King Canute

After defeating Edmund (II) Ironside at Assandun, Essex, in 1016, Canute (c995-1035) was offered the English throne. became king of all England . He succeeded his brother Harold as king of Denmark in 1018 and conquered Norway in 1028 forcing the devout Olaf II to take refuge. Bought up as a pagan, who worshipped the Norse god Woden, Canute converted to Christianity mainly because of the influence of his devout wife, Emma of Normandy.

As king of England, Canute revived the alliance of church and state by instructing his sheriffs to pay attention to the bishops in the administration of justice and by mandating that offenders against church law are to be punished. The Viking king gave rich gifts to monasteries, founded abbeys, and is introducing a number of Christian laws for the payment of tithes to churches. He also legislated that Sunday be observed as a day of rest from business and amusements. However despite supporting the church with great zeal, his murdering of political opponents and his removal of the Christian King Olaf II from the Norwegian throne cast doubts on the extent of his own personal commitment.