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Æthelred: The Unready
An imaginative reassessment of Æthelred "the Unready," one of medieval England’s most maligned kings and a major Anglo-Saxon figure
The Anglo-Saxon king Æthelred "the Unready" (978–1016) has long been considered to be inscrutable, irrational, and poorly advised. Infamous for his domestic and international failures, Æthelred was unable to fend off successive Viking raids, leading to the notorious St. Brice’s Day Massacre in 1002, during which Danes in England were slaughtered on his orders. Though Æthelred’s posthumous standing is dominated by his unsuccessful military leadership, his seemingly blind trust in disloyal associates, and his harsh treatment of political opponents, Roach suggests that Æthelred has been wrongly maligned. Drawing on extensive research, Roach argues that Æthelred was driven by pious concerns about sin, society, and the anticipated apocalypse. His strategies, in this light, were to honor God and find redemption. Chronologically charting Æthelred’s life, Roach presents a more accessible character than previously available, illuminating his place in England and Europe at the turn of the first millennium.
The Anglo-Saxon king Æthelred "the Unready" (978–1016) has long been considered to be inscrutable, irrational, and poorly advised. Infamous for his domestic and international failures, Æthelred was unable to fend off successive Viking raids, leading to the notorious St. Brice’s Day Massacre in 1002, during which Danes in England were slaughtered on his orders. Though Æthelred’s posthumous standing is dominated by his unsuccessful military leadership, his seemingly blind trust in disloyal associates, and his harsh treatment of political opponents, Roach suggests that Æthelred has been wrongly maligned. Drawing on extensive research, Roach argues that Æthelred was driven by pious concerns about sin, society, and the anticipated apocalypse. His strategies, in this light, were to honor God and find redemption. Chronologically charting Æthelred’s life, Roach presents a more accessible character than previously available, illuminating his place in England and Europe at the turn of the first millennium.
392 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
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About the author
Levi Roach
8 books58 followersLevi Roach is Associate Professor of medieval history at the University of Exeter. He is the author of Kingship and Consent in Later Anglo-Saxon England (Whitfield Prize 2014 proxime accessit) and Æthelred the Unready (Longman-History Today Prize 2017, Labarge Prize 2017). His next book, Forgery and Memory at the End of the First Millennium, will be published by Princeton University Press in February 2021.
He is presently writing a popular history of the Normans for John Murray (UK) and Pegasus (US). He lives with his wife, daughter and cat in Tiverton, Devon.
He is presently writing a popular history of the Normans for John Murray (UK) and Pegasus (US). He lives with his wife, daughter and cat in Tiverton, Devon.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 22, 2016
What an interesting and rewarding book this is. Aethelred, called in our day "the Unready," (from "unraed," an Old English word meaning, "ill-counseled) has from medieval times had an unsavory and bad reputation. Levi Roach's new work explains the long reign of the maligned king, with much discussion of the many trials and exigencies faced by the king and the people of England from 978 to 1016 CE.
Aethelred came to the throne as a boy, and died in his forties, having lived longer than any of his close male relatives. These early deaths contributed to the difficulties of Aethelred's reign, but were swamped by the problems caused by successive raids and invasions which the Scandinavian vikings inflicted on England. No one, probably, would have been able to withstand the viking hordes, and Aethelred, although he met with some success, ultimately was not able to do so.
Aside from the invasions, there are many interesting parts of this book. Monastic reform was a major preoccupation of the age, and Roach compares and contrasts both reform and the king with events on the European continent and with the major European monarchs. England was both different and no so different from continental circumstances, which was a tantalizing and fascinating part of the discussion. Another discussion was about the evolving view of Christian marriage; even though Rome insisted that marriage was indissoluble, it was not always treated so by European kings, and the push to bring their behavior into compliance with religious teachings took some time to come to fruition.
