Reign of King Cnut

Historical Context Essay

Timothy Bolton (University of Oslo)

Ed. by Hugh Magennis, Queen's University Belfast
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.01: English Writing and Culture: Old English, 500-1066.
Vol. editors: Richard William Dance (University of Cambridge), Hugh Magennis (Queen's University Belfast)

Domains

Changes of government, elections and reigns

Dates

Date of occurrence 1016-1035

Places

England (Location)

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Cnut, a son of the Danish king Sweyn Forkbeard (Sveinn tjúguskegg), led an invasion of England and reigned there from 1016 to his death in 1035. During this period he continued to extend his dominion, receiving the throne of Denmark

. 1019 and seizing power over Norway in 1028. In addition, he repelled an invasion of Danish territory by the forces of some part of Sweden; although it is doubtful if he ever held authority over any part of that region. However, his achievements were not all military, and at the height of his career he had become an influential and accomplished European statesman.

Around 995-1000 Cnut was born the son of King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark (probably the second son after his brother Harald), and his childhood was spent in this dangerous hotbed of political

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1145 words

Citation: Bolton, Timothy. "Reign of King Cnut". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 05 May 2006 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1665, accessed 21 November 2024.]

Reign of King Cnut

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