SAINT FEAST DAY 10 JULY: ST CANUTE, KING AND MARTYR

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JULY

Saints celebrated on the 10th of July

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SAINT CANUTE, KING AND MARTYR

St Canutus (Canute, Knut), king of Denmark, was natural son of Swein III. Denmark had received the Christian faith long before; some say in 826. St Canutus began his reign by a successful war against the troublesome barbarous enemies of the state. Amidst the glory of his victories, he humbly prostrated himself at the foot of the crucifix, laying there his diadem, and offering himself and his kingdom to the King of kings. After having provided for its peace and safety, he married Eltha, or Alice, daughter of Robert, earl of Flanders, by whom he had a pious son, St Charles, surnamed the Good, afterwards also earl of Flanders. 

HE OFFERED HIMSELF AND HIS KINGDOM TO THE KING OF KINGS

When William the Conqueror had made himself master of England, Canutus sent forces to assist the vanquished; but these troops finding no one willing to join them, were easily defeated in the year 1069. Sometime after, being invited by the conquered English, he raised an army to invade this island, and expel the Normans: but through the treacherous practices of his brother Olas, or Olaus, was obliged to wait so long on the coast, that his troops deserted him. The king judged this a proper occasion to induce them to pay tax as punishment for their desertion. But they, being incensed at the severity of the collectors, rebelled. St Canutus retired for safety into the isle of Fionia, and was hindered from joining his loyal troops, by the treachery of one Blanco, an officer, who, to deceive him, assured his majesty, that the rebels were returned to their duty. The king went to the church of St Alban, the martyr, to perform his devotions, and return God thanks. 

HIS MARTYRDOM

This the rebels being informed of by Blanco, they surrounded the church with him at their head. In the meantime the holy king, perceiving the danger that threatened his life, confessed his sins at the foot of the altar, with great tranquillity and resignation, and received the holy communion. His guards defended the church doors, and Blanco was slain by them. The rebels threw in bricks and stones, through the windows. The saint, stretching out his arms before the altar, fervently recommended his soul into the hands of his Creator: in which posture he was wounded with a javelin, darted through the window, and fell a victim to Christ. His brother Benedict, and seventeen others, were slain with him, on July 10, 1086. 

From Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints