Medieval Kings and Queens
Kings and queens have ruled Britain since the Romans. Some were very successful, powerful warriors in their own right, expanding their kingdom and governing their subjects with authority. But others were quite the opposite!
King Edmund II Ironside
King Edmund II (Ironside) was the son of Aethelred II the Unready and Aelfgifu, and king of England for just 7 months from April-November 1016. His reign was short and violent, which earned him the epithet ‘Ironside’, after resisting a vast Danish invasion, led by Cnut the Great and 10,000 men. Despite his valour, Edmund was eventually forced to share English rule with Cnut, after the decisive defeat at Assandun. Edmund died soon after, possibly assassinated, and was succeeded by Cnut the Great.