King Aethelred II (Æthelred or ‘Noble Council’) ('the Unready') was the younger son of Edgar the Peaceful and Aelfthryth, and king of England from 978-1013 and again from 1014-1016. Persistent Viking attacks, poor council and a lack of military ability plagued Aethelred II's reign. He lost the support of those around him, and the morale of the country. He was ultimately acceded by the Viking, Sweyn Forkbeard, who happened to die 3 months later. To which, Aethelred II was recalled to conditionally rule for 2 more years, until his death.

King Edward ('the Martyr') was the eldest son of Edgar the Peaceful and Aethelflaed, and king of England from 975-978. Chaos, rebellion and ill luck dominated Edward's reign. He faced accession disputes, famine and uprising from his father's land grants to the church. Just 2 years into his reign, Edward is murdered at Corfe Castle. Later, the church would recognise him as a saint and a martyr.

King Edgar ('the Peaceful') was the second son of Edmund I and Aelfgifu of Shaftesbury, and king of England from 959-975 and of Mercia from 957-959. An excellent ruler, Edgar achieved peace, stability and prosperity across his kingdom, and faced no invasions from the Vikings. He reformed the church, brought in a new currency and created the counties we know today. But there was a darker side to him, and his affections for women brought out the worst of it.