Cnut, King of England 1016-1035
As the elder son, Harald succeeded to the kingdom of Denmark and refused to share it with Cnut. He also refused to help with the conquest of England, leaving Cnut to face the English alone.
With an army raised, Cnut returned to England in September 1015. There followed a year of fighting against the armies of Æthelred and Edmund before the peace settlement at Alney in 1016. When Edmund died that November, Cnut succeeded to the entire kingdom.
In 1017 the country was temporarily divided into four regions. Cnut’s brother-in-law, Erik of Hlathir, was given Northumbria, Eadric Streona gained Mercia, East Anglia went to Thorkell the Tall, while Cnut kept control of Wessex. This division lasted only until Cnut’s position was stronger. Eadric was killed at Christmas 1017 and Thorkell was outlawed in 1021.
English landowners outnumbered Scandinavians during Cnut’s reign despite being defeated by a foreign army. Land changed hands based mainly on an ability to pay the high taxes that were levied to pay off the invading army and keep a fleet of ships. Those who were related to Edmund, or were his strongest supporters, were killed or exiled early on.
Before he became king, Cnut took Ælfgifu of Northampton as his consort. Together they had two sons, Swein and Harold. But in 1017 he married Æthelred’s widow, Emma, to remove the threat posed by their sons, Edward and Alfred, who were in exile in Normandy. The marriage produced one son, Harthacnut.
With England secure, Cnut turned his attention abroad. He returned to Denmark in the winter of 1019 and became its king when his brother Harald died. The events remain obscure but Cnut’s subsequent letter to the English states that he had removed a threat.
In Norway, Olaf Haraldsson had seized the crown while Cnut and his followers were busy fighting Edmund in England. After the battle of Holy River (Helgeå), in 1025 or 1026, Cnut offered money to Olaf’s men with the result that little resistance was offered in 1027 and Olaf was defeated. Cnut became king of the Norwegians in 1028 and control of Norway was left in the hands of Earl Hákon. When Hákon died soon after, Norway passed to Cnut’s consort, Ælfgifu, and their son, Swein.
Campaigns were fought in Scotland in 1027 or 1031. Cnut received the submission of several kings including Malcolm II, king of Scots, and Mælbæth (possibly Macbeth) who ruled territory around the Moray Firth.
As a king who had been born in a country that had only recently embraced Christianity, Cnut needed to convince the English of his piety. To this end, his gifts to various religious institutions were generous. Also, two famous incidents served to remind his nobles of his closeness to God.
Sometime after 1028 Cnut had a new crown made that was similar in style to that of the German emperors. He placed the old crown on a crucifix in the Old Minster at Winchester, an act that served as both a generous gift to the church and a symbol of his connection with Christ.
Also, the one event that most people remember about Cnut, although it was not mentioned in any surviving written account until the 12th century, may have some basis in truth. His failed attempt to turn back the tide was used to show that, although he was a king, he knew his power was not as great as that of God.
Cnut went on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1027. He was present at the coronation of the Holy Roman emperor, Conrad II, on 26 March 1027. Cnut also negotiated reduced tolls for merchants with Pope John XIX.
After a long illness, Cnut died on 12 November 1035 at Shaftsbury. He was initially buried in the Old Minster at Winchester but his remains were moved by the Normans when they built the new cathedral there.
Essential Facts
Cnut was the son of Swein Forkbeard.
Cnut became king of all England following the death of Edmund II.
Cnut married the widow of Æthelred II, Emma of Normandy.
Cnut was succeeded as king of England by his son, Harold I.
Timeline
1015 – Cnut invaded England.
18 October 1016 – The battle of Assandun.
30 November 1016 – Death of Edmund II. Cnut became king of all England.
1017 – Cnut married Emma of Normandy, the widow of Æthelred II.
12 November 1035 – Death of Cnut.
