Unlike previous kings, who had to fight for the right to the throne, Canute the VI was already before his father, Valdemar the Great’s death, chosen as the next king.
Canute VI (King of Denmark 1182-1202)
Who actually ruled the country during Canute the VI’s reign has raised some questions as Bishop Absalon, who was Valdemar the Great’s advisor and close friend, continued in the same position as Canute VI's right hand. Many important decisions were made by Absalon, not Canute. It was also Absalon, who later on led the war against the Venders.
The peasants, who had been supportive of Canute’s father Valdemar the Great, now turned against their king refusing to pay Bishop Absalon’s tithe, which was a church tax taking a substantial part of the peasants money. Canute, Absalon and the Danish noblemen would take no such behavior from the peasants and gathered an army to show the peasants their place. This came to a bloody battle in which many peasants lost their lives. The battle put an end to the peasant rebellions against the Danish king and church.
From the German border, Canute had the threat of Emperor Barbarossa, who demanded Canute accepted him as overlord. It was Absalon, who replied to Barbarossa’s demands, saying that Barbarossa had no right to the land of Denmark, which made Barbarossa fly into rage. He sent the Vender Duke Bugislav and his fleet to the Danish island of Zealand to fight the Danish king. Canute, however, was away on business and in his place was Absalon and the Danish fleet, who it is said, was hiding in the fog and took Bugislav by surprise.
The immense strength of the Danes resulted in the surrender of the Venders and Canute now called himself “the Danes and the Venders king” This statement remained in the title of Danish kings up until 1972.
Absalon wasn’t the only one to influences Canute the VI’s decisions. His younger brother Valdemar had shown himself as quite the strategic player and as he was coming into age it is thought that Absalon and Valdemar might have had as much say in the ruling of Denmark as the king himself. Regardless of who made the decisions during Canute VI reign, the country of Denmark had once again become a leading force in northern Europe and a power to be reckoned with.
Canute the VI had no children when he died on November 12th, 1202 and his brother Valdemar was to follow him as king.
For more on the history of the Danish Monarchy read: The Danish Monarchy-The Beginning and The Danish Monarchy 1202-1241, King Valdemar the Victorious
Sources:
www.kongehuset.dk
www.kongernesjelling.dk
www.kingsofdenmark.dk
