First English Empire

As opposed to the First French Empire, there would be a supposed English version of Napoleon, who conquers all of the territories originally conquered by the French. It would basically be a larger version of English territory during the Hundred Years War, however instead England would take control of Ireland, Iceland, and parts of Norway and Greenland. So how would you go about creating this English superpower?
 
Knut den Store (the Great), King of Denmark, England, Norway and Parts of Sweden, 1016-1035, would seem to be a fair start...

the basic problem was that he fumbled the succession, making the same mistake as Charlemagne; his empire was pulling in so many different directions, he felt the most practical thing to do was divide it between his sons.

Which actually went slightly worse than it did for Charlemagne, who had a better quality of descendant.

If Knut had had a competent successor to hold it together and let his other sons go a- venturing to carve out their own fortunes, that could be an Anglo- Nordic Empire well begun.
 
One could also use Margaret the Maid as a start (as in Reichfurst's TL).
She becomes Queen of Scotland, marries Edward II of England (and replaces him as regent when he acts out like OTL). and inherits Norway and its empire.
Give her a solitary capable son (else it may split between sons) to hold it altogether and there is a solid basis. It also avoids any HYW nastiness while still keeping the French at bay.
 
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