After Sweyn’s death, the Anglo-Saxons invited Æthelred the Unready back to the throne. Cnut, determined to claim what he believed was his birthright, immediately launched an invasion of England in 1015. This marked the beginning of a brutal struggle for the English crown. Initially, Cnut’s forces faced setbacks, as Æthelred and his son, Edmund Ironside, managed to hold off the invaders.

1016 – Battle of Ashingdon and the Death of Æthelred

The defining moment of this conflict came in 1016 at the Battle of Ashingdon. This battle, fought on October 18, 1016, saw Cnut’s forces decisively defeat the combined Anglo-Saxon army of Æthelred’s son, Edmund Ironside. Although Edmund managed to escape, the battle marked the turning point in the war for England. Following the battle, the two leaders—Cnut and Edmund—entered into a temporary peace agreement. However, Edmund died later that year, leaving Cnut as the uncontested ruler of England.

Cnut's Reign as King of England (1016 – 1035)

After the death of Edmund Ironside, Cnut became the King of England in 1016, a position he would hold for nearly two decades. His reign was marked by a series of challenges, but his ability to consolidate power through strategic marriages, alliances, and ruthless suppression of uprisings ensured his long-term success.

The Marriage to Emma of Normandy

One of Cnut’s most politically significant moves was his marriage to Emma of Normandy, the widow of Æthelred the Unready. By marrying Emma, Cnut secured a powerful alliance with the Anglo-Saxon nobility, many of whom had been loyal to her late husband. Emma was also a powerful figure in her own right and would go on to bear Cnut two children, Harthacanute and Harold Harefoot, who would play important roles in the history of England after Cnut’s death.

Establishment of Law and Order

Cnut was a pragmatic ruler. He sought to blend Viking and Anglo-Saxon cultures, maintaining the structure of Anglo-Saxon law while ensuring his own authority was respected. Cnut sought to bring peace to England after years of Viking invasions, and his reign saw a period of relative stability and prosperity for the kingdom. He was known for his fairness, establishing laws that were a combination of both Danish and Anglo-Saxon traditions. His commitment to justice was also reflected in his attempts to curb the power of the church, though he himself was a devout Christian. shutdown123