For anyone interested in medieval history, or British history in particular, this would be a rewarding book to read. It much more fully explains the milieu into which Aethelred was born, and through which he lived, than his rather unfair moniker would lead one to believe. Whether ill-counseled or not, Aethelred was not so much unready as unlucky.
Aethelred came to the throne as a boy, and died in his forties, having lived longer than any of his close male relatives. These early deaths contributed to the difficulties of Aethelred's reign, but were swamped by the problems caused by successive raids and invasions which the Scandinavian vikings inflicted on England. No one, probably, would have been able to withstand the viking hordes, and Aethelred, although he met with some success, ultimately was not able to do so.
Aside from the invasions, there are many interesting parts of this book. Monastic reform was a major preoccupation of the age, and Roach compares and contrasts both reform and the king with events on the European continent and with the major European monarchs. England was both different and no so different from continental circumstances, which was a tantalizing and fascinating part of the discussion. Another discussion was about the evolving view of Christian marriage; even though Rome insisted that marriage was indissoluble, it was not always treated so by European kings, and the push to bring their behavior into compliance with religious teachings took some time to come to fruition.
For anyone interested in medieval history, or British history in particular, this would be a rewarding book to read. It much more fully explains the milieu into which Aethelred was born, and through which he lived, than his rather unfair moniker would lead one to believe. Whether ill-counseled or not, Aethelred was not so much unready as unlucky.
March 12, 2017
"The true story of Aethelred's life is, however, a tragedy; A tale of a ruler who despite energetic - and at times resourceful- efforts could not succeed in bringing his nation the 'peace and victory' they so desperately desired.
What we can say is that Aethelred's reign was too long, to complex and too dynamic to dismiss him as 'incompetent' or even 'unready'; he deserves better, and so do we.
Aethelred may not have been a great or even a good king, but he was not a hopeless one, and the Chronicle's own epitaph perhaps best sums up his reign: 'he held the kingdom with great toil and hardship for the length of his life'
- Levi Roach
What we can say is that Aethelred's reign was too long, to complex and too dynamic to dismiss him as 'incompetent' or even 'unready'; he deserves better, and so do we.
Aethelred may not have been a great or even a good king, but he was not a hopeless one, and the Chronicle's own epitaph perhaps best sums up his reign: 'he held the kingdom with great toil and hardship for the length of his life'
- Levi Roach
August 8, 2018
Fantastic! Not so much a traditional biography as there is little to go on in those terms, but certainly a "life and times of" book. Ared II is commonly known as "Unready" and generally reviled in later sources, even modern ones. Yet he had one of the longest reigns of the period and that during nearly constant Viking incursions and invasion. Roach has written an excellent book detailing the 38 years of the king's reign and filled a hole in modern historiography. If you have an interest in medieval history, especially pre-Norman conquest England, then this is your book.
June 11, 2020
This book is thoroughly researched, but it fails in its main objective to put "flesh and bones" on Aethelred. There simply isnt enough evidence to work with. Roach is left scrutinizing charters and coins to such an extent that it makes for very dry reading in places as the author makes the same points repeatedly throughout. I was excited to read this book but quickly found myself slogging through the pages.
The lack of sources is tough for any medievalist but early medievalists have it rough and Roach does an excellent job with what he has, but one gets the sense that he is trying to write around the topic just to get to the finish line. Biographies of medieval monarchs seem to be trapped in a loop of assessment and reassessment and this work is no different. Roach does do an admirable job of accounting for the king's failings and achievements as he portrays a man who is more unfortunate than incompetent. Aethelred indeed comes off as a sympathetic figure whose reign is plagued by famine, disease and nesrly constant viking raids. That he was not a poor king but a victim of problems way beyond his control is not an original argument by any means, but Roach does make some intriguing observations into his character. My biggest gripe remains the fact that Aethelred is so often lost in this work. I continue to question whether biograhies for such poorly documented figures can ever truly succeed.
Lastly, let this be a lesson to all: when pissed off Vikings come to pillage, prayers aren't going to get the job done.
