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| Illustration in the New Minster Liber Vitae (1031) |
Birth name: Knútr Sveinnson
Born: c. 990, Kingdom of Denmark
Father: King Sweyn of Denmark, Norway and the English 'Forkbeard'
Mother: Lady Świętosława of Poland *disputed*
House: Knýtlinga
Nationality: Danish
Religion: Catholicism
Claim: Child of Sweyn and chosen by Edmund II 'Ironside'
Reign: 23 April 1016 - 12 November 1035 (19 years)
Coronation: c. 1017
Predecessor: Edmund II 'Ironside'
Successor: Harold I 'Harefoot'
Died: 12 November 1035 (aged 45), Shaftesbury, Wessex, Kingdom of England
Cause: Unknown illness
Burial: Old Minster then Winchester Cathedral
Motto: N/A
Spouse(s):
- Lady Ælfgifu of Northampton (m. 1013 - 1035)
- Lady Emma of Normandy (m. 1017 - 1035)
Children:
- With Lady Ælfgifu of Northampton
- King Svein of Norway (c. 1016 - 1035)
- King Harold I of the English 'Harefoot' (???? - 1040)
- With Lady Emma of Normandy
- King Harthacnut of Denmark and the English 'Tough-Knot' (c. 1018 - 1042)
- Gunhilda, Queen of Germany (c. 1020 - 1038)
Cnut was described as tall, strong, and handsome. He was also described as possessing pale skin with red hair and a hooked shaped nose.
Character:
Throughout his life, Cnut was known for his ruthlessness and strong conviction. He was also regarded as a wise military and political leader, able to take complete control of three kingdoms, and establish close political ties with other nations.
Despite being a fierce warrior, he was also respected for his piety and devotion to Christianity. He would make pilgrimages to Rome, and would support and donate generously to the church. This earned him a lot of respect from the clergy.
Biography:
Cnut was born in the Kingdom of Denmark, likely during the year 990. Though his father was King Sweyn of Denmark, Norway and the English, the true identity of his mother is not fully known for certain, though it more than likely was Princess Świętosława of Poland. He likely had around six siblings, and like with Cnut, the identity of their mothers is not certain.
Growing up, Cnut received military training from a young age, and he may have been present during his father's invasion of England in 1003, despite being around 13 years old. Other than this possible incident, not too much is known about Cnut's early life.
By 1013, Cnut was most definitely present during his father's final invasion of England, where he was able to depose King Æthelred, who fled to Normandy, and establish himself as the new King of the English. During this time, Cnut was primarily left in charge of the Viking fleets, and was based in the north of England, a frequent Viking stronghold within the kingdom. He married Lady Ælfgifu of Northampton to further cement alliances there, and the two of them would go on to have two children together.
However, Sweyn's reign in England would only last for five weeks, as he would die suddenly due to a fall from his horse. His brother, Harald, became the new King of Denmark, while the Danish nobility in England elected Cnut as the new King of England. This was quickly counteracted by the English nobility, who brought back Æthelred instead. Cnut was forced to flee by Æthelred's new army, and he slaughtered as many people as possible before reaching the coast of Kent, and sailing back to Denmark.
Upon his return to Denmark, to keep him from attempting to stake his claim on the Danish throne, Harald kept him occupied by giving him command over a new invasion fleet so that he could fight for his claim in England.
Cnut was able to gain support from both Danish, Swedish and Polish forces, largely due to his close family ties within these kingdoms. By 1015, he had gathered around 10,000 troops, and he once again set sail to England to begin his conquest.
The war upon landing in England would last for over a year, as Cnut's forces fought against Edmund Ironside, Æthelred's heir. Areas of Wessex eventually submitted, followed by Mercia. Cnut continued to push north, and Æthelred would often flee from any confrontation. Æthelred would also die not long afterwards, and the English elected Edmund Ironside as their new king.
Edmund remained in London while Viking forces continued northwards, taking complete control of Northumbria. Once Cnut returned his attention to the south, Edmund was able to flee London before Cnut's forces could trap him there. Cnut divided his forces into two, with one half pursuing Edmund, while the other laid siege to the city of London.
The back and forth victories and defeats between Cnut and Edmund would continue throughout the year. Eventually the two rival kings came to blows in Wessex, and the two became wounded, before they met and agreed to negotiate peace. It was agreed that Cnut would rule the area of England north of the River Thames, and that Edmund would rule the land to the south. It was also agreed that Cnut would take over the whole kingdom upon Edmund's death and vice versa.
