Even this revised story may be folklore, but it at least draws attention to one of England's most overlooked kings. A Danish prince who defeated the Anglo-Saxon ruler Edmund Ironside (supposedly murdered by an assassin while using the facilities), Canute reigned England between 1016 and 1035 and united it with Norway and Denmark to form the short-lived North Sea Empire.

His dominion died with him and the Norman Conquest quickly overshadowed his achievements, but Canute remains one of only two English kings to enjoy the title 'the Great'.

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