Utredda

Utredda, also known as Utred, was a legendary king of the Angles in the 10th century. He is primarily known through the Anglo-Saxon poem "The Battle of Maldon," which describes his defeat and death at the Battle of Maldon in 991. Utredda was the son of King Ethelred the Unready, who was deposed by his brother, King Edgar the Peaceable. Utredda's father, Ethelred, was later restored to the throne, but Edgar's son, Edward the Martyr, succeeded him in 978. Utredda, along with his father and brother, was exiled by Edward. In 991, Utredda returned to England with a Viking army, aiming to reclaim the throne. The Battle of Maldon was a significant victory for Edward, who defeated Utredda's forces and captured Utredda himself. Utredda was later executed, and his head was sent to King Olaf of Norway as a trophy. The poem "The Battle of Maldon" provides a vivid account of the battle and Utredda's fate, making him a notable figure in Anglo-Saxon history.