1016 and all that
The start of a new year seems a good time to take a really long, backward look at history. I’m going to do this in one thousand year leaps. So today, here are a few things which happened in the year 1016.
Earthquakes hit Jerusalem and partly destroy the Dome of the Rock.
In England, Aethelred the Unready dies and is succeeded by his son, Edmund Ironside.
Ironside defeats Canute of Denmark in battle in April and, in his turn, is defeated by him in October. Both young kings agree to divide England between them.
In November Ironside dies, possibly murdered, possibly by Eadric the Grasper, one of the greatest villains of English history. Interestingly, given the 14th century picture of Ironside to the right, he may have been murdered while sitting on the toilet.
Canute becomes king of England, adding it to his Danish lands which became the core of a large Empire including Norway.
Ironside’s new born son is spirited away from England and spends most of his life in exile. His son, Edgar, is the last proclaimed king of England.
The Normans begin to gain a foothold in Italy, leading eventually to powerful duchies and Kingdoms.
The repercussions or many of these events are played out in my The Lost King books.
Next up – The year 16. And then going ever back in time.
