Eadric

Eadric is cautious, pragmatic, protective of his household, and reluctant to sacrifice Mercia in a war he believes he cannot win.

He remains loyal enough to Ethelred to reject outright assassination even when Canute offers peace in exchange for the king's head.

His negotiating position is nevertheless compromised by the fact that he is already attempting to withdraw from direct resistance. Canute recognizes this contradiction and uses it to expose how little leverage Eadric actually possesses.

Eadric is a nobleman and political leader rather than a frontline warrior.

His power comes through territory, wealth, soldiers, household authority, and his ability to negotiate on behalf of Mercia.

Those resources are substantial locally but cannot match Canute's ability to mobilize forces across England.

Eadric approaches Canute seeking peace for Mercia and offers payment in the traditional form of Danegeld.

Canute refuses to treat the payment as sufficient and argues that the existence of two competing kings guarantees continued instability.

He offers Eadric a bargain: Mercia will be spared if Eadric assassinates Ethelred. Eadric refuses.

Canute then brings him outside and orders a signal fire lit. Other fires answer across the landscape, demonstrating that Canute already has forces positioned to burn Mercia throughout the region.

Ethelred later dies under suspicious circumstances and his son Edmund continues the war. After Canute becomes king of England, Eadric eventually betrays him and is executed in December 1017.

Ethelred II is the English king to whom Eadric remains loyal enough to refuse Canute's demand for his assassination.

Canute pressures Eadric into submission by demonstrating that Mercia can be destroyed almost immediately if resistance continues.

Edmund Ironside continues the English resistance after Ethelred's death and belongs to the same political struggle in which Eadric is trapped.

Gunnar is present within Canute's political circle during the consolidation of Danish power in England.