Canute II (WorldBox)

Canute II
Northern Emperor
King of Skoljard
Reign	April 995 - June 1039
Coronation	January 996
Predecessor	Halfdan
Successor	Johan II
Born	Cnut av Haakon 949 Dunhavn Castle
Died	June 1039 Leborg Castle
Spouse	Princess Ingrid of Skoljard
Issue	Johan II Prince Erik
House	Haconian
Father	Canute I
Religion	Northern Aetherian

Canute II otherwise known as Canute the Great was the King of Skoljard from April 995 to June 1039. During his reign, he led a momentous war into High Imperial lands, beginning 1011, which he would not live to see the ending of. Little is known about his reign, other than he was able to ravage the High Empire, but documentation increasingly details his wartime journeys. Canute killed several High Imperial kings in battle, and he spearheaded a "feudalisation" of Skoljard through his various reforms.

After killing the Aetherian High Priest in Oakmont in May 1017, he would see the event as a divine mandate to conquer the entire Empire. Between June 1019 and May 1032 towards 1038, several battles would see Highrock fall into High Imperial hands again, and his powers at home would wane, and eventually Johan II, his son, who was born in 971, took full control of the Eastern occupied lands before Canute died in 1039.

In contemporary history, he is sympathised by many prolific writers in the 11th century, and therefore his legacy would be cemented. His funeral would be attended by William IV in January 1040, the same month as the ascension of his only son.

Early life

Canute II was born in 949 in Dunhavn Castle, son of Canute I who ruled from 986 to 993. At the age of thirteen, in 962, he was seen as the effective heir to his father after he showed his military prowess to the family. In 969, Canute married Princess Ingrid, who bore him a son, Johan in 971. Canute would see his uncle Halfdan succeed the throne in March 993 and die in 995.

Early reign

Canute became King of Skoljard in April 995 and was coronated January 996. He angered the astute and High Imperial allied gerontocracy as he did not choose to proceed with a ceremonial oath to the Imperial King who was Harold VIII at the time. In the year 1000, Canute saw the religious power of the High Priest at the time, and envied it. This caused the Northern Aetherians to schism from the Imperial sect, and create a patriarchate.

In 1005, after the death of Harold VIII, Canute did not attend his funeral, as he did not see a reason not to amplify his power back at home. He saw the ascension of George I in 1006 a final stage of preparation it would take to invade the Isle of Oakshire. In 1010, he assigned four ealdormans for each city in Skoljard, part of the feudalisation reforms that he would take up until his death.

Later reign

In April 1010, Canute managed to capture strategic cities in the East, mainly cities in the Isle of Oakshire, unbeknownst to George I. In January 1011, Skolish dignitaries sent a letter to George in Oakmont which outlined the treaties which would let him give up most of his lands. George I refused, and in February 1011, Canute I declared war. In a siege that lasted years, captured Honbury would struggle for Highrock until it was taken by Canute I in 1014. As George I died in February 1012, Richard IV would come to power. Since Canute was sympathetic to this new king, a stalemate began. Canute lamented his death by natural causes in 1016. High Priest of Oakmont Obiritus was killed in May 1017, and a two months later, the Imperial interregnum ended with the ascension of Charles VI.

Charles VI died in 1018, which laid the foundation for the ascension of 40 year old William IV. William would attack Highrock again in 1019, and the famed Baystone Army, aligned to the High Imperials, attacked Highrock in September 1019. After military presence in Highrock was destroyed for the most part by Skoljard, Southshield was captured. In May 1031, Highrock would be under pressure again as it fell a year later. Johan II took over duties after the fall of Highrock, and the ailing Canute died in June 1039.