Aethelred the Unready

Aethelred the Unready was an English king who reigned from 966 to 1016 AD. His nickname, "the Unready," comes from the Old English word "unræd," meaning ill-advised or poorly advised, suggesting he struggled with effective leadership. He faced significant challenges, including invasions by the Danes, and his reign was marked by political instability and warfare. Aethelred attempted various strategies to repel the Norse invaders, including paying them off with large sums of money, known as Danegeld. Ultimately, his reign ended in defeat, and he is often remembered for his reluctance to take decisive action against his enemies.