Sidenote: Duke William] From the moment of their settlement on the Frankish coast, the Normans had been jealously watched by the English kings; and the anxiety of Æthelred for their friendship set a Norman woman on the English throne.
As Æthelred drew to manhood some chance descents on the coast told of this fresh stir in the North, and the usual result of the northman's presence was seen in new risings among the Welsh.
The marriage of Emma with Æthelred brought about a close political connexion between the two countries.
With their local position they took up the feudal claims of independence; and Eadric, whom Æthelred raised to be ealdorman of Mercia, became a power that overawed the Crown.
His aim throughout his reign was to free himself from the dictation of the great nobles, and it was his indifference to their "rede" or counsel that won him the name of "Æthelred the Redeless.
In the period which follows the accession of Æthelred we are still aided by these collections of royal Laws and Charters, and the English Chronicle becomes of great importance.
Kings as weak as Æthelred could drive ealdormen into exile and could replace them by fresh nominees.
The laws of Æthelred which provide for the protection and regulation of foreign trade only recognize a state of things which grew up under Eadgar.
Even London was forced at last to give way, and Æthelred fled over-sea to a refuge in Normandy.
The aim of the northmen was to rouse again the hostility of the Welsh, but while Ælfred held Exeter against their fleet, Eadward and Æthelred caught their army near the Severn and overthrew it with a vast slaughter at Buttington.
If Oswald's charters create such a tenure, what shall we say of the numerous charters whereby Edred, Edwy, Edgar and Æthelred grant land to their thegns in consideration of fealty and obedience?
Still we can see nothing improbable in the supposition that Æthelred issued the writ ascribed to him and that what he said in it was substantially true.
A writ of similar import, which Kemble has accepted, was issued by Æthelred the Unready[1641].
King Alfred, Abp Plegmund and Æthelred ealdorman of the Mercians held a moot 'de instauratione urbis Londoniae.
In 883 Æthelred ealdorman of the Mercians with the consent of King Alfred freed the lands of Berkeley minster from such parts of the king's gafol or feorm as had until then been unredeemed.
But the wise men seem to have violated three solemn books which they themselves or their predecessors had attested, and we can but say with king Æthelred 'quam rem si iuste aut iniuste fecerint ipsi sciant[932].
We have a writ from Æthelred the Unready, and a remarkable writ it is.
Eadward, son of Æthelred by Ymma of Normandy, had lived in his mother's country during the greater part of his life.
Then the under-king Burhred called in the aid of his over-lord, Æthelred of Wessex, who came to his assistance with a levy.
And on this ilk year forth-fared Æthelred (he was ealdorman on Devon) four weeks ere Ælfred king.
At London Æthelred was waiting; and for a time the town held out.
For two years Æthelred carried on a desultory war with the intruders, and then died, leaving it undecided.
This ordinance is placed by Thorpe between the laws of Æthelred and those of Cnut.
It may be marked that in the English army King Æthelred is set against the Danish Kings, and his brother the Ætheling Ælfred against the Jarls.
Cnut therefore was, what Æthelred had wished to be, really master of his kingdom.
Plunderings went on as usual, and Æthelred had no resource but to pay money to the plunderers to buy a short respite.
In Normandy there were two English Ethelings, Ælfred and Eadward, the sons of Æthelred by Emma, who seem to have thought that the absence of Harthacnut gave them a chance of returning to England.
The English Witenagemot sent for Æthelred to return.
In =988= Dunstan died, and Æthelred had no longer a wise adviser by his side.
It would have been difficult for Æthelred to overpower the ealdormen even if he had had no other enemies to deal with.
In reality that happened in France which Æthelred had been trying to prevent in England.
As long as St Dunstan lived, Æthelred was not so bad as he afterwards became.
The king who is spoken of was Æthelred who was called the Unready, which word means without counsel, and then of ill-counsel.
The above list will hopefully give you a few useful examples demonstrating the appropriate usage of "thelred" in a variety of sentences. We hope that you will now be able to make sentences using this word.
