Canute

Canute's History

After St. Brice's Day Massacre in England, Canute gathers an army of revenge in Kattegat to avenge the people who had settled in the Danelaw. After successfully defeating England and installing himself as King of England, Canute is forced to leave England to protect Denmark, which is under attack by one of his enemies, the Wends, a Rus group of people from the East. Before departing, he marries Emma of Normany, the Queen of England, in the middle of the night.

Canute is wise, savvy, and ruthless. He has nearly unlimited ambition. He wants to build an empire that stretches across the top of Europe. Canute has to manage the growing tensions and violence between Christians and pagans so that he can unite all the people as one Viking nation to take revenge upon England. His father, King Sweyn Forkbeard, describes Canute as forward-thinking, patient, and fair, all things that Sweyn Forkbeard is not.

Canute sees the benefits possible from forming allegiances. His leadership style is one aimed at general peace. He understands he needs to make allies to maintain power. But at heart, he is a Viking, so any enemies or traitors will be dealt with severely.