Changes

He had been harrying England on and off for 20 years, attacks which intensified after his sister had been among the victims in the [[St. Brice's Day Massacre]] of Anglo-Danes in 1002. In 1013, “before August”, accompanied by his son, [[Canute]], he invaded. He arrived at [[Sandwich UK|Sandwich]] before sailing north, laying waste parts of the south-east and east  coast before raiding deep into the heart of England via the [[River Humber|Humber]] and [[River Trent]] and setting up a base at Gainsborough, [[Lincolnshire]].

He had been harrying England on and off for 20 years, attacks which intensified after his sister had been among the victims in the [[St. Brice's Day Massacre]] of Anglo-Danes in 1002. In 1013, “before August”, accompanied by his son, [[Canute]], he invaded. He arrived at [[Sandwich UK|Sandwich]] before sailing north, laying waste parts of the south-east and east  coast before raiding deep into the heart of England via the [[River Humber|Humber]] and [[River Trent]] and setting up a base at Gainsborough, [[Lincolnshire]].

He was quickly recognised as king by most of the residents of the [[Danelaw]]. Now, sure of local support he moved south. [[Oxford]] and [[Winchester]] surrendered immediately, most of England shortly after. London held out for a number of months but submitted at the end of the year.  King [[Ethelred the Unready]] fled to his wife’s family in [[Normandy]. Sweyn died about five weeks later, on February 3, 1014. His son, Canute, who had made a name for himself for cruelty and treachery, was too inexperienced to build on his father’s unconsolidated successes in England and sailed home – though not without a deal of pillage and other unpleasantness before he left the shores.

He was quickly recognised as king by most of the residents of the [[Danelaw]]. Now, sure of local support he moved south. [[Oxford]] and [[Winchester]] surrendered immediately, most of England shortly after. London held out for a number of months but submitted at the end of the year.  King [[Ethelred the Unready]] fled to his wife’s family in [[Normandy]]. Sweyn died about five weeks later, on February 3, 1014. His son, Canute, who had made a name for himself for cruelty and treachery, was too inexperienced to build on his father’s unconsolidated successes in England and sailed home – though not without a deal of pillage and other unpleasantness before he left the shores.

Ethelred was able to resume his reign.

Ethelred was able to resume his reign.