Cnut: The Danes in England in the Early Eleventh Century (The Medieval World) [Paperback]

M. K. Lawson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0582059704 | ISBN-13: 978-0582059702 | Publication Date: April 11, 1995 | Edition: 1

Dr Lawson's study of Cnut's reign, includes an analysis of the state of late Anglo-Saxon England and a review of the main sources. If offers new interpretations and highlights the problems facing medievalists in evaluating information. This is the first full length study of Cnut since 1912 and will be essential reading for early medievalists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Lawson xxx;succeeds in illustrating how the rule of the man he calls 'the most successful of all pre-Conquest rulers of Britain' deserves such close study.' Times Literary Supplement

From the Publisher

By his death in 1035, King Cnut was the most powerful monarch of Northern Europe. With his father, Swegen Forkbeard, king of Denmark, he invaded England in 1013, driving its king, Aethelred II (‘the Unready’) into temporary exile in Normandy. Aethelred’s son, Edmund Ironside, took up the struggle; but the deaths of Swegen and both Aethelred and Edmund in 1016 left Cnut master of the entire kingdom. He subsequently added Denmark itself and Norway to his territories, and probably a part of Sweden too. King Cnut was able, ruthless and more than just a successful opportunist.

M.K. Lawson is History Master at St Paul’s School in London. His other books include The Battle of Hastings, also published by Tempus. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: Longman Group United Kingdom; 1 edition (April 11, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0582059704
• ISBN-13: 978-0582059702
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,202,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough Study of Little Known Episode in English History, April 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cnut: The Danes in England in the Early Eleventh Century (The Medieval World) (Paperback)

Lawson's coverage of the reign of Cnut and of the Danish conquest of England in the 11th century, is a thorough examination of a subject rarely covered in most histories of the island. About 50 years before the famous Norman Conquest of 1066, the Danish conquest was accomplished on the battle field by Cnut's father Svegn and cemented in Cnut's law codes. The England they conquered was one tired of wars and eager for a chance at peace. Lawson's study examines the ways in which Cnut engineered an aura of legitimacy to his reign, by using personal loyalty, legal codes, close relations with the church and, finally, by marrying the widowed queen of the Anglo-Saxon king, Aethelred the Unready. This is a very carefully researched work, shedding light on a compelling period in English history.

This book is not for the historically uninitiated or for those who like their history on the light side. However, for those who enjoy an in-depth study of primary sources, this work fills an important gap in scholarship.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A very difficult read!, September 19, 2008

By 

John P. Sander (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cnut: King of England 1016-1035 (Paperback)

I found this book frustrating to read since Lawson constantly refers to the source material assuming that every reader is a professional historian. The main things I learned from this book was what we do not know about Cnut and his times. The source material is scanty but overwelming the reader with ambiguities does not help. I was not very familiar with late Anglo-Saxon England but the book should have been more accessable for an important figure in English and Scandinavian history.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Same book, January 26, 2006

By 

A reviewer (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cnut: King of England 1016-1035 (Paperback)

This book is good. Unfortunately, it is the exact same book written by M.K. Lawson under a different title. If I had known that, I wouldn't have spent another $20 on a book I already have. M.K. Lawson has the SAME book on Cnut out by two different titles.

Anyway, it is a good, thorough, scholarly work.