King Harthacnut (1040 - 1042)
Name: King Harthacnut
Born: c.1018
Parents: Cnut and Emma of Normandy
Relation to Charles III: 1st cousin 29 times removed
House of: Denmark
Ascended to the throne: March 17, 1040
Crowned: June, 1040 at Canterbury Cathedral, aged c.22
Married: Unmarried
Children: None
Died: June 8, 1042 at Lambeth, London
Buried at: Winchester
Reigned for: 2 years, 2 months, 21 days
Succeeded by: his half brother Edward
Was the eldest son of King Canute II and Emma of Normandy and was therefore the heir to the English crown. He had been proclaimed king of Denmark in 1028 but when Canute died in 1035 Harthacnut was defending his land in Denmark. In his absence his illegitimate half-brother, Harold Harefoot was crowned King Harold I of England in 1037. Naturally there was a struggle between the two brothers that only ended on the death of Harold (17June 1040). Harthacnut sailed to England with a large fleet and was immediately accepted as king.
Timeline for King Harthacnut
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1040 | Harold Harefoot dies and Harthacanute accedes to the throne |