Edmund II Ironside

Edmund II 'Ironside' (d.1016), King of the English, earned his byname in a single astonishing year: raised to the throne in April 1016 with Cnut's army in the land, he raised five armies, relieved London and fought the Danes to a standstill before defeat at Assandun. By the treaty of Alney the two kings divided England; and within weeks Edmund was dead, at perhaps twenty-six. But his infant son Edward survived exile to carry the old West Saxon line on, and through him it descends to us.