Cnut (or Canute), King of the North Sea Empire, is famous for trying to stop the waves, a story representing the futility of "turning back the tide" of an inexorable event. Illustrating his humility, one day he tried to make a point to his courtiers: he had no control over the waves, as a comment about God’s power. He sat on his throne on the shore of the sea and commanded the tide to stop. Obviously, it didn't.
Boudicca (or Boadicea) was a warrior and leader of the Iceni Celtic tribe on the east coast of Britain. When the Romans screwed her over when her husband died, she revolted with an army of 100,000 people, wreaking relentless violence and death.
“Let us show them that they are hares and foxes trying to rule over dogs and wolves," she cried.
“Let us show them that they are hares and foxes trying to rule over dogs and wolves," she cried.
