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Born

981

Born At

Died

30 Nov 1016

Buried At

Glastonbury

Royal House

Wessex

Titles Include: King of England

dmund II (Ironside) became King after the death of his father AEthelred II in London. He married Eldgyth in 1015. In 1016 Edmund fought off an invasion of London by Canute Sveinsson and as a reward the citizens of London proclaimed Edmund King. Unfortunately the Witan chose Canute as king and a peace agreement was formed between the two sides after several battles that had no real outcome. It was during these battles that Edmund received his title of Ironside. Edmund was given control of Wessex and Canute was allowed to control Mercia and Northumbria. Part of the agreement was that whoever died first should give their territory to the other. In November 1016 Edmund died and so Canute took total control. Did Canute have Edmund murdered?

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Preceded by
AETHELRED (II The Unready, King of the English 978-1013, 1014-1016)

Succeeded by
CANUTE (King of England 1016-1035)

Family Tree Details

Father:	AETHELRED (II The Unready, King of the English 978-1013, 1014-1016) (b.967 - d.1016)
Mother:	Aelfgifu

EDMUND (II Ironside, King of the English 1016) (b.981 - d.1016)
         +Ealdgyth (b.963 - d.1017)
                  =Edward (The Exile) (b.1016 - d.1057)
                           +Agatha (of Brunswick)
                                    =Edgar (The Aetheling) ( - d.1126)
                                    =Margaret (St. Margaret of Scotland) ( - d.1093)
                                             +Malcolm (III, Scottish King 1058-1093) ( - d.1093)
                                                      =Edgar (King of Scotland 1097-1107) ( - d.1107)
                                                      =Alexander (I, King of Scotland 1107-1124) (b.1077 - d.1124)
                                                      =David (I, King of Scotland 1124-1153) (b.1085 - d.1153)
                                                      |        +Matilda (Wife of David I)
                                                      |                 =Henry (Earl of Huntingdon) ( - d.1152)
                                                      =Matilda Edith (of Scotland)
                                                      |        +Plantagenet, Henry (I, King of England 1100-1135) (b.1068 - d.1135)
                                                      |                 =William (Adelin) (b.1103 - d.1120)
                                                      |                 =Matilda (Daughter of Henry I) (b.1102 - d.1167)
                                                      =Mary (Daughter of Malcolm III)

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Mini Timeline

1015	Qtr 3	Canute returns to England
		Canute invaded England taking control of Mercia and Northumbria. Aethelred was ill and England was in the hands of Edmund (Ironside).
1016	Apr	Edmund II (Ironside) becomes King
		Edmund II became king at the death of his father Aethelred II in London. London chose prince Edmund as king but it was short lived as the Southampton Witan chose Canute, who then invaded England.
	Apr	Canute attempts to take the throne
		Canute advanced on London for a fight with Aethelred but Aethelred died in the same month. London accepted Edmund Ironside as their ruler. Canute would have to defeat Edmund if he was to become King of England.¹
	May	Canute attacks London
		Edmund had gone to Wessex to accept the support of the people there as the new king of England but Canute had reached London and was besieging its inhabitants. The Londoners held out against Canute's attempts to defeat them while Edmund travelled back to help. Edmund's army grew as he advanced towards Canute. The English won a couple of battles forcing the Danes to retreat and regroup but the Danes won the important battle at Ashingdon.²
	Oct 18	Treaty between Canute and Edmund
		Canute defeated Edmund Ironside at Ashingdon and a treaty was signed leaving Edmund with only the area of Wessex.
	Nov 30	Canute becomes King of England
		Edmund Ironside died only a month after the treaty with Canute. Canute then became King of England.
1067	Mar	William returns to Normandy
		William returned to Normandy taking as guests Edgar the Aetheling (the grandson of Edmund Ironside), Stigand (Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earls of Mercia and Northumbria and the brothers Edwin and Morcar.³