Canute V of Denmark

Canute V Magnussen ( – 9 August 1157) was a King of Denmark from 1146 to 1157, as co-regent in shifting alliances with Sweyn III and Valdemar I. Canute was killed at the so-called Bloodfeast of Roskilde in 1157.

Biography Canute was born around 1129, the son of Magnus the Strong and his consort Richeza of Poland. After the abdication of Eric III in 1146, the magnates of Jutland declared Canute king, while the magnates of Zealand and Scania crowned Sweyn III, Sweyn and his cousin Duke Valdemar, the son of Canute Lavard, defeated Canute in Jutland in 1150, and Canute fled to his father-in-law Sverker I of Sweden. Canute attempted a number of reconquests, all of them unsuccessful, and turned to Frederick Barbarossa for help. The resulting compromise of 1152, which was supported by Valdemar, made Canute the inferior co-regent of Sweyn. However, Sweyn decided not to effectuate the deal. Sweyn, Canute, and Valdemar were set up as co-rulers, with Canute ruling Zealand. Valdemar; he was Bishop of Schleswig and Prince-Archbishop of Bremen Hildegard; she married Jaromar I, Prince of Rugia (possible daughter but uncertain)