Just a few weeks after this agreement, Edmund would die in mysterious, unknown circumstances, and Cnut was officially recognised as the new King of the English.
Immediately upon his succession, England began to prosper. Cnut provided England with protection from Viking raiders, and in return, England provided Cnut with support and troops for his campaigns back in Scandinavia. However, many Wessex noblemen would be executed in order to prevent any possible challenges to Cnut's rule, and many heirs to the throne fled abroad if they were not murdered first.
Cnut would also go on to marry Lady Emma of Normandy, Æthelred's widow, while also still married to Ælfgifu, a practice which was acceptable during this time period. Both he and Emma would also go on to have two children together, and he apparently agreed that his children by Emma would take priority in the line of succession.
In 1018, Cnut's brother, King Harald of Denmark, died. Cnut was easily able to establish himself as the new King of Denmark before leaving his brother-in-law, Ulf, as regent there while he returned to England. Some time later, he also sent his son by Emma of Normandy, Harthacnut, to Denmark as his recognised heir, where he would live under the guardianship and tutelage of Ulf.
However, the Kingdom of Norway began to take advantage of Cnut's focus on England, and began to attack Denmark. Ulf turned against Cnut, and began establishing Harthacnut as the true ruler of Denmark. Cnut was once again forced to return to Denmark to deal with these matters. He was able to easily defeat the Norwegian and Swedish forces, as well as forgave his son in light of his young age. However, despite initial reconciliation, Cnut's relationship with Ulf would remain rocky. During a game of chess, the two of them argued before Cnut finally ordered his murder.
By this point, Cnut viewed himself as not only the King of England and Denmark, but also of Norway and parts of Sweden as well, especially after his victories against their invasions of Denmark in 1026. His vast lands were to become known as the North Sea Empire.
Upon the death of the King of Norway, Cnut established his rule there by sending his son, Svien, and his first wife, Ælfgifu, to rule there as regents. However, their rule would not be popular and the two of them would eventually be chased out of the kingdom before restoring their own monarchy in 1035.
Before Cnut could begin to re-establish himself in Norway, he fell ill and died in 1035.
Rule:
Cnut is generally regarded as a successful ruler, able to establish himself as the king of multiple kingdoms and create the beginnings of an empire.
He was able to maintain popular support from the church, and his reign allowed England to prosper by eliminating the threat of further Viking raids and invasions.
Cnut also strengthened the currency within England.
Although he was initially suspicious of many Anglo-Saxon noblemen, the ones who earned his trust were able to maintain their lands and titles, and enjoyed high positions in court alongside Scandinavians.
Trivia:
- N/A
Quotes:
"Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings. For there is none worthy of the name but God, whom heaven, earth and sea obey."
"May he preserve us by his bounteous compassion in rule and honour and henceforth scatter and bring to nothing the power and might of all our enemies!"
Timeline of Reign:
| 1016: Execution of English noblemen - Cnut orders executions of enemies within England
| 1018: Cnut becomes King of Denmark - Cnut seizes the throne after the death of his brother.
| 1026: Battle of the Helgeå - Victory against the Swedes and Norwegians.
| 1028: Cnut becomes King of Norway - Cnut seizes the throne of Norway.
| 1030: Ælfgifu and Svein made regents - Ælfgifu's Time in Norway begins.
| 1030: Earldom of Wessex established - Direct royal rule of Wessex ends.
| 1035: Control of Norway lost - Ælfgifu and Svein are chased from the kingdom.
Sources & Further Reading:
Bender, B. M. (2026). Cnut the Great: King of England, Denmark & Norway. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Cnut_the_Great/
Brain, J. (2022). King Cnut The Great. Historic UK. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/King-Cnut-The-Great/
Canute and Ælfgifu.jpg - Wikimedia Commons. (2022). Wikimedia.org. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canute_and_%C3%86lfgifu.jpg
Firth, M. (2017). Cnut the Great, the Conquest of England, and the Puzzle of London. The Postgrad Chronicles. https://thepostgradchronicles.org/2017/11/13/cnut-the-great-the-conquest-of-england-and-the-puzzle-of-london/
Whitelock, D. (2023). Canute (I) | King of England, Denmark, and Norway. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Canute-I
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