St.Kanut

Canutus, m. in Dania

BIOGRAPHY

From 1080 he was king in his native Denmark. He had a family, lived devoutly, and strove to expand and consolidate the Christian life in his empire, in which pagan customs still prevailed in places. His government’s support for the church did not please some nobles, led by his treacherous brother Olaf, who longed for regency. King Kanut (Knut) was murdered while praying in front of the altar of the Odense temple.

BIOGRAPHY FOR MEDITATION

THE PIOUS MONARCH AND PATRON SAINT OF DENMARK

He was born in Denmark around 1040, the illegitimate son of King Sven III Estridsson. He received a Christian upbringing and paid great attention to the advice of the gospel. He later married the daughter of Count Robert of Flanders, Adéla, and with her had a son, Charles, who was nicknamed the Pious.

He was king from 1080. So he became one at about the age of 40, and his reign lasted only 6 years. In many ways, he is compared to the Czech monarch St. Wenceslaus, especially in piety, love, justice, and martyrdom, in which his own brother participated.

From the beginning of his reign, he very actively supported the spread of Christianity in the country and sought to root out paganism with its customs. Although he was a king, he tried to live simply, fasted sternly, and wore a harsh penitential garment beneath his kingly clothing as an ascetic. He was still helping him become conscious of love and adopt the right attitude towards God and people. Before God, he accepted responsibility for managing the earth and leading its inhabitants.

He was generous in granting alms to the poor, building hospitals and temples. In his humility, he dedicated his royal crown to the temple at Roskilde, saying, “This jewel is more fitting to be used to adorn a sacred place than to vanity and worldly pride:” After passing the royal badges in front of the image of the Crucified One, he also issued a statement, in connection with the victory over the enemies who invaded the earth, that he was subjecting himself and the entire empire to Jesus Christ, King of all kings and lord of all rulers, and has no other wish than for the Christian faith to flourish in his country and be preserved for all time.

In his respectful behavior towards the clergy, he set an example for his subjects and did not allow anyone in his court anything that would be at the expense of the church. He removed the clergy from the authority of secular courts and subjected them fully to the power of the bishop and his court. He gave eight bishops the rank of imperial princes with a leading parliamentary seat. He sent missionaries to neighboring nations, not seeking fighting, but striving for peace. He defended himself valiantly against pagan invaders and tried to lean the defeated towards Christianity.

Kanut’s apostolic activities also stimulated many enemies in his nation. His own brother Olaf envied him a place on the throne and craved the crown. Kanut, eager to ensure the future coverage of the needs of temples and clergy, began to think aloud about introducing church tithes, which aroused opposition and dissatisfaction with the king’s Christian rule among the greedy nobles. His brother Olaf was looking for a way to overthrow the king. An opportunity arose when a plea for help against enemies came from England to Denmark in 1085. Kanut therefore ordered a navy to be prepared for help and entrusted the high command over it to his brother Olaf. He betrayed and incited the army of which he became the commander against his king Kanut. The conspirators’ efforts led to the army’s dissolution, which ceased to heed the monarch’s appeals.

In his merciful justice, Kanut did not want to punish the conspirators with death under the law; he just imposed a conditional fine on them, which they did not have to pay if they committed to church tithes. The magnates rejected the offer, and when the fine they had verbally favored was enforced, they launched a general revolt that they led across the country.

Anticipating his killing, King Canute fled to the island of Funen (Fionia) to Odense, where, in the temple of St. Albana he received the sacraments. Then he prayed aloud in front of the altar: “Lord and God! To you, I like to sacrifice my life, for honor and glory and for the protection of your Church. Accept my sacrifice and grant the enemies the grace to know the truth and to regret. Forgive them as I forgive them.” Meanwhile, the attackers tried in vain to pry open the gate, so the stones broke the windows and attacked the king with arrows from their bows and spears from the ladders. They also attacked his brother Benedict and 17 persons loyal to him.

Kanut’s grave was glorified by miracles. In 1101, Kanut was canonized by Pope Paschal II.