Harthacnut, King of Denmark 1028-42,
King of England 1040-42

d. 8 June 1042

Harthacnut, son of King Cnut and his wife Emma of Normandy, was proclaimed king of Denmark in 1028, during his father's successful campaign against Olaf of Norway. When his father died in 1035, the succession to the English throne was unclear. Although it is likely Cnut wanted Harthacnut to take the crown in preference to Harold, his son by his mistress Aelfgifu, he had not stated so publicly. Cnut's death came at an inopportune time for Harthacnut because Denmark was threatened by the rise to power in Norway of Magnus, son of Olaf, and he was unable to leave the country to pursue his claim to the English throne. At a council held in Oxford in 1036, it was decided that his half-brother Harold should became regent of England, with Queen Emma, Harthacnut's mother, looking after the interests of Hathacnut from Winchester. But, with Harthacnut in Denmark, Harold was able to scupper the compromise by marching on Winchester, seizing the treasury and forcing Emma into exile. Harold was formally recognised as king in 1037.

Harthacnut was able to strengthen his position in Denmark through a treaty with Magnus of Norway in which the succession to their two kingdoms was agreed - if either died childless, their lands would go to the other - and so, in 1039 Harthacnut was free to join his mother in Bruges, to prepare for an invasion of England. In the event an invasion was not needed, because on 17 June 1040 Harold died and Harthacnut was invited to England as king.

He arrived with a fleet of sixty-two ships and the intention to maintain such a fleet, four times the size it had been under Harold and Cnut. In order to do so he increased taxes on his English subjects. This provoked popular discontent such as that of the citizens of Worcester, who killed two of the king's tax collectors in 1041. Harthacnut's revenge was swift and ruthless and his forces ravaged the whole county.

Unpopular though Harthacnut was, he is credited with acting well towards his half-brother and potential rival Edward, the son of his mother Emma and King Aethelred. Edward was brought to England to rule with Harthacnut; which presumably would allow the latter to return to Denmark more easily. This foresight meant that when Harthacnut died suddenly - the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles say he had a fit while drinking at a feast - Edward was the obvious successor to the childless king.

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