[Sidenote: The large dominion of K. Cnute. _Hen. Hunt._ _Alb. Crantz_.] This Cnute was the mightiest prince that euer reigned ouer the English people: for he had the souereigne rule ouer all Denmark, England, Norwaie, Scotland, and part of Sweiden. Amongest other of his roiall acts, he caused such tolles and tallages as were demanded of way-goers at bridges and strÈets in the high way betwixt England and Rome to be diminished to the halfes, and againe got also a moderation to be had in the paiment of the archbishops fees of his realme, which was leuied of them in the court of Rome when they should receiue their palles, as may appeare by a letter which he himselfe being at Rome, directed to the bishops and other of the nobles of England. In the which it also appeareth, that besides the roiall interteinment, which he had at Rome of pope Iohn, he had conference there with the emperour Conrad, with Rafe the king of Burgongne, and manie other great princes and noble men, which were present there at that time: all which at his [Sidenote: Grants made to the benefit of Englishmen, at the instance of king Cnute. _Fabian_. _Polydor_. _Matt. West._] request, in fauour of those Englishmen that should trauell vnto Rome, granted (as we haue said) to diminish such duties as were gathered of passingers. He receiued there manie great gifts of the emperour, and was highlie honored of him, and likewise of the pope, and of all other the high princes at that time present at Rome: so that when he came home (as some write) he did grow greatlie into pride, insomuch that being [Sidenote: He caused his chaire to be set there, as _Matth. West._ saith. _Hen. Hunt._] nÈere to the Thames, or rather (as other write) vpon the sea strand, nÈere to Southhampton, and perceiuing the water to rise by reason of the tide, he cast off his gowne, and wrapping it round togither, threw it on the sands verie neere the increasing water, and sat him downe vpon it, speaking these or the like words to the sea: "Thou art (saith he) within the compasse of my dominion, and the ground whereon I sit is mine, and thou knowest that no wight dare disobeie my commandements; I therefore doo now command thÈe not to rise vpon my ground, nor to presume to wet anie part of thy souereigne lord and gouernour." But the sea kÈeping hir course, rose still higher and higher, and ouerflowed not onelie the kings fÈet, but also flashed vp vnto his legs and knees. Wherewith the king started suddenlie vp, and [Sidenote: The saieng of king Cnute.] withdrew from it, saieng withall to his nobles that were about him: "Behold you noble men, you call me king, which can not so much as staie by my commandement this small portion of water. But know ye for certeine, that there is no king but the father onelie of our Lord Iesus Christ, with whome he reigneth, & at whose becke all things are [Sidenote: Zealouslie inough, if it had bin according to true knowledge.] gouerned.