Harthacnut
| Harthacnut | |
|---|---|
Harthacnut in the 14th-century Genealogical Roll of the Kings of England | |
| King of Denmark | |
| Reign | 12 November 1035 – 8 June 1042 |
| Predecessor | Cnut the Great |
| Successor | Magnus I |
| King of England | |
| Reign | 1040 – 8 June 1042 |
| Predecessor | Harold I |
| Successor | Edward the Confessor |
| Born | c. 1018 England |
| Died | 8 June 1042 (aged 23–24) Lambeth, England |
| Burial | Aarhus Cathedral, Denmark |
| House | Knýtlinga |
| Father | Cnut the Great |
| Mother | Emma of Normandy |
Harthacnut (c. 1018 – 8 June 1042) was King of Denmark from 1035, and King of England from 1040 until his death in 1042. He was the last monarch of the North Sea Empire, an empire consisting of England and Denmark, and was also the last monarch of the House of Knýtlinga.
Harthacnut was the son of King Cnut the Great, who ruled Denmark, Norway, and England, and Emma of Normandy. After Cnut's death in 1035, Harthacnut faced challenges in retaining his father's territories. Magnus I seized control of Norway, while Harthacnut succeeded as King of Denmark. In 1040, following the death of his half-brother Harold Harefoot, he became King of England. Harthacnut died suddenly in 1042 and was succeeded by Magnus in Denmark and Edward the Confessor in England. He was the last Dane to rule England.