Chapter XXII: Ethelred the Redeless

Imbecility of this king 374

Severe criticisms of the Saxon Chronicle on his
management of affairs 375

982–1016. Calendar of thirty-four years of Danish
invasions 376

991. Lay of Brihtnoth, hero of the battle of
Maldon 378

Saxon armour 381

Payments of tribute to the Danes: _gafol_
(commonly called Danegeld) 382

992. Beginning of the “inexplicable treasons” of
Ealdorman Elfric 383

994. Sweyn and Olaf Tryggvason invade England 384

Bishop Alphege ambassador to Olaf 384

995–1000. Subsequent career of Olaf Tryggvason 385

1000. Norway conquered by Denmark and Sweden 385

Ethelred ravages Cumberland 385

1002. Marriage of Ethelred to Emma of Normandy 386

Massacre of Danes on St. Brice’s Day 387

1008. Taxation ordered for building of ships 388

1009. Treasons of Ealdorman Edric Streona 388

London vainly attacked by the Danes 389

1011. Canterbury sacked by the Danes 389

1012. Archbishop Alphege martyred 390

1013. Sweyn and his son Canute land in England 391

The English submit. Ethelred flees to Normandy 392

1014. Death of Sweyn. Return of Ethelred 393

1014. Canute’s brutal mutilation of hostages 394

1015. More villainies of Edric Streona 394

1016. Edmund Ironside, son of Ethelred, continues the
war 395

Death of Ethelred. Accession of Edmund II.
(Ironside) 396

Series of battles between Edmund and Canute 396

Edmund defeated at Assandune 397

Partition of the kingdom. Death of Edmund 397