England in the Middle Ages took power in 978 following the murder of his brother Edward, but England was then invaded by Sweyn Forkbeard, the son of a Danish king. Attempts to bribe Sweyn not to attack using danegeld payments failed, and he took the throne in 1013. Swein's son, Cnut, liquidated many of the older English families following his seizure of power in 1016. Æthelred's son, Edward the Confessor, had survived in exile in Normandy and returned to claim the throne in 1042. Edward was childless, and the succession again became a concern. England became dominated by the Godwin family, who had taken advantage
King Leonardo and His Short Subjects on an even keel, has been by the king's side since they were children. King Leonardo's permanent foe is the gangster-visaged Biggie Rat (voiced by Beck), who routinely attempts to overthrow Leonardo and take over Bongo Congo. Biggie often has the help of Leonardo's sibling Itchy Brother (voiced by Swift), or an evil German inventor named Professor Messer (voiced by Beck). Biggie and his henchmen's various schemes always end in either landing in the dungeon or getting away. Episodes of "The King and Odie" that were exclusive to "Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales" feature Biggie Rat and Itchy Brother employed