4.4.2

Aethelred the Unready

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Aethelred the Unready

"Unready"

"Unready"

  • King Aethelred was called 'the Unready' because he did not have counsel.
    • He was unwise.
    • This nickname does not mean he was unprepared.
Viking invasions

Viking invasions

  • During the reign of Aethelred, Vikings started to invade and raid England again.
  • The Viking leader Sweyn Forkbeard led many Vikings to England.
    • He wanted to rule parts of England.
St. Brice's Day Massacre

St. Brice's Day Massacre

  • In 1002, King Aethelred ordered the killing of Danes living in England.
    • This was the St. Brice’s Day Massacre.
    • Sweyn Forkbeard's sister, Gunhilda, may have been one of the victims.
  • Instead of making the Vikings afraid of the English, this massacre made Viking attacks worse.
Jump to other topics
1

Changes in Britain from Stone Age to Iron Age

1.1

Introduction to Prehistory

1.1.1Prehistoric Ages & Timelines1.1.2Archaeology & Artefacts1.1.3Discovering Prehistory
1.2

Changes through the Prehistoric Ages

1.2.1Houses through the Prehistoric Ages1.2.2Tool Use through the Prehistoric Ages1.2.3Food through the Prehistoric Ages
1.3

Life in Prehistoric Times

1.3.1Early Farming & Skara Brae1.3.2Rituals & Stonehenge1.3.3Travel & the Beaker Culture1.3.4Trade & the Amesbury Archer1.3.5Tribal Kindoms & Danebury Hillfort1.3.6Art, Culture & the Battersea Shield
2

The Roman Empire & its Impacts on Britain

2.1

The Roman Empire

2.1.1What was the Roman Empire?2.1.2The Roman Army2.1.3Roman Society2.1.4Roman Life2.1.5Gladiators & the Theatre2.1.6Roman Engineering2.1.7Roman Art2.1.8Roman Mythology & Religion
2.2

Roman Britain

2.2.1Julius Caesar Invades Britain2.2.2Emperor Claudius2.2.3Claudius Invades Britain2.2.4Client Rulers2.2.5Queen Boudica's Rebellion2.2.6Caledonia2.2.7Hadrian's Wall2.2.8‘Romanisation’ of Britain: Town Life2.2.9‘Romanisation’ of Britain: Industry & Trade2.2.10‘Romanisation’ of Britain: Religion
3

Britain's Settlement by Anglo-saxons & Scots

3.1

Life After the Romans

3.1.1Roman Withdrawal from Britain3.1.2Immediate Consequences3.1.3Changes in Culture & Society3.1.4Roman Legacy Today3.1.5Scots & Picts
3.2

The Anglo-Saxons

3.2.1Anglo-Saxon Invasions3.2.2Why did the Anglo-Saxons Invade?3.2.3Anglo-Saxon Culture3.2.4Sutton Hoo3.2.5Beowulf3.2.6Anglo-Saxon Tribes3.2.7Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms3.2.8Christian Conversion3.2.9Important People during Christian Conversion
4

The Vikings & Anglo-Saxon Struggle for England

4.1

Who were the Vikings?

4.1.1Where & When Lived the Vikings4.1.2Culture & Beliefs of the Vikings4.1.3Pirate Raids
4.2

Viking Raids in Britain

4.2.1Lindisfarne & The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle4.2.2Danegeld & The Great Heathen Army
4.3

Vikings Settlements

4.3.1Resistance by Alfred the Great4.3.2The Danelaw Boundary4.3.3Vikings in the Danelaw4.3.4Athelstan, the First King of England
4.4

Struggles in the 10th Century

4.4.1Kings after Athelstan4.4.2Aethelred the Unready4.4.3Viking Kings in England4.4.4King Cnut & Emma of Normandy4.4.5Kings after Cnut4.4.6King Edward the Confessor4.4.7The New King

Practice questions on Aethelred the Unready

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  1. 1
    Why was King Aethelred called "the Unready"?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Who led the Vikings to England during Aethelred's reign?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What happened during the St. Brice's Day Massacre?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What did Aethelred think would happen after St. Brice’s Day Massacre?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What was the main result of the St. Brice’s Day Massacre?Multiple choice
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Kings after Athelstan

Viking Kings in England