King Cnut and the North Sea Empire
After Alfred the Great's victory at the Battle of Edington, a period of relative peace ensued between the Vikings and the English. The Danelaw was established, allowing Vikings to settle in the North and East of England.
The Decline of Anglo-Saxon Rule
The peaceful coexistence was disrupted after the death of Edgar the Peaceful, Alfred's great-grandson. This led to a series of events:
- Edgar's young sons, Edward and Aethelred, became heirs
- Edward reigned briefly before being murdered
- Aethelred took over but proved to be an ineffective ruler
Highlight: Aethelred's reign was marked by poor judgment and corrupt advisers, leading to a troubled period.
Viking Resurgence and Cnut's Rise to Power
Taking advantage of the weak Anglo-Saxon leadership, the Vikings renewed their attacks:
- In 991, Sven Forkbeard defeated the English at the Battle of Maldon
- Aethelred paid the Vikings to leave (Danegeld), which encouraged further invasions
- Aethelred sought help from Normandy and married Emma of Normandy
- Aethelred's order to kill many Vikings provoked Sven Forkbeard to attack again
- Sven Forkbeard briefly took the English throne but died shortly after
- His son, Cnut, eventually became the ruler of England after a period of conflict
Vocabulary: Danegeld - A tax raised to pay off Viking invaders to prevent them from raiding.
Cnut's Reign and the North Sea Empire
Cnut, like Alfred, earned the epithet "The Great" due to his fair and just rule. His reign was characterized by:
- Peace and stability lasting nearly 20 years
- No Viking invasions during his rule
- Efforts to win over local populations
- A mix of Danish and English nobles in positions of power
- Strong leadership regardless of ethnic background
Example: Cnut sent many battle fleets home as they were no longer needed, demonstrating the peace he had established.
Cnut's religious devotion and political acumen were evident in his:
- Good relationship with English Church leaders
- Respect for old English kings and their laws
- Reinstatement of popular laws from Edgar the Peaceful's reign
The North Sea Empire was formed when Cnut inherited:
- Denmark
- Norway
- Parts of Sweden
This empire, along with his rule in Britain, created a vast domain around the North Sea.
Definition: The North Sea Empire refers to the territories ruled by Cnut, encompassing England, Denmark, Norway, and parts of Sweden.
To further stabilize his rule and improve relations with Normandy, Cnut married Emma of Normandy, Aethelred's former wife. This union produced a son, Harthacnut, ensuring a clear line of succession for the North Sea Empire.
Highlight: Cnut's marriage to Emma of Normandy was a strategic move to strengthen diplomatic ties and secure his dynasty's future.
