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| Depiction in the Genealogical Roll of the Kings of England (c. 1300s) |
Birth name: Hörða-Knútr Knutsson
Born: c. 1018, Kingdom of England
Father: King Cnut of Denmark, Norway and the English 'The Great'
Mother: Lady Emma of Normandy
House: Knýtlinga
Nationality: Danish
Religion: Catholicism
Claim: Child of Cnut 'The Great'
Reign: 17 March 1040 - 08 June 1042 (2 years)
Coronation: N/A
Predecessor: Harold I 'Harefoot'
Successor: Edward 'The Confessor'
Died: 08 June 1042 (aged 24), Lambeth, Middlesex, Kingdom of England
Cause: Tuberculosis *disputed*
Burial: Aarhus Cathedral
Motto: N/A
Spouse(s):
- N/A
Children:
- N/A
Appearance:
Unknown.
Character:
He was well known for his brutality and ruthlessness, and was very autocratic in his style of rule. It was his way, or no way at all, and anyone who stood against him was often met with violence. Harthacnut ensured that he was feared as a person and as a ruler.
Despite this, he was reported to have been quite generous with those he was closest to, and was reported to have shared his food with servants, as well as frequently donated money to the church.
He was also greatly affected by the murder of his brother, Alfred, and displayed a vengeful streak by mutilating the body of his dead brother, Harold, who he believed was responsible for his murder.
Biography:
Hatharcnut was born in the year 1018, though the exact date of his birth is not known for certain. His father was the powerful King Cnut of Denmark, Norway and the English, and his mother was Cnut's second wife, Lady Emma of Normandy, who had also been previously married to King Æthelred of the English. Through his father, he had two older half-siblings, and three older half-siblings through his mother. He would also later have one full younger sister.
Apparently upon their marriage, it was agreed that Emma's sons would be favoured in the line of succession over the children Cnut had produced from his first and coinciding marriage with Lady Ælfgifu of Northampton. Due to this, Harthacnut was his father's heir from birth.
In the early 1020s when Harthacnut was around 8 years old, he was sent to the Kingdom of Denmark by Cnut as his recognised heir. He was placed under the care and council of Ulf, Cnut's regent in Denmark. This plan backfired, since Ulf immediately began manipulating the people of Denmark to discard Cnut and recognise Harthacnut as their official king. In all of the confusion, Denmark was unable to fully defend themselves against invasions from both Sweden and Norway, resulting in Cnut having to return from England to come to their aid. Cnut forgave Harthacnut due to him still only being a child and having little understanding of what had been going on. Ulf on the other hand was executed and Cnut managed to establish control over Norway before once again leaving his Danish dominions in Harthacnut's care while he returned to England. Meanwhile, Norway was left in the care of his son, Svein, and his first wife, Ælfgifu.
In 1035, Svein and Ælfgifu fled to Harthacnut's court in exile after their unpopularity led to their fall from power. Harthacnut attempted to help them gain control of Norway again, but the death of Cnut halted any further plans to do so.
Upon his father's death, Harthacnut became the official King of Denmark, however, he was unable to establish his claim in England. Instead, his half-brother, Harold Harefoot, and Ælfgifu, seized control of the kingdom, taking advantage of Harthacnut's distraction with issues in Denmark.
Though Harthacnut originally agreed that Harold could rule as regent, the people of England grew tired of waiting for Harthacnut to arrive, so fully elected Harold as their ruler instead. His own mother, Emma of Normandy, remained in England, attempting to retain his support base there, and also ruled parts of Wessex as regent. Essentially, England became divided between Harold's and Harthacnut's factions. This was until the powerful Godwin, Earl of Wessex changed sides and supported Harold instead, forcing his mother to flee England, and for Harold to be officially recognised as the official king of all of English land.
Harold's rule would not last long, however, and he would die in 1040. This time, Harthacnut was able to travel to England and claim the throne peacefully, despite bringing invasion forces with him.
