Valhalla: Why Canute’s Father Isn’t The King Of Denmark

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Warning! SPOILERS for Vikings: Valhalla

In Vikings: Valhalla, episode 7, “Choices,” reveals that Sweyn Forkbeard (Søren Pilmark) is still alive, bringing up questions about why Canute (Bradley Freegard), his son, is the King of Denmark, and not Forkbeard himself. During the Viking era, kingdoms often changed hands quickly, whether due to rulers mysteriously dying, like King Edmund (Louis Davison), or claimants to the throne making their move when an opportunity presented itself. With Forkbeard very much alive while his son is the King of Denmark, it initially seems like an oversight, but there are some possible explanations for why Canute is on the throne.

Halfway through Vikings: Valhalla season 1, Canute’s Denmark is under attack by the Wends, and so he leaves his newly acquired post as King of England to protect his land. While King Edmund is initially relieved when he hears from his advisor, Godwin, that Canute left in the middle of the night, his hopes are quickly dashed when he learns that Sweyn Forkbeard has come to rule in his son’s absence. While Edmund had been frustrated enough with Canute, he quickly finds that Forkbeard is even more difficult to see eye-to-eye with.

Related: Valhalla: Why King Aethelred Killed The Vikings

Vikings: Valhalla season 1 does not directly explain why Forkbeard isn’t the King of Denmark, but there are some possible reasons for this unexpected arrangement. Though it’s no secret that Vikings: Valhalla has made major historical changes to the real life timeline of this era, the explanation could be hidden within a scenario that actually happened. One such explanation for this arrangement could be that Forkbeard and Canute ruled together as father and son, and there is precedent for