# Æthelred the Unready - King of England

URL: https://english-history.com/rulers/aethelred-the-unready
Reign: 978 - 1013; 1014 - 1016
Born-Died: c. 966 - 1016
Dynasty: House of Wessex
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86thelred_the_Unready

Æthelred's long reign was dominated by escalating Danish invasions and costly attempts to buy peace. Sweyn Forkbeard displaced him in 1013, but Æthelred returned after Sweyn's death before the final Danish conquest under Cnut.

## Succession
- Preceded by: [Edward the Martyr](https://english-history.com/rulers/edward-the-martyr)
- Succeeded by: [Sweyn Forkbeard](https://english-history.com/rulers/sweyn-forkbeard)

## Timeline events during this reign
- 978 - [Edward the Martyr is killed](https://english-history.com/timeline/978-edward-the-martyr-is-killed)
- 991 - [Battle of Maldon](https://english-history.com/timeline/991-battle-of-maldon)
- 994 - [Sweyn Forkbeard and Olaf Tryggvason attack London](https://english-history.com/timeline/994-sweyn-forkbeard-and-olaf-tryggvason-attack-london)
- 1002 - [St Brice's Day massacre](https://english-history.com/timeline/1002-st-brice-s-day-massacre)
- 1013 - [Sweyn Forkbeard conquers England](https://english-history.com/timeline/1013-sweyn-forkbeard-conquers-england)
- 1014 - [Sweyn dies and Æthelred returns](https://english-history.com/timeline/1014-sweyn-dies-and-aethelred-returns)
- 1016 - [Battle of Assandun](https://english-history.com/timeline/1016-battle-of-assandun)
- 1016 - [Cnut becomes king of England](https://english-history.com/timeline/1016-cnut-becomes-king-of-england)