Why King Canute Disappears & Goes To Denmark In Vikings Valhalla
King Canute (also known as Cnut) is one of the most exciting historical figures in Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla, making his abrupt disappearance at the series’ midpoint all the more confusing. The spinoff takes place roughly 100 years after the events of the popular History Channel series Vikings, blending the stories of new characters with the legacies of old. While there are many exciting Vikings of legend included in the series, the true story of Vikings: Valhalla's King Canute is arguably the most interesting among them, yet his story feels to be far from the focal point given his abrupt exit at the end of the sixth episode.
After the Vikings are purged from Saxon lands in the St. Brice’s Day Massacre, King Canute assembles an army of warriors from across Scandinavia to return to England and take vengeance for their fallen kin. With the help of Greenlander Leif Eriksson, Canute successfully topples London and overthrows the boy-king Edmund, electing to stay and rule as the King of England in an attempt to unify the kingdoms of the North. Shortly after his victory, Canute receives a late-night message calling him away, appointing his father Sweyn Forkbeard to rule in his absence as he returns to Denmark for the remainder of the season.
Related: Valhalla: Every Vikings Character Reference & Family Connection Explained
Although he will almost certainly remain an integral character in Vikings: Valhalla moving forward, Canute’s abrupt departure from his newly acquired kingdom was jarring for viewers and Vikings alike. Little explanation was given by Canute to either regarding the reason for his exit, and his strategic midnight marriage to Queen Emma of Normandy took place offscreen and away from the eyes of his subjects.
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