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Canute V of Denmark

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Canute V
Bracteatefrom the reign of Canute V.
King of Denmark
Reign1146–1157[1]
PredecessorEric III Lamb
SuccessorValdemar I the Great
Bornc. 1129
Died9 August 1157 (aged 27–28)
Roskilde,Denmark
ConsortHelena of Sweden
Illegitimate children
Detail
Names
Canute Magnussen
HouseEstridsen
FatherMagnus I of Sweden
MotherRicheza of Poland

Canute V Magnussen(Danish:Knud V Magnussen) (c. 1129– 9 August 1157) was aKing of Denmarkfrom 1146 to 1157, as co-regent in shifting alliances withSweyn IIIandValdemar I.Canute was killed at the so-calledBloodfeast of Roskildein 1157. Nothing certain is known about his person and character.

Biography

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Canute was born around 1129, the son ofMagnus the Strongand his consortRicheza of Poland.After the abdication ofEric IIIin 1146, the magnates ofJutlanddeclared Canute king, while the magnates ofZealandandScaniacrownedSweyn III,[2]the nephew ofCanute Lavardwho Magnus had killed in 1131.[1]

In the following years, Canute tried in vain to defeat Sweyn III on Zealand for complete control over Denmark. In 1147, Canute and Sweyn united to undertake theWendish Crusade,which however ended in the re-ignition of their strife.[3]Sweyn and his cousinDuke Valdemar,the son of Canute Lavard, defeated Canute in Jutland in 1150, and Canute fled to his father-in-lawSverker I of Sweden.Canute attempted a number of reconquests, all of them unsuccessful, and turned toFrederick Barbarossafor help. The resulting compromise of 1152, which was supported by Valdemar, made Canute the inferiorco-regentof Sweyn. However, Sweyn decided not to effectuate the deal.[3]

Canute now formed an alliance with Valdemar and Sverker, whose daughterHelenaCanute was to marry. Sweyn fled Denmark in 1154, and Canute struck a deal with Valdemar, making him his co-ruler. Canute was an inferior king to Valdemar,[3]and after Sweyn's re-entry into Denmark, a final compromise was struck in 1157, under pressure from the Danish magnates.[2]Sweyn, Canute, and Valdemar were set up as co-rulers, with Canute ruling Zealand.[3]During the peace banquet inRoskildeon 9 August 1157, later known as theBloodfeast of Roskilde,Sweyn attempted to kill both Canute and Valdemar.[2]Canute was allegedly killed by one of Sweyn's warriors.[3]

Death of Canute in the 13th-centurySächsische Weltchronik

Canute's half-sisterSofia of Minskmarried Valdemar, who avenged him the same year by killing Sweyn at theBattle of Grathe Heathto win Denmark for himself.

Issue

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Not more than a year before his death, Canute marriedHelen of Sweden,but they had no children.[3]Canute fathered two or three children out of wedlock:[4][3]

  1. Saint NielsofAarhus(died 1180); he lived as monk[5]
  2. Valdemar;he wasBishop of SchleswigandPrince-Archbishop of Bremen
  3. Hildegard; she marriedJaromar I, Prince of Rugia(possible daughter but uncertain)

References

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  1. ^abMonarkiet i Danmark – KongerækkenArchived2009-11-18 at theWayback MachineatThe Danish Monarchy
  2. ^abcKnud 5. Magnussenat Gyldendals Åbne Encyklopædi
  3. ^abcdefgBricka, Carl Frederik(ed.),Dansk Biografisk Lexikon,vol. IX [Jyde – Køtschau], 1895. "Knud (Magnussen)",Hans Olrik,pp.263–264.
  4. ^S. Otto Brenner:Nachkommen Gorms des Alten (König von Dänemark -936-),1964/1978, p. 255 & 258
  5. ^Skt. Niels af Århus (11??-1180)ArchivedJuly 16, 2011, at theWayback Machineby Aarhus Municipal Library
Canute V
Born:ca. 1129Died:9 August 1157
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Denmark
1146–1157
withSweyn Grathe&
Valdemar the Great 		Succeeded by

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