Cnut

Cnut the Great was a 11th-century Scandinavian ruler who became King of England, Denmark, and Norway, uniting parts of Northern Europe under his control. Known for his leadership and efforts to maintain order, he demonstrated pragmatic authority and sought to respect the limits of his power, famously trying to demonstrate that he was not divine by commanding the tide to stop—an act illustrating the importance of recognizing natural boundaries. His reign marked a significant period of stability and consolidation of Scandinavian influence in medieval Europe.