Hardicanute: 1040-1042

Upon the death of his father, Cnut, Harthacnut was the legitimate heir to the English throne. However, he was forced to defend his father's lands in Scandinavia, and thus his half-brother Harold picked up the crown of England.

Harthacnut planned to invade England and reclaim the throne from Harold, but before his fleet set sail, Harold had died. Thus Harthacnut arrived unopposed in June of 1040AD.

Harthacnut was a harsh and unpopular ruler. He oversaw a dramatic increase in taxation, with the money being used to pay for his war fleet. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle speaks dismissively of him: "He never accomplished anything kingly for as long as he ruled."

After a short rule, Harthacnut died on the 8th June 1042AD. It is said that he "..died as he stood at his drink, and he suddenly fell to the earth with an awful convulsion; and those who were close by took hold of him, and he spoke no word afterwards."

Harthacnut was succeeded by Edward, son of Æthelred II, thus briefly restoring the Saxon line to the English throne.

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