Aethelred the Unready

Question 1

Why was there a crisis over monasticism?

Answer 1

Grievances from anti-reformers seemed personal (Oswald given see of Worcester over Aelfhere)
Characterised by regionalism
Threatened instaibility - thrown into a confusion

Question 2

Why was there turmoil over Aethelred becoming King?

Answer 2

Edward backed by pro-reformers, became King in 975.
Suspicious death in 978, Aethelred crowned
Aethelred - illegitimate? (mother named as Consort)

Question 3

What did the death of Bloodaxe trigger?

Answer 3

A more co-ordinated Viking approach. Danish construction of fortresses. Armies larger and stronger.

Question 4

What is the importance of Eadric Streona?

Answer 4

Aethelred’s son-in-law
Loyalty changed to Cnut
Executed in London

Question 5

What is the importance of Wulfnoth and Brihtric?

Answer 5

Crime accusations, fleets of ships sent out. Wulfnoth won, burning remaining ships. Loss of royal navy, regional (internal) tensions.

Question 6

What did Aethelred’s paying of tribute signify?

Answer 6

Danegeld (tax for tribute) introduced in 1012
Tax in form of royal treasures, land etc. for tribute
Wealth incentivised Vikings
Around £107,000 given
Lack of victory, poor military and leadership skill?

Question 7

What happened at the Battle of Maldon (988/991)?

Answer 7

988 - Viking defeat by ealdormen Byrhtnoth
991 - Viking victory as revenge
Acted foolishly?
Use of tribute

Question 8

What was the treaty of 991?

Answer 8

Francia and England agree to not allow Vikings to use territory as base.
1002 - Aethelred’s marriage to Emma
Inaffective

Question 9

How did Aethelred deal with Olaf?

Answer 9

990s - Alliance made, Olaf baptised. Took tribute money and became King of Norway

Question 10

How did Sweyn take control of England?

Answer 10

990s - raid with Olaf
1003 - Christian King of Denmark
1009/12 - exploits Thorkell raiding
1013 - campaign to take over England success, Aethelred and family flee to Normandy
1014 - death

Question 11

How did Thorkell change?

Answer 11

1009/12 - raid on England
1011/12 - Archbishop of Canterbury killed, alliance made with Aethelred
1015 - changes allegiance to Cnut

Question 12

How did Cnut solidify his position in England?

Answer 12

1014 - replace Sweyn with Harold
1015 - capture of York, alliance with Earl Eric
Saxon leaders conceded to Cnut
Cnut marries Emma

Question 13

How did Aethelred and Edmund deal with the later invasion of Vikings?

Answer 13

Flee to Normandy in 1013 after alliance with Uhtred falls through
1016 - Edmund made King, defeated by Cnut, dies
Sons flee to Hungary, protection of Stephen I

Question 14

How did Aethelred rule England?

Answer 14

It remained similar to his forebears; he introduced a new law code.

Question 15

Why did Aethelred introduce a new law code?

Answer 15

To gain peace and stability, boost trade (economy), more fair and efficient, maintain control over coins and to strengthen the role of the Church.

Question 16

What did the law code: II Aethelred say?

Answer 16

It dealt with the calling of a truce between Aethelred and the Vikings. It set out what to do about the slaying of the other, governing trade with other countries (control shipping), and the paying of tribute.

Question 17

What did the law code: III Aethelred say?

Answer 17

It reinforced what was expected of senior officials and finance: thegns being under the jurisdiction of the King. Fraud with money = death penalty.

Wantage Code: penalties for breach of peace, conduct of ordeals, jury

Question 18

What did the law code: V Aethelred say?

Answer 18

The need to abide by Christian values (drafted by Wulfstan). Continued trend of abiding by a moral code of conduct.

Question 19

What did the law code: VII Aethelred say?

Answer 19

Framed by Wulfstan. God’s help to ward off enemy - penance, paying alms and extra taxes. Desperate tone, emphasis on atoning for sins.

Question 20

What did the law code: VIII Aethelred say?

Answer 20

Drafted by Wulfstan. Emphasise the importance and sanctity of the role of the Church. Pay homage to previous kings (attack on Aethelred’s failures?)

Question 21

What was the significance of Aethelred’s law codes?

Answer 21

Revealed major part of strategy with Vikings, ability to be an innovator (jury system), importance of King attached to Church (reform movement support)

Question 22

How important was Wulfstan the Homilist in aiding cultural change?

Answer 22

• Produced a large number of sermons/homilies - Sermon of the Wolf = England’s suffering due to immoral and apathetic behaviour of the English
• Used idiosyncratic prose style - sophisticated literary and unusual technique = ‘revolutionary writer’ (unable to determine how much of a change occurred)
• Evidence in law codes of his influence on Saxon political life
• Institutes of Polity - abide of collection of tithes to flourish
• Canons of Edgar - obligations and duties of parish priests, need to meet on regular basis for religious concerns, influenced by Carolingian canonical law
• Distributed widely, not fully original

Question 23

How important was Aelfric in aiding cultural change?

Answer 23

• Produced series of sermons/homilies - Sermones Catholici = inform (vernacular) of the Antichrist, deal with Vikings by returning to a Christian way
• Produced religious writings on lives of saints - a just war, history of English monasticism, interpretation of dreams and Danish paganism
• Compilation of a Latin primer (first of its kind?), similar produced on vernacular
• Series of letters sent to clergy explaining duty under canonical law (expert of Church procedures etc.)
  Driving force behind any cultural change, readable and understandable, in high demand

Question 24

Why was Aethelweard’s translation of the Chronicle important?

Answer 24

• Contained additional material not in earlier versions (Continental affairs)
• Represents a family history, first of its kind in England
• Independent view of Aethelweard rather than original chroniclers
• Written in Latin (style criticised by William of Malmsebury)
  Shows writers could write free from influence of a patron. Less a form of propaganda than the original versions of the Chronicle.

Question 25

What was St. Brice’s Day massacre?

Answer 25

1002 - planned mass killings of all Danes (perceived threat on his life). May have been what caused Sweyn to come to England (revenge for his sister being killed allegedly).

Question 26

Where were Vikings able to settle during Aethelred’s reign?

Answer 26

Isle of Wight

Question 27

What can be said about Aethelred’s attempt to build an English fleet?

Answer 27

Failure of effort. Support for a more vigourous resistance from the English never sustained.

Question 28

What did the period of 993-1006 show?

Answer 28

A more stable period of time, a flowering of literature (works by Ælfric, Byrhtferth, Wulfstan of Winchester), manuscripts, and other artwork.