In the opening of 1014 Swein died suddenly at Gainsborough; and the spell of terror was broken.

The Witan recalled "their own born lord," and AEthelred returned to see the Danish fleet under Swein's son, Cnut, sail away to the North.

It was but to plan a more terrible return.

Youth of nineteen as he was, Cnut showed from the first the vigour of his temper.

Setting aside his brother he made himself king of Denmark; and at once gathered a splendid fleet for a fresh attack on England, whose king and nobles were again at strife, and where a bitter quarrel between ealdorman Eadric of Mercia and AEthelred's son Eadmund Ironside broke the strength of the realm.