Hail Caesar Saxon Earls & Kings – 11th Century

Ethelred the Unready, also known as thelred II, was King of England from 978 to 1013 and again from 1014 to 1016. His epithet “the Unready” is derived from the Old English word “unrd,” meaning “poorly advised,” rather than unprepared. Ethelred’s reign was marked by repeated Viking invasions, which he struggled to repel effectively. He attempted to buy peace with large sums of money known as Danegeld, but this strategy ultimately proved unsuccessful. His rule was also plagued by internal strife and ineffective governance. In 1013, Ethelred fled to Normandy when King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark invaded and seized the English throne. After Sweyn’s death in 1014, Ethelred briefly regained his kingdom, but his reign ended with his death in 1016, leaving a legacy of turmoil and a kingdom vulnerable to further Viking conquest.

Leofric of Mercia was an influential 11th-century Anglo-Saxon nobleman, serving as the Earl of Mercia from around 1030 until his death in 1057. He played a significant role in the politics of early medieval England, exerting considerable power and influence during the reigns of Kings Canute, Harold Harefoot, Harthacanute, and Edward the Confessor. Leofric is perhaps best known for his legendary wife, Lady Godiva, who is said to have ridden naked through the streets of Coventry to persuade her husband to reduce oppressive taxes on his tenants. As a patron of the church, Leofric founded and endowed several monasteries, including Coventry and Much Wenlock. His leadership and diplomatic skills helped maintain stability and prosperity in Mercia during a period of significant political upheaval.

Edmund Ironside, also known as Edmund II, was King of England in 1016. The son of King thelred the Unready, Edmund earned his nickname “Ironside” due to his valiant resistance against the Danish invasion led by King Cnut (Canute) the Great. Following his father’s death, Edmund continued the struggle against the Danes, winning several battles and proving himself a capable and determined military leader. Despite his efforts, he could not entirely repel the Danish forces. After a series of hard-fought battles, including the Battle of Assandun, Edmund and Cnut agreed to divide the kingdom, with Edmund ruling Wessex and Cnut controlling the rest of England. Edmund’s reign was short-lived, however, as he died later that year under mysterious circumstances, possibly from wounds sustained in battle. His death allowed Cnut to become the sole ruler of England, ending the Wessex line of kings.

Leading his people, the Saxon King will show the world he is a threat to contend with, and alongside him, his Earl will fight by the Kings side and allow him to prosper.

This blister pack contains 3 Saxon Earls & Kings from the 11th century.