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King Canute and the Tide (English for Kids: Lesson 2)

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In this lesson, we read about Canute, King of England, Denmark, and Norway

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King Canute and the Tide (English for Kids: Lesson 2)

This is the second in a series of lessons that I am creating for elementary school children.

Each story will look at a short story from history. We will read the story together and the student will answer some questions. I will provide feedback.

If you would like to take this lesson, please read the story, and prepare answers to the questions that follow. You will have a chance to answer these questions in the lesson.

STORY:

Canute was a prince who lived 1,000 years ago. His grandfather was King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark. In the year 1015, Canute led an invasion* of England. He had 10,000 soldiers and 200 ships with him.

For over a year, he fought bloody battles* with the English. In 1016, he became the King of England. Two years later, he became King of Denmark, too. Finally, in 1028, he became King of Norway. As the King of three countries, he was one of the most powerful men in Europe at that time. Three of his sons became Kings of Denmark, England, and Norway. His daughter married an Emperor.

Canute was a very powerful king, but he wanted to teach his followers a lesson. One day, he sat on his throne* and told his followers to carry him to the edge of the sea. The tide* was coming in. His followers obeyed him. They put him and his throne at the water’s edge.

Looking out at the waves, Canute shouted:

‘I am King of the land; I am your king too, Sea. Therefore, I command you not to flow over my land. Stay where you are. Come no closer. Do not wet my feet or my clothes. I am King. No-one ever disobeys my commands.’

What do you think happened?

Of course, the sea did not obey Canute. The sea did what it always does. It flowed over his land; it covered his feet and legs. This proved that Canute was not its king.

When the water rose around him, Canute jumped off his throne and hurried to the dry land. Then he told his followers:

‘All men must know that the power of kings is nothing, because the only true King is He whom the sky, earth, and sea obey.’

Canute wanted people to know that God’s power was greater than his. From that day on, he never again wore his golden crown*.

***

SOME WORDS EXPLAINED:
An ‘invasion’ is when one country’s army enters (‘invades’) another country to fight.
A ‘battle’ is a fight between two armies. It may be as short as one hour; it might continue for weeks. Most wars include several battles.
A ‘throne’ is the special chair on which a king or queen sits.
The ‘tides’ are the rising and falling, twice each day, of the sea level. They are caused by the ‘pull’ of the moon and the sun.

A ‘crown’ is a special head covering that a king or queen wears.

***

QUESTIONS:

1. Canute was king of 3 countries. What are their names, and where are they?
2. Some histories state that Canute was a ‘Viking’. What do you know about Vikings? If you don’t know anything about Vikings, why not do some research on the Internet and find 3 facts about them?
3. The Vikings had very good boats called ‘longships’. Find some pictures of Viking longships and tell me what they look like.
4. When you read the story, do you think that Canute was a good man? Remember that he was a soldier and that he killed many people.
5. Do you believe the story about Canute and the tide? Or do you think that it is just a fable?
6. Do you know why the tide rises and falls twice (two times) a day?

7. Some countries have kings or queens like Canute. These days, many countries have Presidents. What do you think is better? Why?

***

If you request this lesson, I will send you an audio file in which I read the story. Please listen to my reading and practice reading the story aloud. I would like to hear you read it yourself. I will help to correct your pronunciation.
This lesson is intended for elementary school students.