Difference between revisions of "Harthacanute" - New World Encyclopedia
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{{Infobox British Royalty|Monarch | {{Infobox British Royalty|Monarch | ||
| name=Harthacanute | | name=Harthacanute | ||
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| image=CoinHarthacnut.jpg | | image=CoinHarthacnut.jpg | ||
| imagesize= 250px | | imagesize= 250px | ||
| − | | reign= | + | | reign=March 17 1040 – June 8 1042 |
| − | | predecessor=[[Canute the Great]] (Denmark)<br>[[Harold Harefoot]] (England) | + | | predecessor=[[Canute the Great]] (Denmark)<br/>[[Harold Harefoot]] (England) |
| − | | successor=[[Magnus I of Norway|Magnus I]] (Denmark)<br>[[Edward the Confessor]] (England) | + | | successor=[[Magnus I of Norway|Magnus I]] (Denmark)<br/>[[Edward the Confessor]] (England) |
| − | | date of birth= | + | | date of birth=1018 |
| place of birth= [[England]] | | place of birth= [[England]] | ||
| − | | date of death= | + | | date of death=June 6, 1042 |
| place of death=England | | place of death=England | ||
| − | | place of burial= | + | | place of burial=Winchester Cathedral, [[Winchester]], England |
| spouse= | | spouse= | ||
| father=[[Canute the Great]] | | father=[[Canute the Great]] | ||
| mother=[[Emma of Normandy]] | | mother=[[Emma of Normandy]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | '''Harthacanute''' ('''Canute the Hardy''', sometimes '''Hardicanute''', '''Hardecanute''', '''Hörthaknútr'''; [[Danish language|Danish]]: '''Hardeknud''') ( | + | '''Harthacanute''' ('''Canute the Hardy''', sometimes '''Hardicanute''', '''Hardecanute''', '''Hörthaknútr'''; [[Danish language|Danish]]: '''Hardeknud''') (1018 – June 8, 1042) was [[King of Denmark]] from 1035 to 1042 as well as [[King of England]] from 1040 to 1042. He was the only son of [[Canute the Great]] and [[Emma of Normandy]]. |
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| + | ==Biography== | ||
| + | ===Early Life=== | ||
| + | He succeeded to the throne of [[Denmark]] in 1035, reigning as '''Canute III''', yet a war against [[Magnus I of Norway]] meant he could not secure his claim to the throne of [[England]]. Consequently, it was agreed that his elder illegitimate half-brother [[Harold Harefoot]] was to be [[regent]] there.Harold took the English crown for himself in 1037—Harthacanute being "forsaken because he was too long in Denmark"<ref name=asc>The ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]''</ref>—and the Queen-mother, [[Emma of Normandy|Emma]], who had previously been resident at [[Winchester]] with some of her son's housecarls (household guard), was made to flee to [[Bruges]], in [[Flanders]]. Harthacanute settled his difficulties in [[Scandinavia]] through a treaty he had made with Magnus in 1038 or 1039. This stated that they agreed that if one of them were to die without an heir the other should be his successor. Harthacanute then began to prepare for an invasion of England, and the deposition of Harold from the kingship. Harold, however, died on March 17 1040, before any conquest could occur. Harthacanute was then invited to England, and the landing at [[Sandwich, Kent|Sandwich]] on June 17 1040, "seven days before [[Midsummer]]"<ref name=asc/>, with a fleet of 62 warships was a peaceful one. He did though, with apparent scorn, command Harold's body to be taken from its tomb and cast in a [[fen]] with the animals. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Reign=== | ||
| + | Harthacanute was a harsh and unpopular ruler: to pay for his fleet, he severely increased the rate of [[taxation]], and in 1041 the people of [[Worcester, England|Worcester]] killed two of Harthacanute's housecarls who had been collecting the tax, prompting an attack by Harthacanute in which the city was burned. The story of [[Lady Godiva]] riding naked through the streets of [[Coventry]] to persuade the local earl to lower taxes may come from the reign of Harthacanute. The ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'' gives a dismal assessment of him: "He never accomplished anything kingly for as long as he ruled." It also says that in 1041 Harthacanute broke a pledge and betrayed Earl Eadwulf of [[Northumbria]], who was under his safe conduct. | ||
