A Viking king whose area of power included England, Denmark, Norway, and parts of Sweden and is most famous for reportedly commanding the waves to go back.
According to legend the King became so tired with his courtiers flattering him that when one said the King was so great he could turn back the sea he decided to prove him wrong.
He carried out a demonstration with some saying it took place at Southampton.
The king died in 1035, at a monastery, in Shaftesbury in Dorset. He was buried in the old Minster in Winchester.
When the current Winchester Cathedral was built on the site of the Saxon minster, Canute's bones were moved to a mortuary chest.
Name: King Canute Occupation: Poet Laureate, one of the most popular English poets.
DATE OF BIRTH: Circa 995-November 12, 1035 LOCAL LINK: Buried in Winchester
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