Harthacanute

Harthacanute

Rank:	20th
Ruled:	March 17, 1040-June 8, 1042
Predecessor:	Harold I
Date of Birth:	1018
Place of Birth:	England
Wife:	Never married
Buried:	Winchester Cathedral
Date of Death:	June 8, 1042
Parents:	Canute and Emma

Harthacanute (sometimes Hardicanute, Hardecanute; Danish Hardeknud, Canute the Hardy) (1018/1019-June 8, 1042), was the only son of Canute the Great and Emma of Normandy. He succeeded his father as king of Denmark in 1035, reigning as Canute III, but agreed the following year to leave his elder illegitimate half-brother Harold Harefoot in charge of Canute's realm of England.

Harold took the English crown for himself in 1037, but died (1040) as Harthacanute was preparing to invade. During his ensuing two-year reign in England Harthacanute invited Edward the Confessor (Emma's son by Ethelred the Unready) back from exile in Normandy as co-ruler and next in line to the throne. Harthacanute proved a harsh and unpopular ruler. He was unmarried and had no children. He died on June 8, 1042, in London, and was buried at Winchester. Edward assumed the throne on Harthacanute's death, restoring the Saxon royal line for his lifetime.

Preceded by: Harold I	List of British monarchs	Succeeded by: Edward the Confessor
Preceded by: Canute the Great	List of Danish monarchs	Succeeded by: Magnus I of Denmark and Norway

Referenced By