CHAPTER XXXI. 



SOME EXPEDITIONS AND DEEDS OF GREAT VIKINGS. 



(Continued.) 



Knut the Mighty His appearance His liberality His battles in England 

 Besieges London His numerous expeditions The successors of Knut. 



KNUT THE MIGHTY (1014-1035), or the Great, is, with Charle- 

 magne, one of the- greatest geniuses of that epoch ; he ruled 

 his three kingdoms with great ability, and died young (at 

 thirty-seven). The appearance of this great and powerful king 

 is thus described : 



" Knut was very tall and strong, and a very handsome man, 

 except that his nose was thin, prominent, low, and somewhat 

 crooked ; he had a fair complexion, with fair and long hair ; 

 he had finer and keener eyes than any man. He was liberal, 

 a great warrior, very valiant and victorious, a man of great 

 luck, in everything connected with power. He was not very 

 wise, neither were King Svein, Harald, nor Gorm " (Knyt- 

 linga Saga, c. 20). 



" King Knut was the most liberal of kings in the Northern 

 lands ; for it is truly said that he surpassed other kings no 

 less in the property he gave in friendly gifts every year than 

 in taking much more in taxes and dues from three great lands 

 than any other king who ruled one realm ; and moreover 

 England is richest in movable property of all the Northern 

 lands " (Kuytlinga Saga, c. 19). 



King Knut sent messengers to Olaf the Stout (Olaf Harald- 

 son) of Norway to claim obedience from him. 



" Sigvat went to the messengers of Knut, and asked for 

 news. They told him what he desired, their talk with King 

 Olaf, and the result of their errand. They said, ' The king had 

 taken the matter angrily ; and we do not know in whom he 



