King Harthacnut was the only son of Cnut the Great and Emma of Normandy. He was usurped to the throne of England by his half-brother, Harold I Harefoot, who dies a few years later. Harthacnut has him exhumed, beheaded and cast into a marsh! His short reign was most notable for tax increases during poor harvests, civil unrest and dying while toasting the health of a bride.