With the capture of York, Canute the great finished the conquest of Northumberland. Vikings attacked London, but the citizens defense was being led by Edmund Ironside, who after his father Æthelred the unready died in april 1016 was crowned king of England. Cnut the great also proclaimed himself king in a council meeting in Southampton. At the Battle of Brentford King Edmund defeated the Danes, but soon Edmund Ironside managed to escape from London and organize an army prepared for battle. On the 18 october 1016 the two armies met at Ashdon, Essex and the Anglo-saxons was betrayed by one of their own, Eadric Stretona shouted "Brothers in arms let us flee from certain death, or else we will all die, I know how tough the Danes are", his men rolled down their banner and fled the battlefield, the place was named Traitors field on an old map.
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| The North sea empire |
After that the Danes had won the battle both parts entered a treaty where they decided to share the kingdom. On 30. November King Edmund Ironside died and rumors said that he was killed by ealdorman Eadric Stretona, but it has never been confirmed and in the end of December Canute the great proclaimed himself king of England, he exiled Edmund Ironsides family, killed one of them, and stuck the eyes out on a third. Eadric Stretona expected a reward for his evil deeds, Canute the great cut of his treacherous head, Canute married Emma the former wife of Edmund Ironside and he ruled England until 12. November 1035.
To pay off all but 40 ships of his invasion fleet, which were retained as a personal bodyguard, with a huge Danegeld of 72,000 troy pounds (26,900 kg) of silver collected nationally, plus a further 10,500 pounds (3,900 kg) of silver collected from London.
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| Battle of Nesjar |
On the 25th March Earl Svend led the defense against Olav the holy but at Battle of Nesjar at Trøndelagen he suffered a devastating defeat. Earl Svend had to flee to Sweden and Olaf the holy was crowned king of Norway.
