Cnut the Great

Reign: 1016 – 1035
Life: 994–1035

The three kingdoms united under Cnut's rule are referred to together as the North Sea Empire by historians. As a Danish prince, Cnut won the throne of England in 1016 in the wake of centuries of Viking activity in northwestern Europe. His later accession to the Danish throne in 1018 brought the crowns of England and Denmark together. Cnut sought to keep this power base by uniting Danes and English under cultural bonds of wealth and custom. After a decade of conflict with opponents in Scandinavia, Cnut claimed the crown of Norway in Trondheim in 1028. In 1031, Malcolm II of Scotland also submitted to him, though Anglo-Norse influence over Scotland was weak and ultimately did not last to the time of Cnut's death.

During Cnut the Great's reign, Anund Jacob ruled Sweden, Emperor Go-Ichijō ruled Japan, and Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor ruled Holy Roman Empire.

Want to learn more? Further reading

A Short History of England by Simon Jenkins

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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A Short History of England

Simon Jenkins

A brisk, readable survey of English history from the Romans to the present.

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