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| + | In 1041, Harthacanute invited his half-brother [[Edward the Confessor]] (his mother Emma's son by [[Ethelred the Unready]]) back from exile in [[Normandy]] to become a member of his household, and probably made Edward his heir. Harthacanute was unmarried and had no known children. It is rumoured he fathered an illegitimate son, William Canute. On June 8, 1042, he died at [[Lambeth]]—he "died as he stood at his drink, and he suddenly fell to the earth with an awful convulsion; and those who were close by took hold of him, and he spoke no word afterwards…"<ref name=asc/> He was buried at [[Winchester, Hampshire|Winchester]], his father's place of rest, and his mother's, on her death. Edward assumed the throne on Harthacanute's death, restoring the [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] royal line of [[Wessex]]. | ||
| + | ===Death=== | ||
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| − | + | ==Legacy== | |
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | * ''The Anglo- | + | * Anonymous. ''The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.'' 2007. Eastbourne, East Sussex: Gardners Books. ISBN 9781406817416 |
* Campbell, Alistair, and Simon Keynes. 1998. ''Encomium Emmae Reginae.'' Camden classic reprints, 4. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press for the Royal Historical Society. ISBN 9780521626552. | * Campbell, Alistair, and Simon Keynes. 1998. ''Encomium Emmae Reginae.'' Camden classic reprints, 4. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press for the Royal Historical Society. ISBN 9780521626552. | ||
* Howard, Ian. 2008. ''Harthacnut, King of England.'' Anglo-Saxon England. Stroud: History. ISBN 9780752446745 | * Howard, Ian. 2008. ''Harthacnut, King of England.'' Anglo-Saxon England. Stroud: History. ISBN 9780752446745 | ||
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{{start box}} | {{start box}} | ||
| − | {{s-hou||| | + | {{s-hou|||1018|June 8|1042}} |
{{s-reg}} | {{s-reg}} | ||
{{s-bef|before=[[Canute the Great]]}} | {{s-bef|before=[[Canute the Great]]}} | ||
| − | {{s-ttl|title=[[List of Danish monarchs|King of Denmark]]|years= | + | {{s-ttl|title=[[List of Danish monarchs|King of Denmark]]|years=1035-1042}} |
{{s-aft|after=[[Magnus I of Norway|Magnus the Good]]}} | {{s-aft|after=[[Magnus I of Norway|Magnus the Good]]}} | ||
{{s-bef|before=[[Harold Harefoot]]}} | {{s-bef|before=[[Harold Harefoot]]}} | ||
| − | {{s-ttl|title=[[List of English monarchs|King of England]]|years= | + | {{s-ttl|title=[[List of English monarchs|King of England]]|years=1040-1042}} |
{{s-aft|after=[[Edward the Confessor]]}} | {{s-aft|after=[[Edward the Confessor]]}} | ||
{{end}} | {{end}} | ||
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|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Canute the Hardy; Hardicanute; Hardecanute; Hörthaknútr; Hardeknud | |ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Canute the Hardy; Hardicanute; Hardecanute; Hörthaknútr; Hardeknud | ||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=[[King of Denmark]] and [[King of England]] | |SHORT DESCRIPTION=[[King of Denmark]] and [[King of England]] | ||
| − | |DATE OF BIRTH= | + | |DATE OF BIRTH=1018 |
|PLACE OF BIRTH= | |PLACE OF BIRTH= | ||
| − | |DATE OF DEATH= | + | |DATE OF DEATH=June 8, 1042 |
|PLACE OF DEATH=[[Lambeth]] | |PLACE OF DEATH=[[Lambeth]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
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[[Category:Viking Age monarchs]] | [[Category:Viking Age monarchs]] | ||
[[Category:Anglo-Norse monarchs]] | [[Category:Anglo-Norse monarchs]] | ||
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[[Category:Burials at Winchester Cathedral]] | [[Category:Burials at Winchester Cathedral]] | ||
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{{Crefit|225075575}} | {{Crefit|225075575}} | ||
Revision as of 16:18, 10 September 2008
| Harthacanute | |
|---|---|
| King of Denmark and England | |
| File:CoinHarthacnut.jpg | |
| Reign | March 17 1040 – June 8 1042 |
| Predecessor | Canute the Great (Denmark) Harold Harefoot (England) |
| Successor | Magnus I (Denmark) Edward the Confessor (England) |
| Father | Canute the Great |
| Mother | Emma of Normandy |
| Born | 1018 England |
| Died | June 6, 1042 England |
| Buried | Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, England |
Harthacanute (Canute the Hardy, sometimes Hardicanute, Hardecanute, Hörthaknútr; Danish: Hardeknud) (1018 – June 8, 1042) was King of Denmark from 1035 to 1042 as well as King of England from 1040 to 1042. He was the only son of Canute the Great and Emma of Normandy.
