thus ended, this experiment of keeping a standing, tax-funded force of Scandinavian mercenaries in England set a precedent which was followed by Cnut after his conquest of England, completed in 1016. Most of his invasion army was dismissed and returned home, but 40 ships and their crews were retained in the king's service.

The 12th-century Danish chronicler Sven Aggesen told a story of how these men were selected. According to this tale, Cnut had attracted a large