Cnut the Great

Cnut, called the Great (c. 995–1035), was the younger son of Swein Forkbeard. He invaded England in 1015, defeated Edmund Ironside at Assandun in October 1016, and became king on Edmund's death weeks later. In 1017 he married Æthelred's widow Emma of Normandy, inheriting Denmark in 1018.

He defeated Norwegian and Swedish rivals at the Helgeå in 1026 and took Norway in 1028. Ruler of England, Denmark and Norway, the core of the North Sea Empire, he died at Shaftesbury on 12 November 1035 and was buried at Winchester.