On the gripping hand, Canute knew full well that he couldn&#x27;t turn back the tide --- he was demonstrating to his courtiers that even kings had limits; not all orders are obeyable.<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;King_Canute_and_the_waves" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;King_Canute_and_the_waves</a>