When Canute died in 1035 –
after a long, steady and peaceful rein – his son Harthacnut by Queen Emma was his legitimate heir. However, Harthacnut was busy in
Denmark repelling invasions from the Swedes and the Norwegians. With Harthacnut
unable to leave his post, his half-brother Harold took his place.
Harold
was reportedly Canute’s son by his mistress Aelfgifu of Northampton, though some believe she duped Canute into accepting
paternity of an adopted child in order to keep him happy. Whatever his
parentage, Harold had a weaker claim to the throne than Harthacnut. However, he appeared
to like the role of king and by the time Harthacnut was ready to assume the
throne, Harold had built England into such a stronghold and his half-brother
could only invade by force.
But by
the time Harthacnut arrived with his men, Harold had already died aged just 24.
He was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Deprived
of his vengeance, Harthacnut promptly had Harold dug up again. He was then beheaded,
then thrown in a fen bordering the Thames. His body was later recovered by
local fishermen and the Danish folk living nearby had him reburied. Eventually
Harold’s body was laid to rest at the fittingly named St Clement Danes church.
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