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.

King Harold I Harefoot was the eldest son of Cnut the Great and Aelfgifu of Northampton. He inherited the throne while his brother, the preferred heir Harthacnut, was away in Denmark. During his reign, Harold struggled for power, clashing with the church. He died while his brother was preparing to invade England, to take back his rightful throne.

King Cnut the Great was the second son of Sweyn Forkbeard and Gunnhilde of Poland. He served in his father’s army as a teenager in England, gaining valuable experience that would later serve him well. Cnut was an excellent leader, with both the ferocity of a powerful warlord and the maturity of a great king. His determination and military might enabled him and his family to become kings of England and Scandinavia, in one of the great dynasties of the time. But, as with many before him, his power and empire would not last.

King Aethelred II (Æthelred or ‘Noble Council’) ('the Unready') was the younger son of Edgar the Peaceful and Aelfthryth, and king of England from 978-1013 and again from 1014-1016. Persistent Viking attacks, poor council and a lack of military ability plagued Aethelred II's reign. He lost the support of those around him, and the morale of the country. He was ultimately acceded by the Viking, Sweyn Forkbeard, who happened to die 3 months later. To which, Aethelred II was recalled to conditionally rule for 2 more years, until his death.