The lack of sources is tough for any medievalist but early medievalists have it rough and Roach does an excellent job with what he has, but one gets the sense that he is trying to write around the topic just to get to the finish line. Biographies of medieval monarchs seem to be trapped in a loop of assessment and reassessment and this work is no different. Roach does do an admirable job of accounting for the king's failings and achievements as he portrays a man who is more unfortunate than incompetent. Aethelred indeed comes off as a sympathetic figure whose reign is plagued by famine, disease and nesrly constant viking raids. That he was not a poor king but a victim of problems way beyond his control is not an original argument by any means, but Roach does make some intriguing observations into his character. My biggest gripe remains the fact that Aethelred is so often lost in this work. I continue to question whether biograhies for such poorly documented figures can ever truly succeed.
Lastly, let this be a lesson to all: when pissed off Vikings come to pillage, prayers aren't going to get the job done.
July 8, 2022
A balanced analysis of Aethelred the Unready's reign, which places the controversial Anglo-Saxon king in the context of his times, comparing his decisions to those of other European monarchs. There is an absence of biographical material for some aspects of Aethelred's life so some chapters rely heavily on interpreting the presence or absence of key figures as charter witnesses. There's some detailed analysis of Aethelred's relationship with the church around the turn of the millennium and evidence of conflict with the sons from his first marriage. A good resource for the historical context surrounding Aethelred's reign but some aspects of his life remain elusive, more than a thousand years later.
December 19, 2019
Levi Roach’s 2016 biography of Æthelred is the second biography in Yale University Press’s English Monarchs series that I have read for this project, and like Richard Abels’s study this provides me with an additional point from which to assess the book. Given the reputation the series has developed in the half-century since it its inaugural volume was published, it’s one that I approach with an expectation of a high level of scholarship and analysis.
For the rest of my review, click the link:
https://www.bestbritishbios.com/2019/...
For the rest of my review, click the link:
https://www.bestbritishbios.com/2019/...
December 16, 2019
A good biography of Æthelred, rooted in a close examination of the truly contemporary primary sources (charters and coins). Roach paints him as a conscientious king (at least after 990 or so) who did his best, from a medieval viewpoint, to solve the problems besetting his regime--he is still far from being labeled 'the Great', but he may not deserve to be known as 'the Unready' or even as unræd (ill-counseled).
November 15, 2018
Somewhere between hard scholarly writing and customer-level historical biography, Roach examines the life of Æthelred. Roach's thesis is that Æthelred was not as "Unready" as history has made out.
It does get dry at times, but if you are willing to push through, this is a great historical work on one of England's most misunderstood leaders.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
It does get dry at times, but if you are willing to push through, this is a great historical work on one of England's most misunderstood leaders.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
December 10, 2017
An interesting reassessment of a much derided king
I study Late Antiquity and the very early transition to the middle ages. I am retired and do this as a hobby. This is an Academic book by a well thought of British scholar. The book is rather dry and would be impenetrable to someone with no background in the period. Nevertheless, this is a good book, well documented and well written for a scholarly work. It is not a book to take to bed or read while feverish, it should be enjoyed with coffee or tea, sitting upright but comfortably.
I study Late Antiquity and the very early transition to the middle ages. I am retired and do this as a hobby. This is an Academic book by a well thought of British scholar. The book is rather dry and would be impenetrable to someone with no background in the period. Nevertheless, this is a good book, well documented and well written for a scholarly work. It is not a book to take to bed or read while feverish, it should be enjoyed with coffee or tea, sitting upright but comfortably.
February 12, 2020
This is another good book. It covers Æthelræd's reign in a lot of depth. Partly this comes from the length. 325 pages gives a lot of space to go into things, but mostly this is because Roach knows his topic. He also brings a welcome European context where he provides continental comparisons for events here. This is an oft overlooked area, although my enthusiasm for knowing how people coped with roving and rampaging Magyars only extends so far, but in fairness, Roach never got close to straining that.