One of his first acts was to take revenge on Harold for seizing the throne and for the murder of his older brother, Alfred, that was possibly carried out on Harold's orders by Godwin, Earl of Wessex. He had his body seized and beheaded in front of a crowd of people, which was then tossed into the sewers. Both Harthacnut and his mother also attempted to hold Godwin to account for his role in Alfred's murder, but he was eventually able to buy his way into the king's good graces.
Despite being welcomed into the kingdom, Harthacnut quickly became unpopular with the people of England due to his more autocratic style of rule. Taxes were raised to build vast fleets, and he often ruled through fear, and did not trust or consult with English nobles as was the custom. Harthacnut would harshly deal with any rebellions or refusals to follow his commands, including the burning of the town of Worcester after they refused to pay their taxes.
Harthacnut's reign on terror would not last long, though. He was frequently ill, and by 1041, he appeared to have realised that he was dying. It was possible that he was suffering from tuberculosis, and he began to recognise his half-brother, Edward, as his heir.
However, Harthacnut remained alive until the middle of 1042, where he attended the wedding of two of his father's close friends. When Harthacnut stood to make a toast, he suddenly collapsed and suffered a seizure, or possibly some sort of coughing fit. He was declared dead soon afterwards, likely as a result of his tuberculosis, or, as some argue, he may have been possibly poisoned.
Rule:
Despite only ruling for two years, Harthacnut was deeply unpopular with the people of England. Even today, his rule is not looked upon favourably.
He ruled through terror, and refused to compromise with the English style of rule, with his attitude being much more autocratic. He alienated the English nobility, and even had the Earl of Bramburgh murdered, despite promising him safety and peace. This made him very untrustworthy.
He was notorious for his heavy taxes, to a point where it stirred up rebellions within some English towns.
Overall, he was not a successful monarch, and was the last Danish king to rule England.
Unknown.
Character:
He was well known for his brutality and ruthlessness, and was very autocratic in his style of rule. It was his way, or no way at all, and anyone who stood against him was often met with violence. Harthacnut ensured that he was feared as a person and as a ruler.
Despite this, he was reported to have been quite generous with those he was closest to, and was reported to have shared his food with servants, as well as frequently donated money to the church.
He was also greatly affected by the murder of his brother, Alfred, and displayed a vengeful streak by mutilating the body of his dead brother, Harold, who he believed was responsible for his murder.
Biography:
Hatharcnut was born in the year 1018, though the exact date of his birth is not known for certain. His father was the powerful King Cnut of Denmark, Norway and the English, and his mother was Cnut's second wife, Lady Emma of Normandy, who had also been previously married to King Æthelred of the English. Through his father, he had two older half-siblings, and three older half-siblings through his mother. He would also later have one full younger sister.
Apparently upon their marriage, it was agreed that Emma's sons would be favoured in the line of succession over the children Cnut had produced from his first and coinciding marriage with Lady Ælfgifu of Northampton. Due to this, Harthacnut was his father's heir from birth.
In the early 1020s when Harthacnut was around 8 years old, he was sent to the Kingdom of Denmark by Cnut as his recognised heir. He was placed under the care and council of Ulf, Cnut's regent in Denmark. This plan backfired, since Ulf immediately began manipulating the people of Denmark to discard Cnut and recognise Harthacnut as their official king. In all of the confusion, Denmark was unable to fully defend themselves against invasions from both Sweden and Norway, resulting in Cnut having to return from England to come to their aid. Cnut forgave Harthacnut due to him still only being a child and having little understanding of what had been going on. Ulf on the other hand was executed and Cnut managed to establish control over Norway before once again leaving his Danish dominions in Harthacnut's care while he returned to England. Meanwhile, Norway was left in the care of his son, Svein, and his first wife, Ælfgifu.
In 1035, Svein and Ælfgifu fled to Harthacnut's court in exile after their unpopularity led to their fall from power. Harthacnut attempted to help them gain control of Norway again, but the death of Cnut halted any further plans to do so.
Upon his father's death, Harthacnut became the official King of Denmark, however, he was unable to establish his claim in England. Instead, his half-brother, Harold Harefoot, and Ælfgifu, seized control of the kingdom, taking advantage of Harthacnut's distraction with issues in Denmark.
