On 6th January 1017 England entered a period of
Danish rule when Cnut (otherwise spelled Canute) was crowned King in London’s
St Paul’s Cathedral. He was to reign until 1035 and in the meantime also became
King of Denmark in 1019 and of Norway in 1028, thus making England part of a
North Sea empire.
The reign of King Cnut
Life during Cnut’s reign was not easy, as he was a stern
ruler who countered any opposition with extreme ruthlessness. He also enforced
his laws strictly and punishments for misdemeanours were severe. For example,
an adulterous wife would have her nose and ears cut off; presumably adulterous
men were treated very differently!
That said, Cnut was also scrupulously fair and hated
injustice. He recognised talent where he saw it and gradually eased out his
Danish ministers in favour of English ones.
Cnut versus the sea
The story that is always told about Cnut is that he
commanded the sea to turn back but got his feet wet. The story is largely true,
but the point of it is often missed. It was not that Cnut thought himself to be
almighty – rather the opposite, because he was seeking to show that he was not.
Cnut had a palace at Bosham, a small village on an inlet of
Chichester Harbour in West Sussex. Visitors today will note that the inlet is
completely dry at low tide and it is possible to drive or walk from one side to
the other. However, when the tide comes in it does so very quickly and it is
easy to get caught by it or find that you were unwise in your choice of parking
place!
Cnut knew this very well (apart from the bit about car
parking, that is), and so when some of his courtiers started saying silly
things along the lines of how powerful he was and that even the wind and waves
would obey him, he ordered that he be carried on his throne down to the shore
just as the tide was coming in at its usual speed.
The words he used were: “Ocean! The land where I sit is
mine, and you are part of my dominion. Therefore rise not – obey my command and
do not dare to wet the edge of my robe”. Needless to say the inevitable
happened, after which Cnut addressed his courtiers with the words: “Confess now
how frivolous and vain is the might of an earthly king compared to that great
Power who rules the elements”.
Let’s hope that one of the courtiers had the good sense to
have a towel handy!
© John Welford
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