Canute IV of Denmark

King of Denmark Canute quickly proved himself to be a highly ambitious king as well as a devout one. He enhanced the authority of the church, and demanded austere observation of church holidays.

His reign was marked by vigorous attempts to increase royal power in Denmark, by stifling the nobles and keeping them to the word of the law. and his canonization was already being sought during the reign of Olaf.

In 1300, his remains and those of his brother Benedict were interred in Saint Canute's Cathedral, built in his honour, where his remains are on display. As such his cult spread throughout Denmark. The English monk Aelnoth of Canterbury wrote his biography which helped spread devotion to him in England. The Benedictine monastery at Odense served as the cult centre for Canute. During the 1120s or 1130s devotion to the martyred king reached its pinnacle in Denmark.

Popular culture In parts of Spain, Canute's feast day has reportedly become a tongue-in-cheek "holiday" for the marijuana legalization movement, appropriating the Spanish version of his name, Canuto, which coincidentally is also the word for a marijuana cigarette.

Was a character in the popular anime and manga named Vinland saga as a fictional version of Canute facing many hardships and respecting the main character “Thorfinn Karlsefni”. This is incorrect as Canute in the Manga is based off Canute the Great (c. 990 – 12 November 1035). Thorfinns journey takes place in 1010.