King Aethelred, II, of England

Notes:

Note: In the face of Danish raids, he was forced to pay huge tributes(Danegeld) to
the enemy. He was driven into exile by Sweyn but returned afterhis death.
Died during Canutes invasion of England.
Burke says he died 1010. His tomb was lost when the old St Paulswas destroyed
in the great fire of London.


"Ethelred or Aethelred II, the Unready (0968?-1016), king ofEngland, son of Eadgar and Aelfthryth, was born either in 0968or 0969, for he was scarcely seven years old when his father died in 0975. His defilement of the baptismal font is said to have caused Dunstan to foretell the overthrow of the nation during his reign.....On the death of his father a strong party was in favour of electing him king instead of his brother Eadward. He lived with his mother at Corfe, and Eadward had come to see him when he was slain there. The child wept bitterly at his brother's death, and it was said that his mother was enraged at his tears, and, not having a scourge at hand, beat him soseverely with some candles that in after life he would never have candles carried before him, a story that, foolish as it is,may perhaps imply that he was badly brought up in childhood. He succeeded his brother as king, and was crowned by Dunstan at Kingston on 14 April 978.....Aethelred was good-looking and ofgraceful manners; his 'historical surname,' the Unready, does not imply that he lacked energy or resource, but rede, or counsel. He was by no means deficient in ability, nor was he especially slothful; indeed, throughout his reign he constantly displayed considerable vigour, but it was generally misdirected,for he was impulsive, passionate, cruel, and apt to lean on favourites, whom he did not choose for any worthy reasons; he had no principles of action, and was guided by motives of temporary expediency.....It is probable that by this date [986]Aethelred had been some time married to his first wife,Aelfgifu.......Cnut was preparing to lay siege to the city[London] when Aethelred died there on St. George's day, 23April, 1016. He was buried in St. Paul's. By his first wife,Aelfgifu, he had seven sons, Aethelstan, who died 1016;Ecgberht, who died about 1005; Eadmund, who succeeded him;Eadred; Eadwig, a young man of noble character and great popularity, who was banished by Cnut and was slain by his orderin 1017; Eadgar; and Eadward; and appraently three daughters,Sulfhild, married to Ulfcytel, ealdorman of East Anglia;Eadgyth, married to Eadris Streona; and Aelfgifu, married to Earl Uhtred...."

Aethelred married Queen of Mercia Aelfigifu Gunnarsson in 985 in Wessex, England, United Kingdom. Aelfigifu (daughter of Duke of Normandy Richard de Normandy, I and Gonnor De Crepon) was born about 963 in Wessex, England, United Kingdom; died in Feb 1001/02 in Winchester, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Aelfgifu was born in in England, United Kingdom.
2. King Eadmund, II, of England was born in 989 in Wessex, England, United Kingdom; died on 30 Nov 1016 in London, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom; was buried in Glastonbury Abbey, Somersetshire, England, United Kingdom.
3. GODGIFU Goda
4. Prince Eldred, of England was born in 990 in Wessex, England, United Kingdom.
5. Ingelric, of England was born about 1006 in London, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom.
6. Princess Elfgifu ferch Aethelred, of England was born in 997 in Wessex, England, United Kingdom.

Aethelred married Emma Or Edburga Of Normandy in 1002. Emma was born about 982 in Normandy, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Princess Adgina, of England