This king couldn't turn the tide (6)

I believe the answer is:

canute

(Other definitions for canute that I've seen before include "English king who ordered waves to retreat" , "The king who thought he could hold back the tide" , "The king who thought he could stop the tide" , "Old king of England who ordered the tide to go out" , "Old king of England who tried to stop the tide" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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