Ethelred of Wessex, also known as Ethelred the Unready, was a ruler who reigned as the King of Wessex from 978 to 1013 and then again from 1014 to 1016. He was a prominent figure in the history of England during the Viking Age.
Ethelred was born in 968 as the son of King Edgar and his wife Ælfthryth. He ascended the throne at the age of 10 after the murder of his half-brother Edward the Martyr. His reign was plagued by ongoing Viking raids from Scandinavia, which became a significant challenge for his kingdom.
He earned the epithet "the Unready," which is derived from the Old English term "unræd," meaning "ill-counseled" or "without counsel." However, the term should not be interpreted as meaning "unprepared." Rather, it reflects Ethelred's perceived inability to make sound decisions or effectively counter the Viking incursions during his reign.
Ethelred's response to the Viking threat was mainly characterized by paying tribute, known as the "Danegeld," to the Vikings in exchange for peace. However, these payments proved to be ineffective, as the raids continued unabated.
Ultimately, Ethelred's reign came to an end in 1016 when he was forced into exile by the Danish Viking Cnut the Great, who seized the throne. Ethelred died shortly thereafter, leaving behind a complex legacy as a ruler who struggled to defend his kingdom against relentless Viking attacks.
