King Knute

Also known as: King Canute / Knute · Family: English · Role: son of Sweyne · First appears: A.D. 1011–1014

In 1013, King Sweyne entrusted his ships and hostages to his son Knute. The fleet chose Knute for king in 1014; at Sandwich he mutilated the hostages given to his father. In 1015, King Ethelred was his enemy as Knute campaigned through Kent and Wessex, while Alderman Edric submitted to him with forty ships. During the winter advance through Warwickshire in 1016, Knute’s forces plundered, burned and slew. That year Earl Utred and the Northumbrians submitted to him, but Utred was slain on the advice of Edric and Thurkytel. Knute appointed Eric earl over Northumbria.

After fighting against Edmund son of Ethelred, Knute met him at Olney in 1016; they made peace, became sworn brothers and confirmed their friendship with oaths and pledges. In 1017 Knute took the government of England, banished Edwy etheling and ordered his death, and ordered Edwy, king of the churls slain. Before August he ordered King Ethelred’s widow, Emma, daughter of Earl Richard, brought to him as wife. In 1020, after ordering a minster built at Assingdon, he gave it to his priest Stigand. He outlawed Thurkill in 1021, but they were reconciled in 1023, when Knute entrusted Denmark and his son to Thurkill’s care.

In 1025, Ulf (A.D. 1025) and Eglaf fought against Knute’s forces in Denmark, and the Swedes held the battlefield. Knute drove Olave from Norway in 1028. In 1031, Malcolm (A.D. 1031), Macbeth and Jehmar submitted to him and became his men. Knute died at Shaftesbury in 1035. His children included Hardacnute; a report that Harold son of Canute was his son was said to seem incredible to many. In 1045, Gunnilda was described as a relative of Knute, and in 1049 Harold son of Godwin buried Beorn with Knute, his uncle. Edward Etheling was sent into Hungary by Knute, “to betray him”; in 1052, Emma, Knute’s wife and the mother of Edward son of Ethelred and Hardacnute, died.