Editing Cnut (section)

=== Advance into the North ===
Early in 1016, the Vikings crossed the [[Thames]] and harried [[Warwickshire]], while Edmund Ironside's attempts at opposition seem to have come to nothing – the chronicler says the English army disbanded because the king and the citizenry of London were not present.{{sfn|Lawson|2004|p=27}} The mid-winter assault by Cnut devastated its way northwards across eastern [[Mercia]]. Another summons of the army brought the Englishmen together, and they were met this time by the king, although "it came to nothing as so often before", and Æthelred returned to London with fears of betrayal.{{sfn|Lawson|2004|p=27}} Edmund then went north to join [[Uhtred the Bold|Uhtred]] the [[Earl of Northumbria]] and together they harried [[Staffordshire]], [[Shropshire]] and [[Cheshire]] in western Mercia,{{sfn|Lawson|2004|p=28}} possibly targeting the estates of Eadric Streona. Cnut's occupation of [[Northumbria]] meant Uhtred returned home to submit himself to Cnut,<ref>''Anglo-Saxon Chronicles'', pp. 146–49.</ref> who seems to have sent a Northumbrian rival, [[Thurbrand the Hold]], to massacre Uhtred and his retinue. [[Eiríkr Hákonarson]], most likely with another force of Scandinavians, came to support Cnut at this point,<ref>Trow, ''Cnut'', p. 59.</ref> and the veteran Norwegian jarl was put in charge of Northumbria.

Prince Edmund remained in London, still unsubdued behind [[London Wall|its walls]], and was elected king after the death of Æthelred on 23 April 1016.