Edmund

Edmund, the name of several Saxon kings, of whom one of the most famous was Edmund Ironside, born 989, the son of Ethelred II. In 1016 he succeeded his father, and for some time contended successfully with Canute. As a consequence of a defeat which he received at Assendun in Essex he came to a compromise with Canute, who received the northern and midland counties, while Edmund retained the southern. Edmund is said to have been assassinated at Oxford by an agent of Edric of Mercia, whose desertion had led to the defeat at Assendun. Canute thus became king of England.