A tale of two brothers

The country fast began to thrive

Until Cnut’s death in ’35.

Though luckily he had two heirs

To handle all his kingly cares.

But Harold and Harthacnut

Fell very quickly in dispute.

Harold reigned until ten 40

Then his brother upped and thought he

Ought to take his sibling’s place.

He sailed from Denmark to our land,

His battle strategies well planned,

Prepared to rule in Harold’s stead,

With thoughts of victory in his head…….

…..But Harold was already dead.

What followed was a grave disgrace.

Harthacnut took up the reigns

(The last of England’s ruling Danes)

And had his brother’s corpse exhumed

In anger, it can be assumed,

And though the king was clearly dead

He sliced his body from the head

And tossed the whole lot in the fen.

But then some Danish fishermen

Retrieved the sorry king’s cadaver

Dragging it, with some palaver

From the marsh where it was found

And buried it in sacred ground.

They had compassion, wit and brains

These friendly, kindly, clement Danes.