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King Cnut (Canute)
King of England from 1016, Denmark from 1018 and Norway from 1028. Canute defeated Edmund (II) Ironside at Assandun, Essex, in 1016 and became king of England on Edmund's death.
Under Canute's rule English trade improved, and he gained favour with his English subjects by sending soldier back to Denmark. Canute and Edmund Ironside split up England, and Canute ruled Mercia and Northumbria until he inherited the whole kingdom. The empire collapsed on his death. He was buried at Winchester.