How does king canute show that his courtiers were flatterers
Answers
Explanation:
Over on the Literature Stack Exchange, someone asked about the evolution of the story of King Cnut and the tide. This well-known story has a proverbial version, in which Cnut in his pride believes that he can stop the tide, and a more sophisticated version, in which Cnut stages the demonstration to rebuke his flattering courtiers. But the original account by Henry of Huntingdon (1129) has neither of these features:
[W]hen at the summit of his power, he [Cnut] ordered a seat to be placed for him on the sea-shore when the tide was coming in; thus seated, he shouted to the flowing sea, “Thou, too, art subject to my command, as the land on which I am seated is mine; and no one has ever resisted my commands with impunity. I command you, then, not to flow over my land, nor presume to wet ihe feet and the robe of your lord.” The tide, however, continuing to rise as usual, dashed over his feet and legs without respect to his royal person. Then the king leaped backwards, saying: “Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings, for there is none worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws.”1
How did the story change into its modern forms? When did Cnut become proud? Who provided the flattering courtiers for him to rebuke?