We Are History Ethelred the Unready
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May 4, 2020 Discover the tumultuous reign of Æthelred the Unready, a Saxon king facing relentless Viking invasions and internal chaos. Explore how he established early forms of governance, including the jury system. Delve into the gripping stories of betrayal, like Edward the Martyr's murder, and the chilling St. Brice's Day Massacre. Learn about Æthelred's dynamic marriages, his conflicts with Sweyn Forkbeard, and ultimately, his legacy in shaping Anglo-Saxon England.
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Name Was A Political Pun
- The epithet "Unready" is a pun on Æthelred's name meaning "well-advised" and "unreadiness" meaning "badly advised."
- The nickname reflects contemporary wordplay, not literal incompetence.
Child King Installed After A Suspicious Murder
- Æthelred became king as a child after Edward the Martyr was killed at Corfe Castle, an event tied to his mother's faction.
- Contemporary sources link the murder to dynastic rivalry and never punished the perpetrators.
Danelaw Was Settlement, Not Just Raids
- The Danelaw represented large Danish settlements across eastern England rather than simple raiding bands.
- Over time Vikings shifted from raiding to settling and integrating as farmers.
