Exploring The Real-Life Inspiration behind Prince Canute in Vinland Saga

Vinland Saga has been a hit amongst anime fanatics, bringing the Viking era vividly back to life with a gut-wrenching tale.

It’s historically accurate to most extent, with its setting dating back to 1013 England during the Viking Era, with characters like Thorfinn, Askellad, etc being based on their real-life counterparts.

In this article, we will delve into the historical accuracy of Prince Canute and unveil the tale behind his real-life counterpart upon whom he is based.

Is Prince Canute based on a real-life person?

Prince Canute in Vinland saga is based on the real-life King Canute the Great of Denmark, who ruled over England, Denmark, and Norway which was collectively called the “North Sea Empire”.

This real-life Danish King was also known as King Cnut or Knut. He was one of the most successful kings in Anglo-Saxon history, as deemed by the Medieval historian Norman Cantor, as he maintained peace among nations.

Prince Canute from the anime looks quite as similar to the real King as described in the Knytlinga Saga:

Knut was exceptionally tall and strong, and the handsomest of men, all except for his nose, that was thin, high-set, and rather hooked.

He had a fair complexion and a fine, thick head of hair. His eyes were better than those of other men, being both more handsome and keener-sighted.

Knytlinga Saga

No wonder Makoto Yukimura portrayed Prince Canute as a timid and effeminate king at the beginning of the anime.

In addition, King Cnut was the son of Danish prince Sweyn Forkbeard and had an elder brother named Harald. Just as depicted in the anime.

Is Prince Canute Historically accurate?

Prince Canute is not historically accurate to most extent, as the real King Cnut didn’t poison his brother Harald for control over Denmark and England, unlike the anime.

In the anime, Prince Canute had to poison his brother to control Denmark and England, as his father neglected him as the second son. The bodyguard, Ragnar, was more of a father figure for Canute.

This incident never happened in real life. King Cnut didn’t share a close bond with his brother Harlad and neither was he raised by someone like Ragnar.

However, another aspect that is historically accurate is that the anime portrayed Prince Canute’s Christian fervor accurately as the real King Cnut was also a devout Christian.

It’s said that King Cnut may have used religion to mask the ulterior political motive to have reign over England and maintain peace and order, which he did.

He had repaired countless churches and monasteries which had been destroyed by the Viking raids earlier.

In the anime, Prince Canute also tries to form a peaceful landlike utopia before God’s return. This may have been inspired by the real King’s efforts as well.

About Vinland Saga

Vinland Saga is a Japanese historical manga series written and illustrated by Makoto Yukimura. The series is published under Kodansha in its monthly manga magazine – Monthly Afternoon – aimed at young adult men. It currently has 26 volumes in tankōbon format.

Vinland Saga is set in ancient Viking times, where a young Thorfinn’s life goes astray when his father Thors – a well-known retired warrior – is killed while on a journey.

Thorfinn then finds himself under the jurisdiction of his enemy – his father’s killer – and hopes to seek revenge on him when he grows stronger. The anime is loosely based on the expedition of Thorfinn Karlsefni in his search for Vinland.