set up a government differing but little from that of the English.

[1] "Cnut," a shortened form of Canute.

After his first harsh measures were over he sought the friendship of
both Church and people. He gave the country peace. Tradition reports
that he rebuked the flattery of courtiers by showing them that the
inrolling tide is no respecter of persons; he endeavored to rule
justly, and his liking for the monks found expression in his song:

"Merrily sang the monks of Ely
As Cnut the King was passing by."

64. Canute's Plan; the Four Earldoms.

Canute's plan was to establish a great northern empire embracing
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and England. To facilitate the government of
so large a realm, he divided England into four districts,--Wessex,
Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria--which, with their dependencies,
embraced the entire country. (See map facing p. 38.)

Each of these districts was ruled by an earl[1] invested with almost
royal power. For a time the arrangement worked well, but eventually
discord sprang up and imperiled the unity of the kingdom. After
Canute's death two of his sons divided England between themselves;
both were bad rulers.

[1] Earl ("chief" or "leader"): a title of honor and of office. The
four earldoms established by Canute remained nearly unchanged until
the Norman Conquest, 1066.