King Æthelred II of England, also known as Æthelred the Unready, ruled 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, "the Unready," comes from the Old English word "unræd," meaning ill-advised or poorly prepared. Despite his efforts to defend his kingdom, Æthelred struggled to unite his people against the Danish threats. He implemented various strategies, including paying tribute known as Danegeld to the Vikings, but these measures often proved ineffective. Æthelred's reign ended with his death in 1016, leading to the rise of Cnut the Great.