Cnut (also known as Knut Sveinsson) came to the English throne as a consequence of sustained Viking attacks by his father, the Danish king Swein Forkbeard (died 1014), from the late 10th century. In 1016, Cnut agreed to share the kingdom with Edmund Ironside, son of Ethelred the Unready by his first wife, but seized it all when Edmund died soon afterwards.
To consolidate his position, he disposed of would-be opponents and imposed heavy taxes. He also married Ethelred's widow Emma, despite already (from 1013) being married to Elfgifu of Northampton, whom he sent as regent to his other territories.
Once his authority was established, he ruled in the tradition of his Anglo-Saxon predecessors, and the latter part of his reign was mostly peaceful. He issued a raft of laws through Wulfstan, archbishop of York, reminding both clergy and public of their duties. He had converted to Christianity in his youth and became a generous patron of the Church.
The story of Cnut trying to hold back the tide appeared about a century after his death, in the writings of Henry of Huntingdon. The gesture was allegedly designed to illustrate to his courtiers the limits of royal power.
Following his brother's death, Cnut succeeded to the Danish throne in 1018, and briefly ruled Norway as well. He delegated power to 'earls' to rule provinces in his absence. When he died, the succession was fought over by Harold Harefoot and Harthacnut, one son from each of Cnut's marriages.
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 Journal of Ancient and Medieval History: Cnut, the Viking king of England
http://dicksonc.act.edu.au/Showcase
/ClioContents/legends/cnut.html
Annotated biography of Cnut from the website of Dickson College, Australia. Other articles cover a broad range of topics from the era.
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The Reign of Cnut: King of England, Denmark and Norway, edited by Alexander Rumble (Continuum International, 1999)
This book assesses Cnut as ruler, not only of England, but also of Denmark and Norway. The contributors take an international and interdisciplinary approach. How did Cnut's experience and obligations as king of one country influence his actions as king of others? Were his policies consistent or purely pragmatic? What were the social effects of his rule? The studies in this collection seek to illuminate the various influences that operated on Cnut as king and also explain some of the events of his life.
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