This occurred because the first two brothers died in wars with the Danes without issue, while Æthelred's sons were too young to rule when their father died.
See juhtus nii, sest esimesed kaks venda surid sõdades taanlastega, jätmata järglasi, samas Æthelredi pojad olid liiga noored valitsema, kui nende isa suri.