Edmund Ironside

King Edmund II is nicknamed "Ironside" for his military prowess. He was born in about 990AD, the son of King Ethelred II. He was elected king of England by the population of London on his father's death in 1016, but his rival, Canute, enjoyed greater support throughout the country. He was eventually defeated by the Danes, and was allowed by Canute to keep the kingdom of Wessex, on the understanding that whichever of them survived the other would become ruler of the whole of England. Shortly after making this agreement, Edmund II died, on November 30, 1016, and was buried at Glastonbury.