After he conquered all he could see and made himself King. Cnut was at the height of his power, he took his chair to the edge of his lands as the tide was coming in. He said to the rising water, "You are subject to me, as the land on which I am sitting is mine, and no one can resist me with impunity. I command you not to rise on to my land or wet my clothing for I am your master." But the water came up as usual, and disrespectfully drenched his feet. Jumping back, the king cried, "Let all the world know that the power of kings is empty and worthless, and there is no king worthy of that name save that by whose will heaven, earth and the sea obey eternal laws."
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