Editing Cnut (section)

=== London captured by treaty ===
On 18 October 1016, the Danes were engaged by Edmund's army as they retired towards their ships, leading to the [[Battle of Assandun]], fought at either [[Ashingdon]], in south-east, or [[Ashdon]], in north-west [[Essex]]. In the ensuing struggle, Eadric Streona, whose return to the English side had perhaps only been a ruse, withdrew his forces from the fray, bringing about a decisive English defeat.<ref>''Anglo-Saxon Chronicles'', pp. 151–53</ref> Edmund fled westwards, and Cnut pursued him into [[Gloucestershire]], with another battle probably fought near the [[Forest of Dean]], for Edmund had an alliance with some of the Welsh.{{sfn|Lawson|2004|p=28}}

On an island near [[Deerhurst]], Cnut and Edmund, who had been wounded, met to negotiate terms of peace. It was agreed that all of England north of the Thames was to be the domain of the Danish prince, while all to the south was kept by the English king, along with London. Accession to the reign of the entire realm was set to pass to Cnut upon Edmund's death. Edmund died on 30 November, within weeks of the arrangement. Some sources claim Edmund was murdered, although the circumstances of his death are unknown.<ref>''Anglo-Saxon Chronicles'', pp. 152–53; Williams, A., ''Æthelred the Unready the Ill-Counselled King'', Hambledon & London, 2003, pp. 146–47.</ref> The West Saxons now accepted Cnut as king of all of England,{{sfn|Stenton|1971|p=393}} and he was crowned by [[Lyfing, Archbishop of Canterbury]], in London in 1017.{{sfn|Lawson|2004|pp=82, 121, 138}}