King of Wessex. He was the son of Ethelred II, who had temporarily (1013–14) lost his throne to Sweyn I of Denmark. Edmund’s succession was challenged by Sweyn’s son Canute. Over a period of eight months (1016) they fought six major battles. Defeated at Ashingdon in Essex (October 1016), Edmund agreed to rule southern England and Canute the remainder, either survivor succeeding to the whole country. Edmund died in the following month and Canute became overall ruler.