Ethelred the Unready was an English king who ruled from 978 to 1016. He is often remembered for his struggles against Viking invasions and his inability to effectively defend his kingdom. His reign was marked by political instability and conflict, leading to his nickname "Unready," which comes from the Old English word "unræd," meaning ill-advised or poorly prepared. Despite his challenges, Ethelred attempted various strategies to combat the Vikings, including paying them off with large sums of money known as Danegeld. His reign ended with his exile, and he was eventually succeeded by his son, Edmund Ironside, after Ethelred's death in 1016.