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Biography
Biography
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Harthacnut (King of England 1040-1042)

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 Borncirca 1018   Born At
 Died8 June 1042  Buried At
 FatherCanute (King of England 1016-1035)  Mother
SucceededHarold (Harefoot, King of England 1037-1040)Preceded Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066)
 Royal House Denmark Titles include King of England from 1040 to 1042
 Borncirca 1018 / 
 Died8 June 1042 / 
arthacnut (Harthacanute) was the eldest son of Canute and his second wife Emma. When Canute died in November of 1035 Harthacnut was in Denmark and could not return to England because his claim to the (Danish/Norwegian ?) throne was being contested by Magnus I of Norway. Harthacnut appointed his mother Emma and Harold (I) Harefoot as regents to look after the affairs of England. Harold was also the son of Canute but by Canute's first marriage to Aelfgifu.

Harold Harefoot

Harthacnut was delayed from returning to England and a dispute between Emma and Harold began as to who should rule the country. Earl Godwin sided with Harold and in 1036 Harold was proclaimed as sole Regent. At this point Emma called to her sons in Normandy for assistance. Albert, one of her sons arrived in England and was promptly murdered possibly by the Earl Godwin. Emma took refuge in Bruges. Harold died in March of 1040, and the death may not have been natural. In June of the same year, Harthacanute landed in England with a suitably large fleet and claimed back the English throne.

High taxes

Harthacnut raised taxes to help pay for the defence of his large kingdom which included Denmark. Opposed to the increases a revolt started around Worcester and Harthacnut dealt with the rebels without mercy. Overall, Harthacanute was not a popular king, and when he died in 1042 the Saxon Edward the Confessor was chosen as his successor.


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Viking Invasions (click here)

Viking Invasions (click here)

Siblings (incl. half-siblings)

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Fantasy image of Gunhildr
Gunhildr
Fantasy image of Swein
Swein
Fantasy image of Harold (Harefoot, King of England 1037-1040)
Harold (Harefoot, King of England 1037-1040)
Fantasy image of Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066)
Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066)
Fantasy image of Alfred (Aetheling)
Alfred (Aetheling)
Fantasy image of Godgifu (Daughter of Aethelred)
Godgifu (Daughter of Aethelred)

Parents

Fantasy image of Canute (King of England 1016-1035)
Canute (King of England 1016-1035)
Fantasy image of Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred)
Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred)
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Family Tree Details

Father:Canute (King of England 1016-1035) (b.995? - d.1035)
Mother:Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred) (b.982? - d.1052)
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 Harthacnut (King of England 1040-1042) (b.1018? - d.1042)
 Harthacnut (King of England 1040-1042) (b.1018? - d.1042)

See Also

    People

    • Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred)
    • Canute (King of England 1016-1035)
    • Harold (Harefoot, King of England 1037-1040)
    • Alfred (Aetheling)
    • Magnus (I, King of Norway)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Other

    • Worcester

    Timeline

    1035(Age: 17yrs)
    Nov 12
    Canute dies

    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.

    1036(Age: 18yrs)
    ...
    Harold declared regent of England

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

    1038(Age: 20yrs)
    ...
    Treaty between Norway and Denmark

    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.

    1040(Age: 22yrs)
    Mar 17
    Harold Harefoot dies

    Harold died at Oxford leaving the English throne open for Hathacanute to claim.

    Jun
    Harthacanute lands in England and becomes King

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

    1041(Age: 23yrs)
    ...
    Edward the Confessor returns to England

    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. [1]

    May
    Worcester riots

    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.

    Nov
    Worcester rioters abandon the city

    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.

    1042(Age: 24yrs)
    Jun 8
    Harthacanute dies and Edward the Confessor becomes King

    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.

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    Selection of references used:

    • 1: David Charles Douglas, William the Conqueror: the norman impact upon England, University of California Press, 1977

      See Also

        People

        • Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred)
        • Canute (King of England 1016-1035)
        • Harold (Harefoot, King of England 1037-1040)
        • Alfred (Aetheling)
        • Magnus (I, King of Norway)
        • A .. Z List of Medieval People

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