Æthelred I

Æthelred I (d. 871), king of Wessex (865-71). The third son of Æthelwulf to succeed to the kingship of the West Saxons, Æthelred had to endure the first major onslaught of the Danes. From bases set up in East Anglia in 866 they first turned their attention to Northumbria and Mercia, delaying moves against Wessex until the autumn of 870. After a series of skirmishes, Æthelred died on campaign in April 871, to be succeeded by his younger brother Alfred.