Eadric Streona (901–1017)
Born 901 CE, died 1017 CE.
Eadric Streona (died 1017) was Ealdorman of Mercia from 1007 until he was killed by King Cnut. Eadric was given the epithet "Streona" (translated as "The Acquisitive”) in Hemming's Cartulary because he appropriated church land and funds for himself. Eadric became infamous in the Middle Ages because of his traitorous actions during the Danish conquest of England. Eadric was one of at least eight children and had relatively humble beginnings: his father Ethelric attended the court of King Æthelred the Unready, but was of no great significance and is not known to have had any titles. Even before becoming an ealdorman, Eadric seems to have acted as Æthelred's enforcer; in 1006 he instigated the killing of the Ealdorman of York, Elfhelm. Eadric was married to Æthelred's daughter Eadgyth by 1009, thus becoming his son-in-law. Eadric was appointed Ealdorman of Mercia in 1007. As an ealdorman, Eadric played an important role in the affairs of the kingdom. In 1009 he negotiated unsuccessfully with marauding Vikings to save the life of Archbishop Ælfheah of Canterbury. Eadric also continued to organise the killings of prominent nobles — supposedly upon orders of the king.
Text from the Wikipedia article Eadric_Streona, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.