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EDMUND, or EADMUND (c. 980-1016) , called IRoNsIDE, See also: king of the
See also: English, was the son of ;See also: Ethelred II. by his first wife AElfgifu
.
When Canute invaded See also: England in 'ors, Edmund sought to resist him, but, paralysed by the treachery and See also: desertion of the ealdorman See also: Edric, he could do nothing, and Wessex submitted to the Danish king
.
Next See also: year Canute and Ethic together harried See also: Mercia, while Edmund with infinite difficulty gathered an army
.
Returning into Northumbria, he in his turn harried the districts which' had submitted to the invader, but a See also: march northward by Canute brought about the speedy sub-
See also: mission of Northumbria and the return of Edmund to See also: London
.
The See also: death of ;Ethelred on the 23rd of See also: April 1o16 was followed by a See also: double election to the English See also: crown
.
The citizens of London and those members of the Witan who were See also: present in the city See also: chose Edmund, the rest of the Witan meeting at Southampton elected Canute
.
In the warfare which ensued Edmund fought at the severest disadvantage, for his armies dispersed after every engagement, whatever its issue
.
Canute at once fiercely besieged London, but the citizens successfully resisted all attacks
.
Edmund meanwhile marched through Wessex and received its submission
.
At See also: Pen in See also: Somersetshire he engaged the Danes and defeated them
.
Canute now raised the siege of London and soon afterwards encountered Edmund at Sherston in See also: Wiltshire
.
The See also: battle was indecisive, but Canute marched back to London and See also: left Edmund in possession of Wessex
.
Edmund hastened'after him and relieved London, which he had again besieged . He defeated the Danes at See also: Brentford and again at Otford, and drove them into See also: Sheppey
.
He was now joined by Edric, in conjunction with whom he followed the Danes into See also: Essex, overtaking them at Assandun (or See also: Ashington)
.
In the battle which ensued Edric again played the traitor, and the English were routed with terrible slaughter
.
Edmund retired into See also: Gloucestershire, whither he was followed by Canute
.
He himself was anxious to continue the struggle, but Edric and the Witan persuaded. him to accept a reconciliation
.
At See also: Olney the two rivals swore friendship, and a division of the See also: kingdom was effected—Canute taking the See also: north, Edmund the See also: south
.
Soon afterwards Edmund died (3oth of See also: November ror6), probably from natural causes, 'though later historians hint at foul See also: play
.
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