4.4.2
Aethelred the Unready
Aethelred the Unready
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.
1Changes in Britain from Stone Age to Iron Age
1.1Introduction to Prehistory
1.2Changes through the Prehistoric Ages
2The Roman Empire & its Impacts on Britain
2.1The Roman Empire
2.2Roman Britain
3Britain's Settlement by Anglo-saxons & Scots
3.1Life After the Romans
4The Vikings & Anglo-Saxon Struggle for England
4.1Who were the Vikings?
4.2Viking Raids in Britain
4.3Vikings Settlements
Jump to other topics
1Changes in Britain from Stone Age to Iron Age
1.1Introduction to Prehistory
1.2Changes through the Prehistoric Ages
2The Roman Empire & its Impacts on Britain
2.1The Roman Empire
2.2Roman Britain
3Britain's Settlement by Anglo-saxons & Scots
3.1Life After the Romans
4The Vikings & Anglo-Saxon Struggle for England
4.1Who were the Vikings?
4.2Viking Raids in Britain
4.3Vikings Settlements
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