The first chapter tees up the reign by showing how some of the attributes of it were rooted in the events of Edward the Martyr's time and indeed, go back to Edgar's rule. It then eventually takes us to the death of Æthelræd (rather than Edmund Ironside), using a multi source approach. The ASC forms part of this (obviously), but it is far from central. Instead, Charters, legislation, sermons and religious tracts are the mainspring to it all. This worked very nicely. The sources are dealt with extremely well, with a lot being gleaned from them. It's also good to see Latin and Old English in the footnotes, but translations in the main text and this adds a lot to the readability.
There are a number of areas where Roach goes to town and you get a very detailed and involved investigation. These are all a joy. They include: the Abingdon charter of 993, the Battle of Maldon, the penance years of Æthelræd and the circumstances surrounding the capture of Canterbury. You read these and come away much more knowledgable than before. I especially enjoyed the line about the vikings taking to their heels (or keels). Above all, though, Roach brings out the increasing sense of desperation as events spiralled out of control for Æthelræd.
There were a couple of things I wasn't that sold on, such as Sweyn possibly knowing that the reeve at Exeter was a Norman and so deliberately striking there to weaken the Norman alliance. That felt like a bit of a reach. Also the case of Wulfbald showing that royal justice was effective in this instance is not that convincing. He ignored four royal commands, there is no evidence he paid his wergild and he was still in possession of the lands at his time of death and to point out that the lands eventually went to the king some years later doesn't change this.
I didn't really care much for the opening of Chapter 4, which began with a fictionalised scene of Æthelræd acting the penitent at Rochester. It may have happened and it was well written, but it's not history.
This is a good book and it's a pretty easy read. Roach makes a good case for Æthelræd not being hopeless.
Three things you'll take away from this book:
1, just how much can be deduced from one charter.
2, the Sermon of the Wolf was something of an ongoing project and may originate to 1009 as it fits more with the events of that year.
3, how despite various disasters, the political nation stayed loyal to Æthelræd.
The first chapter tees up the reign by showing how some of the attributes of it were rooted in the events of Edward the Martyr's time and indeed, go back to Edgar's rule. It then eventually takes us to the death of Æthelræd (rather than Edmund Ironside), using a multi source approach. The ASC forms part of this (obviously), but it is far from central. Instead, Charters, legislation, sermons and religious tracts are the mainspring to it all. This worked very nicely. The sources are dealt with extremely well, with a lot being gleaned from them. It's also good to see Latin and Old English in the footnotes, but translations in the main text and this adds a lot to the readability.
There are a number of areas where Roach goes to town and you get a very detailed and involved investigation. These are all a joy. They include: the Abingdon charter of 993, the Battle of Maldon, the penance years of Æthelræd and the circumstances surrounding the capture of Canterbury. You read these and come away much more knowledgable than before. I especially enjoyed the line about the vikings taking to their heels (or keels). Above all, though, Roach brings out the increasing sense of desperation as events spiralled out of control for Æthelræd.
There were a couple of things I wasn't that sold on, such as Sweyn possibly knowing that the reeve at Exeter was a Norman and so deliberately striking there to weaken the Norman alliance. That felt like a bit of a reach. Also the case of Wulfbald showing that royal justice was effective in this instance is not that convincing. He ignored four royal commands, there is no evidence he paid his wergild and he was still in possession of the lands at his time of death and to point out that the lands eventually went to the king some years later doesn't change this.
I didn't really care much for the opening of Chapter 4, which began with a fictionalised scene of Æthelræd acting the penitent at Rochester. It may have happened and it was well written, but it's not history.
This is a good book and it's a pretty easy read. Roach makes a good case for Æthelræd not being hopeless.
Three things you'll take away from this book:
1, just how much can be deduced from one charter.
2, the Sermon of the Wolf was something of an ongoing project and may originate to 1009 as it fits more with the events of that year.
3, how despite various disasters, the political nation stayed loyal to Æthelræd.
