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Accession of Edmund Ironside

Type Event Region Europe Time 1016

After Æthelred II died in April 1016, his son Edmund Ironside was acclaimed king of England in London.…

Timeline

  1. 1016London · LondonKing Æthelred II of Wessex died in London, ending his turbulent 38-year reign marked by repeated Danish invasions, forced exile, and restoration. English royal authority had been severely weakened, and the succession question was especially urgent with Cnut's army at hand.
  2. 1016London · LondonEdmund was acclaimed king in London, while another portion of the witan gathered at Southampton chose Cnut. After accession, Edmund led his army against the invading Danes, winning engagements at Penselwood, Sherston, and elsewhere, earning the epithet 'Ironside'.
  3. 1016England · EnglandCnut invaded again in 1015, and after Edmund's accession in 1016 the two fought a back-and-forth war. Edmund won repeatedly at Penselwood, Sherston, and elsewhere, and at one point lifted Cnut's siege of London, but the defection of Eadric Streona, Earl of Mercia, in battle severely weakened the English forces, setting the stage for the disaster at Assandun.

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