If Canute had been the big man, he would probably have said yes, but, being the little man, he decidedly said no.

However, he declared that he was willing to divide the kingdom--to take all that lay north of Watling Street, as the old Roman military road from Dover to Chester was called, and to give Ironside all that lay south of it.

Most men being weary of so much bloodshed, this was done.

But Canute soon became sole King of England; for Ironside died suddenly within two months.

Some think that he was killed, and killed by Canute's orders.