King Æthelred II, also known as Æthelred the Unready, was the King of England from 978 to 1013 and then again from 1014 to 1016. He faced numerous challenges during his reign, including Viking invasions and internal strife. His nickname, "Unready," comes from the Old English word "unræd," meaning ill-advised or poorly prepared. Æthelred's reign was marked by attempts to buy off Viking raiders with tribute, known as Danegeld. Despite these efforts, he struggled to maintain control over his kingdom. He eventually fled to Normandy during a Viking conquest but returned to reclaim the throne before his death in 1016.