King Cnut's wives

How was it possible that as a Christian king (1016-1035), King Cnut of
England was able to have two wives? He had taken his first wife,

Gerard M Foley...

Aelfgifu of Northampton, sometime during the conquest of England. The
second wife, Emma of Normandy, his LEGAL wife was taken in 1017.
However, he never really gave Aelfgifu up. He acknowledged her
children (even gave them dynastic names--Swein and Harold) and set her
up as regent in Norway. How did this not destroy his credibility with
the church and why didn't they stop him?

Steve Hayes...

At that time Christianity had only recently begun spreading in Scandinavia. I
imagine the situation was similar to 19th-century Africa, where there are
numerous incidences of polygamous rulers (or their wives) becoming Christians,
and the church (or churches) making exceptions in marriage discipline. There
were lots of debates about this, some urgin strict discipline, and others
urging "economia".

jan.bohme...

Pleas remember that Canute was first and primarily King of Denmark. He
was King of England by the conqueror's right.

Sid...

Yes, and so a conqueror usually gives the orders; he doesn't follow
them.

And in early 11th century Scandinavia, with a population that was still
largely heathen in many places, the power of the church was 1) very
limited, and 2) what little power there was, was entirely dependent on
the good will of the King.

Not the best circumstances for making a fuss, if you ask me.

per...

Well, Knud the Great's nephew and heir in Denmark, Svend II Estridsen
{king 1047-76 and ancestor to all succeeding Danish monarchs} /was/
forced divorce his wife - she was namely his cousin too. I think the
Pope would argue that their illegal marriage had been annulled.

Instead, the King remained a bachelor for the rest of his life. But with
lots of paramours who gave him at least six sons of whom five became
elected kings of Denmark and one is said to have taken part in the First
Crusade {Prince Svend of Denmark}.

Sid...

You hit the nail on the head. If the churchmen was annoyed by the fact
that their king and patron was a bigamist, they were hardly in a
position to say so. They had to grin and bear it.

Moira de Swardt...

Bigamy or polygamy?

The present king of Swaziland has the church in a similar position
except he now has about 12 or 13 wives (I can't keep count).

Jan Böhme

Katipo...

So was Cnut really a christian or was he a pagan?

Katipo I

Gerard M Foley...

the Pope have?"