King Canute died at Shaftesbury leaving the rule of the country in dispute between Harthacnut (the son of Emma) and Harold Harefoot (the son of Aelfgifu). The Earls of Northumbria and Mercia supported Harold's claim while Earl Godwin supported Harthacanute's. Canute's body was taken to Winchester to be buried. Harthacnut was in Denmark at the time of his father's death and was unable to travel to England because of invasion threats.

With Harthacnut still in Denmark a meeting was held at Oxford that chose Harold to act as regent of England.

Magnus, the King of Norway and Harthacnut, the King of Denmark signed a treaty stipulating that if either died without an heir his kingdom must pass to the other. Hathacnut. as son of Canute, was not only King of Denmark but had a claim to the English throne. When Harthacnut died in 1042 Magnus claimed the thrones of Denmark and England.

After a period in Denmark, Harthacanute returned to England to reclaim the throne of England which had been taken by Harold.

After a long exile at the Norman court Edward the Confessor returned to England. Harthacanute had no wife or heir so had invited Edward to return as Edward had the right to claim the English throne. Edward's right to the throne was not certain and so he enlisted the help of Earl Godwin, who agreed to give his assistance if Edward married his daughter Edith. Edward was accompanied by Robert Champart, the Abbot of Jumieges who would become one of Edwards key councellors.

In this year tax collectors arrived in Worcester to collect money in order to pay the Danes to stop attacking the country. The citizens of Worcester refused to pay and the tax collectors had to seek refuge. But before they could find safety they were murdered by the mob. In response, the king Harthacanute, sent an army to deal with the rioters.

When the army sent by Harthacanute arrived at Worcester they found that the city had been abandoned. The people of Worcester fearing the army had taken refuge on an island in the River Severn called Bevere Island. The army ransacked the city and left it burning before approching the island. The army was warmly welcomed by the people of the island and no further action was taken.

Harthacanute collapsed while attending a party and died shortly afterwards. He died without an heir and so the crown reverted back to the Saxons and Edward the Confessor was crowned King of England at Easter of 1043 at Winchester. After the death of Harthacanute Magnus took control in Denmark.