Ethelred II, also known as Ethelred the Unready, was the King of England from 978 to 1016. He is known for being a weak and indecisive king who was unable to defend his kingdom against the Danish invasions. There are several synonyms for Ethelred II that have been used over the years, including Ethelred the Redeless, meaning "without counsel or advice," and Ethelred the Ill-Advised. Other less common synonyms include Ethelred the Unbecoming, Ethelred the Unskilled, and Ethelred the Inept. These names all highlight his weakness as a ruler and the negative impact it had on England during his reign.