Biography
Early Life
He succeeded to the throne of Denmark in 1035, reigning as Canute III, yet a war against Magnus I of Norway meant he could not secure his claim to the throne of England. Consequently, it was agreed that his elder illegitimate half-brother Harold Harefoot was to be regent there.Harold took the English crown for himself in 1037—Harthacanute being "forsaken because he was too long in Denmark"[1]—and the Queen-mother, Emma, who had previously been resident at Winchester with some of her son's housecarls (household guard), was made to flee to Bruges, in Flanders. Harthacanute settled his difficulties in Scandinavia through a treaty he had made with Magnus in 1038 or 1039. This stated that they agreed that if one of them were to die without an heir the other should be his successor. Harthacanute then began to prepare for an invasion of England, and the deposition of Harold from the kingship. Harold, however, died on March 17 1040, before any conquest could occur. Harthacanute was then invited to England, and the landing at Sandwich on June 17 1040, "seven days before Midsummer"[1], with a fleet of 62 warships was a peaceful one. He did though, with apparent scorn, command Harold's body to be taken from its tomb and cast in a fen with the animals.
Reign
Harthacanute was a harsh and unpopular ruler: to pay for his fleet, he severely increased the rate of taxation, and in 1041 the people of Worcester killed two of Harthacanute's housecarls who had been collecting the tax, prompting an attack by Harthacanute in which the city was burned. The story of Lady Godiva riding naked through the streets of Coventry to persuade the local earl to lower taxes may come from the reign of Harthacanute. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle gives a dismal assessment of him: "He never accomplished anything kingly for as long as he ruled." It also says that in 1041 Harthacanute broke a pledge and betrayed Earl Eadwulf of Northumbria, who was under his safe conduct.
In 1041, Harthacanute invited his half-brother Edward the Confessor (his mother Emma's son by Ethelred the Unready) back from exile in Normandy to become a member of his household, and probably made Edward his heir. Harthacanute was unmarried and had no known children. It is rumoured he fathered an illegitimate son, William Canute. On June 8, 1042, he died at Lambeth—he "died as he stood at his drink, and he suddenly fell to the earth with an awful convulsion; and those who were close by took hold of him, and he spoke no word afterwards…"[1] He was buried at Winchester, his father's place of rest, and his mother's, on her death. Edward assumed the throne on Harthacanute's death, restoring the Saxon royal line of Wessex.
Death
Legacy
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Anonymous. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 2007. Eastbourne, East Sussex: Gardners Books. ISBN 9781406817416
- Campbell, Alistair, and Simon Keynes. 1998. Encomium Emmae Reginae. Camden classic reprints, 4. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press for the Royal Historical Society. ISBN 9780521626552.
- Howard, Ian. 2008. Harthacnut, King of England. Anglo-Saxon England. Stroud: History. ISBN 9780752446745
- Ingram, J. 2004. The Anglo-Saxon chronicles. [Belle Fourche]: NuVision Publications. ISBN 9781595472755
- O'Brien, Harriet. 2005. Queen Emma and the Vikings: power, love, and greed in eleventh-century England. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781582345963
- Stenton, F. M. 2001. Anglo-Saxon England. Oxford: Oxford University Press.ISBN 9780192801395
| Born: 1018; Died: June 8 1042 | ||
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|
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| Preceded by: Canute the Great |
King of Denmark 1035-1042 |
Succeeded by: Magnus the Good |
| Preceded by: Harold Harefoot |
King of England 1040-1042 |
Succeeded by: Edward the Confessor |
| |||||||||||||||||
.svg){kind=small}
Pre-conquest
Alfred the Great • Edward the Elder • Athelstan the Glorious • Edmund the Magnificent • Edred • Edwy the Fair • Edgar the Peacable • Edward the Martyr • Ethelred the Unready • Sweyn Forkbeard*† • Edmund Ironside • Canute the Great*† • Harold Harefoot • Harthacanute (Canute the Hardy)* • Edward the Confessor • Harold Godwinson • Edgar the Outlaw
Post-conquest
William I the Conqueror • William II Rufus • Henry I Beauclerc • Stephen • Matilda • Henry II • Richard I the Lionheart • John Lackland • Henry III • Edward I Longshanks • Edward II • Edward III • Richard II • Henry IV Bolingbroke • Henry V • Henry VI • Edward IV • Edward V • Richard III • Henry VII • Henry VIII‡ • Edward VI‡ • Lady Jane Grey‡ • Mary I‡ • Elizabeth I‡ • James I‡§ • Charles I‡§ • Interregnum • Charles II‡§ • James II‡§ • William III‡§¶ & Mary II‡§ • William III‡§¶ • Anne‡§
* also Monarch of Denmark • † also Monarch of Norway • ‡ also Monarch of Ireland • § also Monarch of Scotland • ¶ also Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel and Drenthe
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Harthacanute |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Canute the Hardy; Hardicanute; Hardecanute; Hörthaknútr; Hardeknud |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | King of Denmark and King of England |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1018 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | |
| DATE OF DEATH | June 8, 1042 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Lambeth |
Template:Crefit
