Edmund II "Ironside" was the son of King Ethelred and his first wife. He succeeded his father on his death in 1016, and was crowned in St. Paul's Cathedral by Lyfing, the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury. His step-mother, Queen Emma, whose children posed a threat to his position, returned to Normandy with her children after Ethelred's death, where she remained until her marriage to Cnut (Canute) when he became king. Edmund from the start had to fight to maintain his position against Canute (Cnut), the rival claimant. Canute, despite set-backs after the death of his father, Sven "The Dane", regrouped his forces and fought no less than six battles against Edmund "Ironside", none of which were clearly decisive. Edmund won the Battle of Sherston, but was defeated by Canute at the Battle of Ashington, and, after the indecisive Battle of Deerhurst both parleyed at a neutral spot on the Isle of Alney, Gloucestershire, and agreed to share the kingdom and divided the country along the old boundary-line between Saxon England [Greater Wessex] and Viking England [the "Danelaw"]. Edmund, however, reigned only seven months [Apr.-Nov.] Year 1016 and was murdered [age 27] by his chancellor, Eadric Streona, who betrayed him and thereupon turned the kingdom over to Canute and became Canute's chancellor, and Canute took sole possession of the country. The despicable Eadric Streona was later executed by Canute who felt like he could not trust him. Edmund II "Ironside" was buried in Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset. Edmund, of his wife, Ealgyth, daughter of Earl Ethelwerd of Wessex, was survived by two infant sons, Edmund and Edward, who were taken out of the country for safe-keeping. They were hunted by Canute who sent his agents all over Europe looking for them. Nevertheless, they grew up out of his reach in the court of St. Stephen of Hungary. The other possible heirs of the old royal house, Edwig, the surviving full-brother of the late king, and, the late king's half-brothers, Alfred "Aetheling" and Edward "The Confessor", the sons of King Ethelred and Queen Emma, his third wife, were also sought by Canute. Edwig was captured and executed by Canute, but Alfred and Edward were out of Canute's reach at the court of the Duke of Normandy in the safe-keeping of their mother's relatives. Later, Duke Robert of Normandy set sail with a huge fleet against Canute to set Emma's and Ethelred's children [who were under his protection] on the English throne, but the wreck of his ships in a storm put an end to the expedition. Canute made peace with Duke Robert and gave his half-sister, Estrid (Margaret), in marriage to the Norman duke. She was the step-mother of his only son, William "The Conqueror", who became Canute's favorite.