Knut IV (Denmark)

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"The Death of Canute the Holy", historicizing painting by Christian Albrecht von Benzon (1843)

Canute IV the Saint (* approx. 1043 ; † July 10, 1086 in Odense ) was King of Denmark .

Life

Knut was the son of Sven II Estridsen . In 1080 he followed his brother Harald III. on the royal throne. He tried to expand the powers of royalty. With a church-friendly policy, he sought the support of the bishops.

Some sources claim that he gave orders to extend the Christmas season to a total of 20 days until January 13, known as St. Knut's Day .

When he gathered troops to conquer England in 1086, a popular uprising broke out. The reason was not so much his expansion plans as his repeated interventions in the traditional legal system of the country. Knut and his brother Benedikt were slain in the St. Alban's Church in Odense on Funen , which he built, the predecessor of today's Sankt Knuds Kirke . Ælnoth of Canterbury wrote his legend; "Life and Passion of St Canute".

His wife Adela , the daughter of the Flemish Count Robert I , returned to her homeland after the death of her husband. Her son Karl became Count of Flanders , her daughter Ingegerd married the Swedish nobleman Folke den Dicken , ancestor of the Folkung family .

Appreciation

Since Knut was known for his church-friendly politics and was slain in a church, he was declared a martyr . In 1101 he was canonized. The holidays are January 19th and July 10th. He is the patron saint of Denmark.

Knut is buried in Odense Cathedral; his skeleton can be seen today in a glass coffin.

See also

literature

Web links

Commons : Knut IV. (Denmark)  - Collection of images, videos and audio files
predecessor Office successor
Harald III. King of Denmark
1080-1086 		Olaf I.
personal data
SURNAME Knut IV.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Holy Knud
BRIEF DESCRIPTION King of Denmark, martyr and saint of the Catholic Church
DATE OF BIRTH 1043
DATE OF DEATH July 10, 1086
Place of death Odense