Æthelred the Unready

Æthelred II (13 March 968 — 23 April 1016) nicknamed the Unready was the King of England twice. The first time was from 978 until in 1013 where a Viking king, Sweyn I of Denmark, overthrew him. The second time was from Sweyn's death in 1014 until Aethelred's death in 1016. He was the son of Edgar and his second wife, Ælfthryth. He succeeded his older half-brother, Edward II, in 978 when Aethelred was only ten years old. During his reign, he had to fight against Viking invaders in England.

His nickname "Unready" means "Unread" which was a nickname for "Poorly Counseled" or "Poorly Advised," because he was given poor council when he solicited opinions from his advisors.

• Family tree of Ethelred the Unready Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
• Documentary - The Making of England: Aethelred the Unready Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
• Early British Kingdoms Archived 2011-05-16 at the Wayback Machine
• Britannia : Monarchs Archived 2011-05-16 at the Wayback Machine