Complex sentence: As an ealdorman Eadric played an important role in the affairs of the kingdom, in 1009 he negotiated with marauding Vikings to save the life of Archbishop Ælfheah of Canterbury, negotiations proved to be unsuccessful.
Split into simpler sentences: As an ealdorman, Eadric played an important role in the affairs of the kingdom. In 1009 he negotiated with marauding Vikings to save the life of Archbishop Ælfheah of Canterbury, which proved to be unsuccessful.