Download Cnut the Great: The Life and Legacy of Scandinavia's Most Famous King AudioBook Free
"King of all Britain and Denmark and the Norwegians and of some of the Swedes" (Cnut's self-proclaimed name) "Knut was very high and strong, and the handsomest of men, all except for his nose, that was skinny, high-set, and alternatively hooked. He previously a fair complexion none-the-less, and an excellent, thick tresses. His eyes were better than those of other men, both the handsomer and the keener of the view." (Knytlinga Saga) In a sense, Cnut the Great was basically destined for greatness, only if because he originated from a recognized Danish royal family. Cnut's daddy was Sweyn Forkbeard, and his grandfather was Harald Bluetooth, both dominant and legendary kings of Denmark. In the mean time, his mom was the widow of the Swedish king Erik the Victorious, the child of the Polish duke Mieszko, and a sister of the Polish king Boleslav Chrobry. Thanks to his track record and his own abilities, Cnut became the most dominant of the Danish kings of Britain (from 1016), but he was also, at times, king of Denmark (from 1018-1019), Norway (from 1028), and parts of Sweden (after 1026). During his reign, he united Britain, protected Denmark, and acquired a great deal of effect throughout Scandinavia, a impressive feat that he managed to complete through careful alliances and diplomacy, yet most often through direct make. Because of this, Cnut has been referred to as the best Anglo-Saxon king of England, even though he wasn't actually Anglo-Saxon. His death in 1035 emerged shortly prior to the Norman conquest of Britain by William the Conqueror. For years and years, the Vikings had been raiding throughout the spot, including in the British Isles, and Cnut's campaigns symbolized the apex of this activity. Somewhat ironically, Cnut is one of the best-documented market leaders of the Vikings, a civilization that fascinates people generally because they still appear mysterious and different in comparison to their Western counterparts.
