Original: Harthacnut was a harsh and unpopular ruler: to pay for his fleet, he severely increased the rate of taxation, and in 1041 the people of Worcester killed two of Harthacnut's housecarls who had been collecting the tax, prompting an attack by Harthacnut in which the city was burned.
Simplified: Harthacanute was a harsh and unpopular ruler: to pay for his ships, he greatly increased the rate of taxation. In 1041 the people of Worcester killed two of Harthacanute's men who had been collecting the tax.