The Reign of Aethelred II, King of the English, Emperor of all the Peoples of Britain, 978-1016 (BAR)

King Aethelred II (978-1016), known as the Unready, is a relatively unknown English monarch. The exploration of Aethelreds reign in this volume complements a study undertaken by the author in an earlier book about the Scandinavian invasions of England during Aethelreds reign; a study which followed the careers of the Danish warlords Swein Forkbeard and Thorkell the Tall to explain the complex relationship between Scandinavian armies and the English establishment. The Aetheling Aethelred, who was to reign as Aethelred II, king of the English, emperor of all the peoples of Britain from 978 until 1016, was born c.968. Chronicle evidence suggests a date between March and July of that year. Although it is convenient to use the word England to describe the territory ruled directly by King Aethelred and his father, Edgar, it is worth remembering that Aethelred regarded himself as the ruler of peoples; hence he was king of the English and emperor [basileus] of all the peoples of Britain.