the strength of the fleets of the united kingdom of england was an important element in the kingdom's power in the 10th century. at one point aethelred ii had an especially large fleet built by a national levy of one ship for every 310 hides of land, but it is uncertain whether this was a standard or exceptional model for raising fleets. during the period of danish rule in the 11th century a standing fleet was maintained by taxation, and this continued for a time under the restored anglo-saxon regime of edward the confessor, who frequently commanded fleets in person.