979 - 1013
Born: c968
Father: Edgar the Peaceful, King of England
Mother: Aelfthryth (Elfrida)
Reigned: 979-1013 (deposed) and 1014-1016
Died: 23 April 1016, London, England
He was married 3 times and had 16 children including
Edmund II Ironside, King of England, (born 989)
and Edward (St.) the Confessor, King of
England, (born c1002).
In the face of Danish raids, he was forced to pay huge
tributes (Danegeld) to the enemy. His reprisal was the St. Brides massacre
in which all Danes living in England were killed.
The Danish fleet was often based in Greenwich as a base to
attack London. The Archbishop of Canterbury (Alfege) was murdered in
Greenwich by a Danish invading force on Easter Day 1012.
He was driven into exile in Normandy by Sweyn but returned
after his death. Died during Cnut's invasion of England.
Time Line
1002 - 13 November (St. Brice's Day) - Ethelred ordered
the massacre of Danes living in England
1002/3? - Birth of Edward (the Confessor) - Sweyn
Forkbeard invaded England (again)
1007: Danes bought off from England by Ethelred - Ship
money first levied in England
1009: Danish invasion of England
1012: 19 April - St. Alphege (954 - 1012) martyred on
Easter Sunday, on spot of St. Alfege Church in Greenwich.
1013: Sweyn Forkbeard invaded England (again) - Ethelred
fled to Norway
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