July 11, 2017
British history is full of strange figures. Aethelred the Unready is one who may have received undeserved approbation by posterity. At least that is the strategy Levi Roach follows in Aethelred the Unready.
In six chapters, an introduction, and a conclusion, Levi Roach presses his case that Aethelred is more competent than portrayed in general histories. Chapter one digs into his father's court, his mother's role in the court and the milieu of Aethelred's childhood. Chapter 2 continues his childhood after his father's death, his brother's rule and death, and his ascension to the throne. Chapters 3 through 6 covers his reign, digging into all possible sources of information (charters, The Chronicle, sermons, and various archival material, etc). Roach lays the groundwork of his argument in the Introduction and then, in the Conclusion, he presents the fruit of his scholarship and argues that while Aethelred was not successful in combating Viking invasions, it was not because of incompetency of the king, but instead a combination of bad counsel, in-fighting at court, competent opponents, and sheer bad luck. Ultimately, the reader need to look at the evidence and make up his/her mind regarding King Aethelred.
In six chapters, an introduction, and a conclusion, Levi Roach presses his case that Aethelred is more competent than portrayed in general histories. Chapter one digs into his father's court, his mother's role in the court and the milieu of Aethelred's childhood. Chapter 2 continues his childhood after his father's death, his brother's rule and death, and his ascension to the throne. Chapters 3 through 6 covers his reign, digging into all possible sources of information (charters, The Chronicle, sermons, and various archival material, etc). Roach lays the groundwork of his argument in the Introduction and then, in the Conclusion, he presents the fruit of his scholarship and argues that while Aethelred was not successful in combating Viking invasions, it was not because of incompetency of the king, but instead a combination of bad counsel, in-fighting at court, competent opponents, and sheer bad luck. Ultimately, the reader need to look at the evidence and make up his/her mind regarding King Aethelred.
April 14, 2023
I’ve read plenty of books in the Yale English Monarch series so far. Mainly every single one from Aethelstan to Henry III except for the older books on William & Edward the Confessor. Roach’s book on Athelred the Unready is one of my favorites.
I wouldn’t say it necessarily does the figure of Aethelred justice, but does a great job really explaining why everything happened the way it did and understanding the turmoil of the time. Doing it’s best to explain why Aethelred acted the way he did and perhaps why his rule is quite tarnished.
Definitely recommend if wanting a further look into what was a period of immense change in English history. Only of course to be superseded by the Norman Conquest not to far in the future.
I wouldn’t say it necessarily does the figure of Aethelred justice, but does a great job really explaining why everything happened the way it did and understanding the turmoil of the time. Doing it’s best to explain why Aethelred acted the way he did and perhaps why his rule is quite tarnished.
Definitely recommend if wanting a further look into what was a period of immense change in English history. Only of course to be superseded by the Norman Conquest not to far in the future.
October 23, 2023
Was it worth to read about Æthelred: The Unready? The answer: For Historicans, Yes! Non-historican, No!
Let me be clear with this, I like the way it's described, but I do not like that it comes from a different perspectives even though it has to be very neutral description.... the author seems to defend the kings dark past, but honestly, its not that nessescary to defend... we all know what happened to those danes, who were unharmed and brutally killed during st. Brice day massacre....
But the history continues and he still not forgotten, danes would have him forgotten, but danes historicans would not. The English historicans will have him remembered excluding the english people.... because they seem him as a 'hero'....
4,1 stars here
Let me be clear with this, I like the way it's described, but I do not like that it comes from a different perspectives even though it has to be very neutral description.... the author seems to defend the kings dark past, but honestly, its not that nessescary to defend... we all know what happened to those danes, who were unharmed and brutally killed during st. Brice day massacre....
But the history continues and he still not forgotten, danes would have him forgotten, but danes historicans would not. The English historicans will have him remembered excluding the english people.... because they seem him as a 'hero'....