Though Harthacnut originally agreed that Harold could rule as regent, the people of England grew tired of waiting for Harthacnut to arrive, so fully elected Harold as their ruler instead. His own mother, Emma of Normandy, remained in England, attempting to retain his support base there, and also ruled parts of Wessex as regent. Essentially, England became divided between Harold's and Harthacnut's factions. This was until the powerful Godwin, Earl of Wessex changed sides and supported Harold instead, forcing his mother to flee England, and for Harold to be officially recognised as the official king of all of English land.
Harold's rule would not last long, however, and he would die in 1040. This time, Harthacnut was able to travel to England and claim the throne peacefully, despite bringing invasion forces with him.
One of his first acts was to take revenge on Harold for seizing the throne and for the murder of his older brother, Alfred, that was possibly carried out on Harold's orders by Godwin, Earl of Wessex. He had his body seized and beheaded in front of a crowd of people, which was then tossed into the sewers. Both Harthacnut and his mother also attempted to hold Godwin to account for his role in Alfred's murder, but he was eventually able to buy his way into the king's good graces.
Despite being welcomed into the kingdom, Harthacnut quickly became unpopular with the people of England due to his more autocratic style of rule. Taxes were raised to build vast fleets, and he often ruled through fear, and did not trust or consult with English nobles as was the custom. Harthacnut would harshly deal with any rebellions or refusals to follow his commands, including the burning of the town of Worcester after they refused to pay their taxes.
Harthacnut's reign on terror would not last long, though. He was frequently ill, and by 1041, he appeared to have realised that he was dying. It was possible that he was suffering from tuberculosis, and he began to recognise his half-brother, Edward, as his heir.
However, Harthacnut remained alive until the middle of 1042, where he attended the wedding of two of his father's close friends. When Harthacnut stood to make a toast, he suddenly collapsed and suffered a seizure, or possibly some sort of coughing fit. He was declared dead soon afterwards, likely as a result of his tuberculosis, or, as some argue, he may have been possibly poisoned.
Rule:
Despite only ruling for two years, Harthacnut was deeply unpopular with the people of England. Even today, his rule is not looked upon favourably.
He ruled through terror, and refused to compromise with the English style of rule, with his attitude being much more autocratic. He alienated the English nobility, and even had the Earl of Bramburgh murdered, despite promising him safety and peace. This made him very untrustworthy.
He was notorious for his heavy taxes, to a point where it stirred up rebellions within some English towns.
Overall, he was not a successful monarch, and was the last Danish king to rule England.
Trivia:
- His name roughly translates as 'tough knot' and often refers to bravery. This ended up being a nickname that he possessed.
- In Danish history, he is sometimes referred to as 'Cnut III'.
Quotes:
N/A
Timeline of Reign:
| 1040: Desecration of Harold I's corpse - Harold I's body is seized, beheaded and thrown into sewers.
| 1040: Tax increase - Harthacnut raises taxes to extortionate levels to pay for his military and fleet.
| 1040: Worcester Riots - 2 tax collectors murdered by rioters in Worcester.
| 1040: Harrying of Worcester - Harthacnut orders Worcester to be burned down; citizens escape.
| 1041: Murder of Earl of Bamburgh - Eadwulf, Earl of Bamburgh murdered on the king's orders.
| 1041: Edward Ætheling returns from exile - Edward is recognised as Harthacnut's heir.
Sources & Further Reading:
Brain, J. (2022) Harthacnut. Historic UK. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Harthacnut/
Britannica Editors. (1999). Hardecanute | Viking Ruler, Danish Monarch & English King. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hardecanute
Harthacnut - MS Royal 14 B VI.jpg - Wikimedia Commons. (2022). Wikimedia.org. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harthacnut_-_MS_Royal_14_B_VI.jpg
Williamson, J. (2023). The story of King Harthacnut: The last Dane on the English throne. The Viking Herald. https://thevikingherald.com/article/the-story-of-king-harthacnut-the-last-dane-on-the-english-throne/716
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