He was known as Canute the Great, and he was the King of Denmark, Norway, England and for a short while Sweeden during the 11th century.
He was the King of England from 1016-1035. In that time he endeared himself to his new subjects by encouraging trade and agriculture and took a close look to try and improve schooling.
He was just as popular in Denmark and Norway where he governed with strength tempered with justice.
He had begun his career as a leader of Viking raiders under his fierce father Sweyn Forkbeard, who died in 1014.
When he accepted the English throne after the death of Edmund Ironside, however, Canute began to change and in no time he showed a kinder and fairer side to his personilty.