S10E1: The Viking's Son (St. Canute) | King of Denmark
Holy Donors
We are excited to introduce our new season of Holy Donors featuring King Canute the Saint. This season is different from our others in that it’s a shorter season, and it takes us much, much further back in time (over 1000 years ago!) to the time of the Vikings. Canute was born in Denmark in 1042 to Sweyn II, King of Denmark and father to more than 20 children, 5 of which followed him as king. Sweyn II died in 1076, and although it is rumored that Canute was his favorite child, Canute’s brother Harald, at the pleasure of the country’s aristocrats, was the first to take the throne. Canute became King of Denmark in 1080, and he was known as King Canute IV, a.k.a Canute the Saint. As king, Canute was a bold and faithful leader. He did whatever he thought was right, even if he upset Denmark's elite. He was a devout and disciplined Catholic, faithful to his wife (unlike his father!) and eager to spread the Gospel. He, in part, used his role as leader to build churches and support missionaries, using taxes paid by the aristocracy. Upset with Canute’s actions as King of Denmark, the aristocrats rebel, and they and their armies trap Canute, his brother, and a small number of loyal soldiers in St. Alban’s in Odense. They plan to kill Canute and take control of the country. Will King Canute survive? Join us next time to find out! --- Holy Donors is brought to you by Petrus Development (petrusdevelopment.com) in cooperation with RED-C Catholic Radio (redcradio.org). For more about Holy Donors please visit our website at holydonors.com or find us @HolyDonors on Instagram and Facebook. Holy Donors: Bringing you inspiring stories of radical generosity that have changed the world.