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Canute reproving his courtiers
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Canute reproving his courtiers
Canute (Cnut) reproving his courtiers. King Canute of England (1016-1035) and Denmark (1018-1035) gets his feet wet to demonstrate to his sycophantic courtiers that even kings have no power over the forces of nature.
11th century
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Media ID 14385878
© Mary Evans Picture Library
11th 1836 Canute Cnut Courtier Courtiers Demonstration Denmark Feet Kings Power Proof Shore Visitor Waves Reproving Sycophantic
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Canute's Demonstration of Power and Humility: A 11th Century Monarch's Defiance of Nature's Forces This evocative image captures the legendary moment when King Canute, also known as Cnut, of England and Denmark (1016-1035) demonstrated the limits of earthly power to his sycophantic courtiers. King Canute, wearing the regal crown and robes, sits on a makeshift throne at the water's edge, with the vast expanse of the North Sea stretching out before him. His courtiers, including noblemen and visitors, stand respectfully in attendance, some with their hands raised in submission. Determined to prove that even the mightiest of kings could not control the natural world, King Canute orders his courtiers to bring the sea to him. As the waves crash against the shore, the king wades into the water, demonstrating his powerlessness against the relentless forces of nature. The courtiers, initially taken aback by their monarch's unconventional display, come to understand the importance of humility and the limitations of human authority. This powerful scene, which has been depicted in various forms of art throughout history, serves as a reminder of the enduring relationship between monarchs, power, and nature. The image, taken from an 1836 publication by Mary Evans Picture Library, is a testament to the enduring allure of this historical tale and the timeless wisdom it imparts.
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