Episode 20

"Crown" (王冠) is the twentieth episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
Prince Canute and his newly established vassals make it to Gainsborough. The prince, Askeladd, and Thorfinn meet with King Sweyn, who planned to kill his son but is dissuaded by Askeladd.

Summary
At Gainsborough, Floki receives a message that Canute is coming with Thorkell. He refuses to believe that Canute is still alive and believes that Thorkell is using it as an excuse to attack them. However as the army arrives, Floki is surprised to see Canute alive and Thorkell and Askeladd as his followers. Seeing that he prepared his troops for a fight, Canute asks him if that's how he greets royalty. Floki apologizes, stating that he heard an enemy is coming to attack them. Canute then tells him to notify the king that he will be at the king's hall this evening. After Canute leaves, Floki wonders what happened, since Canute feels like a completely different person.

When they enter Gainsborough, Canute tells his followers that they should not attack for now, since he still doesn't have many allies within this army. Canute tells Thorkell to spend some time with the leaders and make some connections. Thorkell wonders if this means he can drink as much as he wants and Canute is paying for it. Canute confirms, but as long as he invites the other leaders. Thorkell gets happy that he decided to follow him and takes Asgeir with him. Canute tells Askeladd that he would come with him to meet the king and tell him what he thinks of him. Canute also asks him on how they will achieve the future they want. Askeladd explains that the best options is an assassination in the short run. With Harald being far away right now, if Sweyn dies, the command of the army in England will be passed to Canute. However, they will need to hide the assassin. Canute tells Thorfinn that he will be giving him other tasks in the future, and he will not be just guarding him, but Thorfinn states that he never agreed to be his follower, so he can't order him. Askeladd apologizes and tells Canute that he will instruct Thorfinn properly. Canute then states that God is always watching them, even when they kill each other or kill children, and Canute will never forgive him. Canute intends to make a paradise down on earth for everyone, and even if he can't do it in his generation, he will still make the first steps to it. God will likely cherish him and summon him by his side, however, Canute intends to tell him that they no longer need heaven, nor its trials, any longer, and that their paradise is on earth.

Later, Canute, Askeladd and Thorfinn meet with King Sweyn, who welcomes Canute and is glad to see him. Canute thanks him for his kind words, but explains he lost the troops he entrusted to him. Sweyn then tells Canute to come closer, but Askeladd stops him and asks Thorfinn what he thinks. Thorfinn states are at least 20 men hidden everywhere, and that there are some archers above them too. Askeladd tells Canute that this is an ambush and Sweyn likely knows their intention. Canute tells them to not draw their swords, as whoever draws it first, will lose. The three of them then proceeds towards the king, who then stops them midway and tells them to kneel. Askeladd is finally able to see the kings face and sees that his eyes are tired. Sweyn asks where is Ragnar and Canute explains that he died in Marcia. Sweyn explains that normally they should be celebrating Canute's return, but he first wanted to talk with him informally. He tells him to get up and come ten steps forward. Sweyn is then able to see Canute more properly and realizes he has changed, noting that he feels like Sweyn when he was young. Sweyn didn't expect Canute to turn like him and explains that when he was young, he drove his father away from the country and seized the crown. He believed this was the correct thing to do for the kingdom. Sweyn believed he done something great, as his father was cruel and a coward. With the crown, he gains power and can do many things, however the crown has its own will and its the crown that uses the power, not the king. Canute wonders if the crown ordered him to kill his him. Sweyn states that the crown only orders the king two things: to use his power and to increase his power. Sweyn states that the crown doesn't want Canute and signals his men, who then come out and surround Canute.

Sweyn tells Canute that he will give him part of Cornwall and he can live his days in peace there, however if he refuses, he will die here. Canute wonders if the crown also told him to say this. In that moment, Askeladd speaks and request that he say something. After Sweyn allows him, Askeladd asks him to consider if his actions are in line with the will of the crown. Askeladd explains that Canute took Thorkell and his army away from London, and if Sweyn becomes the King of England, then London will have no choice but to surrender, and London's wealth will become Sweyn's. Since Canute achieve that, it will be unreasonable to punish him for his service, since this will deeply trouble the generals when the time comes to divide the new territory. Sweyn states that Askeladd is good with his words. He asks him what is the name his father gave him. Askeladd explains that his father didn't give him a name, which makes Sweyn guess that he must be a child of a mistress or more likely a child of a slave. Askeladd gets angry, barely hiding his anger. Thorfinn notices it, noting that he never had seen Askeladd this mad. Sweyn agrees with Askeladd and states that he indeed should reward Canute. Sweyn is heading to York tomorrow, and there he will throw a banquet and give Canute's reward there. After Sweyn leaves with his men, Canute states that Sweyn doesn't have enough justification to kill Canute right now and if they don't do anything reckless, they will be safe for now. As Sweyn is slave to the crown, Canute intends to show him on how to use it. Meanwhile, Sweyn notes that he must be wary of Askeladd.

Later, Canute joins Thorkell and the rest and they enjoy drinking. Thorkell sees a man who drank 57 drink and seems unaffected by the alcohol and wonders who is he, as he doesn't remember inviting him. The man then explains he is Willibald, but shaved his beard. Thorkell and his men are shocked, since without the beard, he looks quite young. Willibald states he is only 23, which shocks the men. Canute asks Askeladd if they will be able to kill Sweyn. Askeladd explains it won't be easy as Sweyn seems to be a smart man. When they didn't buckle under his threats, he changed the strategy, which means he is likely skilled at war. Gunnar then shows up and states that he is happy to see Canute alive. Canute introduces Gunnar to Askeladd, stating that he is Ragnar's brother. Gunnar approaches Canute and tells him that soon they may do what they talked about with Ragnar. Canute reveals that Ragnar is dead and apologizes for his troubles, but he won't be proceeding with the plan on him going into exile. Canute is picking a fight with Sweyn and asks Gunnar to help him with that instead, and tells him to keep an eye on Sweyn and report back to him. Gunnar is still can't believe the news about his brother and tells Canute that he has changed a lot.

Askeladd goes out to pee, noting to himself that Gunnar doesn't seem to be as loyal to Canute as he says. While peeing, Askeladd sees Thorfinn training. Moments later, Atli comes with Torgrim, and tells Askeladd that the two will be heading home. They betrayed Askeladd and Atli doesn't know how to face Askeladd, and also hopes that Bjorn's wounds heal soon. Askeladd laughs, stating that he didn't knew such a honest man was working for him. He then gets serious and tells Atli that Bjorn doesn't have much left to live, as the wound reached his intestines. Askeladd takes of his bracelet and wants to give it to Atli, telling him that he will need money. Atli tears up, but as he tries to take it, Askeladd keeps moving his hand, not allowing him to take it. Atli gets annoyed and Askeladd explains that there is a condition on which he will give it to him and that is that he never picks up a sword again. He should raise some sheep, have a wife and a kid, and die in his bed. He then gives him the brecelet. Atli agrees and leaves with Torgrim.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Floki
 * Asgeir
 * Thorfinn
 * Thorkell
 * Askeladd
 * Canute
 * Sweyn
 * Willibald
 * Gunnar
 * Atli
 * Torgrim
 * Leif Ericson

Trivia
Odcinek 20