Canute Reproving His Courtiers For Their Sycophantic Folly. Editorial Photo

Harmsworth`s Universal Encyclopedia 1940s.Cnut the Great, also known as Canute, was King of Denmark, England and Norway, often referred to together as the North Sea Empire during his rule. The story of King Canute and the tide is an apocryphal anecdote illustrating the piety or humility of King Canute the Great, recorded in the 12th century by Henry of Huntingdon. Canute demonstrates to his flattering courtiers that he has no control over the elements the incoming tide, explaining that secular power is vain compared to the supreme power of God.