The Sins of our Fathers, Viking Invasions

With the death of both Sweyn and Aethelred, the question of England’s fate remained unanswered. As Canute had rampaged through the country, Edmund Ironside fought alongside his father. Crowned king on 25th April 1016, he looked to become a new Alfred and bring his country back from the brink.

This was a more interesting match-up than Aethelred the doddering tyrant and Sweyn the vengeful thug. Both men were intelligent, experienced, and adept soldiers, and, at least for their time, thoughtful leaders. The main difference between them, as things stood in 1016, was that Edmund was clearing up his late father’s mess, whilst Canute had inherited his old man’s success.

Edmund wins the first round, routing Canute’s men at the Battle of Penselwood. Then at Sherston, the Vikings attempted a dastardly ruse. Eadric, now fighting for Canute, kills a man and holds up a bloody sword, shouting to the Saxons:

“Fly wretches! Fly! Behold, your king was slain by this sword!”

Edmund responds by taking off his helmet, proving to his men that he is still alive. Spurred on, the Saxons attack. 

From this, Edmund consolidated rule over Wessex and retained London, but East Anglia and Northumbria remained ruled by Canute. It became clear that victory rested in Mercia, and the notoriously slippery Eadric would be kingmaker. Both men began diplomatic overtures, and Eadric finally agreed to fight for Edmund. 

Their last clash came in October 1016 at the Battle of Ashingdon. As Edmund and Canute prepared to fight, Eadric either switched sides or failed to turn up (it’s really Edmund’s fault for trusting a word out of this guy’s mouth). Canute snatched a victory, but by this point, 1016 had seen five major battles, and the realm was exhausted. 

Canute didn’t have the stomach for a long campaign in Wessex, so the two kings came to a gentleman’s agreement: Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia would go to Canute, and Edmund would rule as king of Wessex and London. The English crown would go to whoever outlived the other. Just a month later, Edmund Ironside died, and Canute became the second Viking king of all England.