4,1 stars here
January 26, 2021
Looking back a thousand years is a challenge. Levi Roach does a pretty good job with the documents and other evidence that remains. I got a good idea of the era and the situation AEthelred found himself in. My quibble with the book is the sheer amount of repetition. I can't help feeling a more ruthless editor would have helped. At one point the same information was relayed for what felt like the six time in as many pages and had me flicking back and forth to make sure I had just re-read the same page. Teachers say for a student to learn a fact it has to be repeated seven times. I feel like I got that from this book.
January 6, 2019
"Then it happened that King Æthelred died before the ships came. He ended his days on St. George's day; having held his kingdom amidst much tribulation and difficulty as long as his life continued."
Roach’s book was the perfect balance of latest academic thinking and gripping narrative on Æthelred II, ‘The Unready.’ Æthelred was the subject of my undergraduate third year special subject, and to return to him after a few years was a delight. My only criticism is the severe bout of ‘medieval studying’ nostalgia reading it has given me!
Roach’s book was the perfect balance of latest academic thinking and gripping narrative on Æthelred II, ‘The Unready.’ Æthelred was the subject of my undergraduate third year special subject, and to return to him after a few years was a delight. My only criticism is the severe bout of ‘medieval studying’ nostalgia reading it has given me!
February 22, 2018
Not the most riveting biography, but very useful for scholars. A bit of a revision of Aethelred's reputation, in presenting him and not nearly as incompetent as previously portrayed, but as the victim of a series of unfortunate circumstances, including court rivalries and the increasing power of the Viking incursions.
July 7, 2020
For such an obscure topic (king), I enjoyed this book. Trying to learn some English history - I decided to look at books dedicated to the rulers. Levi Roach is a very understandable author, despite the fact that his sources are all old English for the most part. I not only comprehended everything here, but his final analysis was an excellent wrap up. Time for Cnut!
March 15, 2020
A great book but not an easy read unless you have great knowledge about the early medieval era but I am glad I give it ago still think it deserves the 5 star rating due to the research and time Levi roach must have had to take on
May 31, 2024
Roach does an excellent job of pulling a narrative of Æthelred's life out of partial sources. He engages in speculation at times, but does it well - this may not be for everybody, but I enjoyed it as a thought exercise.
January 20, 2025
The book tries to (and in my opinion succeeds) at rehabilitating Æthelred's image, while post conquest tradition has labelled him as a undisciplined, lazy and incompetent king the Book tries to argue against these claims and remove the label of being "Bad" king from him.
November 20, 2018
A worthy winner of the Longman History Today 2017 book prize. Dr Levi Roach has researched extensively and produced a concise and readable account of early England.
December 31, 2019
This is a well-balanced look at a tragic life.
September 30, 2022
Really well written, gripping and informative 👍
October 19, 2016
I spent an enormous amount of time trying to find the title of this book through Netgalley once I decided to review it. The man's name is impossible to write with a regular keyboard. I went the entire book thinking his name was Aethelred, when it is actually Ethelred. I felt a little bit a nitwit when I finally used Google to figure out what I was doing wrong.
1467400908-whoa
It still would not come up. I had to find the email sent to me and use that link to locate it. Apparently, Ethelred's bad luck runs deep.
cover99774-medium
The cover for this book is beautiful. I love it.
An imaginative reassessment of Æthelred "the Unready," one of medieval England’s most maligned kings and a major Anglo-Saxon figure
The Anglo-Saxon king Æthelred "the Unready" (978–1016) has long been considered to be inscrutable, irrational, and poorly advised. Infamous for his domestic and international failures, Æthelred was unable to fend off successive Viking raids, leading to the notorious St. Brice’s Day Massacre in 1002, during which Danes in England were slaughtered on his orders. Though Æthelred’s posthumous standing is dominated by his unsuccessful military leadership, his seemingly blind trust in disloyal associates, and his harsh treatment of political opponents, Roach suggests that Æthelred has been wrongly maligned. Drawing on extensive research, Roach argues that Æthelred was driven by pious concerns about sin, society, and the anticipated apocalypse. His strategies, in this light, were to honor God and find redemption. Chronologically charting Æthelred’s life, Roach presents a more accessible character than previously available, illuminating his place in England and Europe at the turn of the first millennium.
