Canute Knut
Knut, or Canute, the name of six kings of Denmark. Two of them—Knut II and his son Knut III (usually called Hardecanute)—were also kings of England.
Knut II, Or Knut the Great(994?–1035), was the most important king to bear this name. He was the son of Sweyn (Sven) Forkbeard, king of the Danes. In 1014 Knut accompanied his father on an invasion of England, and when Sweyn died he continued the struggle. The death of both the native Saxon king Ethelred and his son Edmund, in 1016, ended all opposition and Knut was acknowledged king of all England. He also became king of Denmark in 1019 and of Norway in 1028. Scotland recognized his overlordship and he also ruled Schleswig.
England enjoyed 20 years of relative peace under Knut's rule, because he was powerful enough to resist Viking raiders. Although many Danes were still heathens. Knut was a pious Christian and conferred many favors on the English church. A medieval legend reflects his piety and good sense. One day, growing tired of insincere flattery, Knut had his throne placed on the seashore and ordered the waves to fall back. When the tide continued to come in, he turned to his courtiers and said: “Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings; for there is none worthy of the name but Him whom heaven, earth, and sea obey.”
Knut IV(died 1086) is the patron saint of Denmark.