Canute Svenson

Canute is a Danish prince and a son of King Sweyn Forkbeard. When he first appears at age 17, he seems weak and shy. He hardly speaks, hides behind his loyal guardian Ragnar, and cannot do much on his own. He is also a devoted Christian, which makes the rough Viking warriors around him laugh at him.

Everything changes after Ragnar is killed. Losing the man who looked after him all his life breaks something in Canute, and he wakes up a different person. He becomes calm, commanding, and fearless, and he begins to speak like a true king. He decides to build a paradise for people here on Earth, instead of waiting for God to bring one. To do this he needs power, so he starts plotting against his own father.

At first Canute is guided by Askeladd, who sees in him the chance for a better ruler. The giant warrior Thorkell also comes to follow him after seeing how much he has changed. Canute's story is a sharp look at power and what it costs a person. He is based on the real King Canute the Great, who ruled Denmark, England, and Norway in the eleventh century.