Canute (c. 980/990 - 1035) was the Danish monarch who became King of England by conquest in 1016, reigning until he died in 1035. He is chiefly remembered for the legend that he ordered his throne to be taken down to the beach where he sat on it and tried to order the tide to stop coming in, thereby getting his feet wet. Although often cited as an example of royal stupidity and arrogance, in fact, this was a display of his piety. He wished to demonstrate that only God has the power to control the world, and that even kings were not omnipotent.