Plan of Canute's [Cnut's] Trench or canal across Southwark & Lambeth 1827 map'Plan of Canute's Trench' The map shows the supposed routes of Canute or Cnut's canal through south London. King Cnut the Great (the one who tried to hold back the tide) tried to lead a fleet up the Thames to invade London, but his ships could not pass the early medieval London Bridge. His army then apparently dug a 4 mile trench from Rotherhithe through south London to Vauxhall. Maitland cited the text of the Saxon Chronicle and claims he found