Levi Roach is lecturer at the University of Exeter, and formerly a junior research fellow at St John’s College, Cambridge. He lives in Exeter, UK.
This is a well put together account of Ethelred. He ruled England (I hope I am saying that right) 978-1016, and gives the argument that "The Unready" may have been a lot of bad press.
He was the only Anglo Saxon Monarch to bear that mocking title and was labeled one of England's "bad kings". Labeled also England's first weak King as a dubious honor.
Roach does an excellent job researching Ethelred's past to the point where I have to question - was he really as bad as they say? Or was he following what he felt God would want from him?
The book does an incredible job of not only giving readers the facts in vast detail, but making the road to this knowledge exciting and interesting to read.
This is a fantastic book, and if you are interested in the history of England's Kings, you should pick this book up. It is well worth it.
1467400908-whoa
It still would not come up. I had to find the email sent to me and use that link to locate it. Apparently, Ethelred's bad luck runs deep.
cover99774-medium
The cover for this book is beautiful. I love it.
An imaginative reassessment of Æthelred "the Unready," one of medieval England’s most maligned kings and a major Anglo-Saxon figure
The Anglo-Saxon king Æthelred "the Unready" (978–1016) has long been considered to be inscrutable, irrational, and poorly advised. Infamous for his domestic and international failures, Æthelred was unable to fend off successive Viking raids, leading to the notorious St. Brice’s Day Massacre in 1002, during which Danes in England were slaughtered on his orders. Though Æthelred’s posthumous standing is dominated by his unsuccessful military leadership, his seemingly blind trust in disloyal associates, and his harsh treatment of political opponents, Roach suggests that Æthelred has been wrongly maligned. Drawing on extensive research, Roach argues that Æthelred was driven by pious concerns about sin, society, and the anticipated apocalypse. His strategies, in this light, were to honor God and find redemption. Chronologically charting Æthelred’s life, Roach presents a more accessible character than previously available, illuminating his place in England and Europe at the turn of the first millennium.
Levi Roach is lecturer at the University of Exeter, and formerly a junior research fellow at St John’s College, Cambridge. He lives in Exeter, UK.
This is a well put together account of Ethelred. He ruled England (I hope I am saying that right) 978-1016, and gives the argument that "The Unready" may have been a lot of bad press.
He was the only Anglo Saxon Monarch to bear that mocking title and was labeled one of England's "bad kings". Labeled also England's first weak King as a dubious honor.
Roach does an excellent job researching Ethelred's past to the point where I have to question - was he really as bad as they say? Or was he following what he felt God would want from him?
The book does an incredible job of not only giving readers the facts in vast detail, but making the road to this knowledge exciting and interesting to read.
This is a fantastic book, and if you are interested in the history of England's Kings, you should pick this book up. It is well worth it.
February 23, 2017
I usually don't read non-fiction books, but I really liked this one. The writing flows really well and it's easy to follow. The life and reign of Aethelred was quite fascinating and reading about 10th century England, how it was ruled, what the people of the time were afraid of, and how England fell to the Vikings (at least for a short period of time), was quite fascinating.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in English history.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in English history.
February 20, 2017
Giving up on this one. The content is well sourced, but the book is very hard to read. The author exhaustively explains every single detail of the political climate, making it impossible to achieve any kind of narrative flow. Scholarly biographies just don't have to be unreadable.
January 21, 2017
One for the personal collection. Well researched and highly informative with a focus on the years preceeding Aethelred's reign, especially the growing and influential monastic movement, in addition to Aethelred's family and court.
November 22, 2016
Probably a 4.5... A well-researched scholarly biography which seeks to show that Aethelred may not have been the terrible king that history has painted him as.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews