Ka-noot the Great!

As I lay there awake this morning at 3 o’clock, I wondered what my family heraldry was. So, coming to grips with the reality that sleep would elude me, I decided to get up and research it. I was not rewarded with a family coat of arms, but I did discover that I’m descended from Cnut the Great (pronounced ka-noot), former King of England, Denmark, and Norway.

Considering that his reign was over a thousand years ago, we are not closely related, but I’m counting it. I was surprised to learn that we have Danish blood. I was aware of English and Scottish, but this was a new development. I further learned that the K at the beginning of my surname should not in fact be silent, but should make a hard “ka” sound.

I was also surprised to learn that the phrase, “you could sooner stop the tide than for such and such to happen” came from Cnut. Apparently, the story goes that one day Cnut had his throne brought out to the beach and placed next to the water. He sat down and exclaimed to the sea, “I am Cnut, a great and mighty king. I have won many victories and conquered many lands. No one stands before my might. I command you to hold back your waters and keep the tide from coming in.” Or something near to that.

Of course, the water rushed in and soaked his feet and legs anyway. Cnut jumped to his feet and exclaimed, “Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings, for there is none worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws.” He then took off his crown and hung it on a crucifix, never to wear it again.

It is not believed that Cnut really thought he could stop the tide, but rather that he wanted his followers to see that no man was greater than God. From this story we got the popular phrase that we use today, although a little altered from the original context and intent.

So, my spousal unit is descended from kings, and apparently so am I.