Being celebrated as one of England’s greatest monarchs, bringing eighteen years of unbroken domestic peace to the country.
He was the ‘Emperor of the North’, with complete power over England, Denmark and Norway for seven years
Port connection
King Canute contributed to the continued rise in prominence and power of London as England’s commercial centre
Interesting facts
King Canute is chiefly remembered for his inability to halt the rising tide. Canute is said to have placed a throne on the beach and demonstrated to his fawning courtiers the limits of a king's power by failing to turn back the sea and getting his feet wet. This story has become distorted in some accounts to suggest that Canute believed he could command the sea and was, therefore, surprised when his feet got wet.
Life story
995
Born son of Sweyn I Forkbeard, King of the Danes.
1014
Accompanied his father on an invasion of England. Sweyn died and the Danish fleet named Canute the King of England, but he is forced to retreat.
1015
Canute returns and conquers England apart from London.
1016
Canute becomes King of England after defeating the Londoners.
1018
Becomes King of Denmark after the death of his brother, Harold, but continues to live in England.
1019
Canute married Emma of Normandy, Ethelred’s widow. They had two children, Harthacnut and Gunhild.
1028
Canute defeats Olaf II of Norway and claims the Norwegian crown; he installs his son to govern the country.
