King's Olaf's Kinsman: When the Danes where Kings of England (Annotated)

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As ruler of England, Denmark and Norway, King Cnut the Great consolidated his power to become leader of the North Sea Empire, demonstrating his leadership skills and fortitude during his reign.

Almost a century after his death, a fable about King Cnut trying to command the tide of the sea still remains entrenched in English folklore today.

Cnut was the son of Sweyn Forkbeard, King of Denmark, and a Polish princess. His precise birth date is uncertain, perhaps 989 AD.

Cnut came from a long line of Scandinavian leaders, since his father, Sweyn Forkbeard, was King Harald Bluetooth's son and heir.

Cnut appeared destined to follow in his father's footsteps, and he grew up to become an excellent Viking warrior, characterized as good-looking and with great leadership qualities.

Sweyn Forkbeard began to explore further afield to increase his powerbase as Viking power grew stronger. After turning his sights on England, he targeted the Saxon king, Aethelred the Unready, and successfully captured the English throne with the help of his son, Cnut.

Sweyn's rule was regrettably short-lived, since he died on 3rd February 1014, leaving a power vacuum that Aethelred was keen to fill when he returned from exile in Normandy.

This divided the kingdom of England, with some sections supporting Aethelred's return and others swearing loyalty to Cnut.

On this occasion, Aethelred was able to gain enough support from the upper echelons of Anglo-Saxon society to promise that upon his return, he would govern more justly and pardon those who had succumbed during the Viking era.