Edmund Ironside

Born around 991 to Æthelred the Unready, Edmund emerged from obscurity in the late 1000s, close to his brother Æthelstan, who left him the sword of Offa and estates in the Danelaw when he died in 1014. When King Æthelred permitted the execution of Edmund's allies Sigeferth and Morcar, Edmund revolted - illegally marrying Sigeferth's widow, occupying the Five Boroughs, and issuing charters on which he called himself king. Cnut's invasion in summer 1015 ended the revolt, and attempts to raise armies with his father and Eadric Streona collapsed in mutual mistrust. Æthelred died on 23 April 1016; Edmund claimed the throne and fought Cnut in four battles at Penselwood, Sherston, Brentford, and possibly Otford, gaining ground until the Battle of Assandun, where Eadric Streona's flight caused a decisive defeat. Forced to partition the kingdom at Alney, Edmund kept Wessex while Cnut took everything else. He died on 30 November after 222 days, and Cnut swept up the rest.