Canute II the Tall (Swedish: Knut Långe; Knut Holmgersson), was King of Sweden from 1229 until his death in 1234. He was the father of Holmger Knutsson, a later pretender for the Swedish throne. Both father and son were members of the House of Folkung (Folkungar). [1]
Not much is certain about his background. An unreliable, late fourteenth century source calls him "Knut Joansson",[2] but the dominating theory is that he was identical with "Knut Holmgersson" who was a member of King Eric XI's council and was a relative to the king, and that his father was the man Holmger who was called a "nepos" of King Canute I of Sweden. This theory is supported by the fact that one of Knut's sons was named Holmger. Nepos usually meant nephew, but could be used for other younger relatives.[2] If these identifications are correct, Canute would be the great-grandson of king Eric the holy. A few historians have instead suggested that the late source might be correct and that Canute's father was Jon Jarl.[3][1]
Some sources give Canute's spouse as Danish noble woman Helena Pedersdatter Strange ( c. 1200–1255). However this theory has been challenged by noted historian Hans Gillingstam (1925–2016), who instead believed that he was married to an unknown woman from the House of Bjelbo, evidenced by the Coat of arms on the tomb cover of his son Holmger.[3] Canute had the sons Holmger Knutsson (d. 1248) and Philip Knutsson (d. 1251), who both died in Folkung uprisings against Birger Jarl. [4]
Biographyedit
In 1220, Canute donated land to two Dominican friars at Sko in Uppland. They left after a while, and the land instead formed the nucleus of the Sko Abbey (Skokloster)for cistercian nuns. According to a 16th-century source, he was eventually buried there.[3][5]
Canute was probably a member of the council that ruled Sweden from 1222 to 1229, during the minority of King Eric XI of Sweden. In 1229 or 1230, Eric was overthrown after the Battle of Olustra in Södermanland. Canute's exact involvement in the rising is unclear: he might have participated, or been a compromise candidate. He was recognized in 1231 at the latest, but his time in office was short. The sources contradict each other on the matter of Eric's return: the Lund annals claim that Eric returned before the death of Canute in 1232, the Eric Chronicle that he returned following the death of Canute and after renewed fighting.[2]Sturla Tordsson claimed that Canute for a while was co-regent with King Eric X, which could indicate that he was co-regent with Eric XI during some part of his reign.[3]
Canute's reign likely saw the revision of some Swedish laws: creditors could no longer enter the homes of debtors to collect debts without the assistance of a government official, and the king was required to hold judicial reviews at least every third year. These changes have been noted as having taken place in the reign of King Canute, and due to chronological considerations, Canute II is thought to be most likely.[2][3]
Referencesedit
^ ab"Knut långe". Svenskt biografiskt lexikon. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
canute, sweden, canute, tall, swedish, knut, långe, knut, holmgersson, king, sweden, from, 1229, until, death, 1234, father, holmger, knutsson, later, pretender, swedish, throne, both, father, were, members, house, folkung, folkungar, canute, tall, coin, beari. Canute II the Tall Swedish Knut Lange Knut Holmgersson was King of Sweden from 1229 until his death in 1234 He was the father of Holmger Knutsson a later pretender for the Swedish throne Both father and son were members of the House of Folkung Folkungar 1 Canute II the Tall Coin bearing the effigy of Canute IIKing of SwedenReign1229 1234PredecessorEric XISuccessorEric XIDied1234IssueHolmger Knutsson Philip KnutssonNamesSwedish Knut Lange till Sko Knut HolmgerssonFatherHolmger Contents 1 Family 2 Biography 3 References 3 1 Works cited 4 Bibliography 5 External linksFamily editNot much is certain about his background An unreliable late fourteenth century source calls him Knut Joansson 2 but the dominating theory is that he was identical with Knut Holmgersson who was a member of King Eric XI s council and was a relative to the king and that his father was the man Holmger who was called a nepos of King Canute I of Sweden This theory is supported by the fact that one of Knut s sons was named Holmger Nepos usually meant nephew but could be used for other younger relatives 2 If these identifications are correct Canute would be the great grandson of king Eric the holy A few historians have instead suggested that the late source might be correct and that Canute s father was Jon Jarl 3 1 Some sources give Canute s spouse as Danish noble woman Helena Pedersdatter Strange c 1200 1255 However this theory has been challenged by noted historian Hans Gillingstam 1925 2016 who instead believed that he was married to an unknown woman from the House of Bjelbo evidenced by the Coat of arms on the tomb cover of his son Holmger 3 Canute had the sons Holmger Knutsson d 1248 and Philip Knutsson d 1251 who both died in Folkung uprisings against Birger Jarl 4 Biography editIn 1220 Canute donated land to two Dominican friars at Sko in Uppland They left after a while and the land instead formed the nucleus of the Sko Abbey Skokloster for cistercian nuns According to a 16th century source he was eventually buried there 3 5 Canute was probably a member of the council that ruled Sweden from 1222 to 1229 during the minority of King Eric XI of Sweden In 1229 or 1230 Eric was overthrown after the Battle of Olustra in Sodermanland Canute s exact involvement in the rising is unclear he might have participated or been a compromise candidate He was recognized in 1231 at the latest but his time in office was short The sources contradict each other on the matter of Eric s return the Lund annals claim that Eric returned before the death of Canute in 1232 the Eric Chronicle that he returned following the death of Canute and after renewed fighting 2 Sturla Tordsson claimed that Canute for a while was co regent with King Eric X which could indicate that he was co regent with Eric XI during some part of his reign 3 Canute s reign likely saw the revision of some Swedish laws creditors could no longer enter the homes of debtors to collect debts without the assistance of a government official and the king was required to hold judicial reviews at least every third year These changes have been noted as having taken place in the reign of King Canute and due to chronological considerations Canute II is thought to be most likely 2 3 References edit a b Knut lange Svenskt biografiskt lexikon Retrieved August 1 2020 a b c d Harrison 2002 p 116 117 a b c d e Gillingstam 1977 Holmger Knutsson Svenskt biografiskt lexikon Retrieved August 1 2020 Skokloster svenskakyrkan se Retrieved August 1 2020 Works cited edit Gillingstam Hans 1977 Knut lange Svenskt biografiskt lexikon in Swedish Harrison Dick 2002 Jarlens sekel in Swedish Stockholm Ordfront forlag ISBN 91 7324 999 8 Bibliography editAdolfsson Mats Nar borgarna brann svenska uppror Stockholm Natur amp Kultur 2007 Larsson Mats G Gotarnas riken upptacktsfarder ill Sveriges enande Bokforlaget Atlantis AB 2002 ISBN 978 91 7486 641 4External links edit nbsp Media related to Canute II of Sweden at Wikimedia Commons Canute IIHouse of Eric Died 1234 Regnal titles Preceded byEric XI King of Sweden1229 1234 Succeeded byEric XI Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Canute II of Sweden amp oldid 1220861601, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
