Chaos can only come of having two Kings. And thus one must die.— Canute
Canute's Way (クヌートのやり方 Kunūto no Yarikata?) is the 62nd chapter of the Vinland Saga series.
Overview[]
Canute calls Eadric's offering an insult, as he is the King. Eadric's son counters that their true king is Ethelred of Wessex. Canute points out that Eadric has already betrayed Ethelred by trying to withdraw from battle for the sake of territory. He tells Eadric he will grant Mercia peace if he agrees to assassinate Ethelred. Eadric refuses. Canute brings him outside and has a signal pyre lit, shortly answered by smoke in several spots in the distance. He tells Eadric it is to show him what will happen if he attempts to fight him — he could have all of Mercia burning within instants. A year later, in April of 1016, Ethelred the Second passes away due to "illness". His son Edmund takes over and wages war against Canute, before dying of an "illness" himself in November of 1016. Canute is officially crowned King of England in 1017. Eadric of Mercia betrays Canute shortly after, and is executed in December 1017.
Summary[]
Canute asks Eadric if he wishes for him to accept his offering and simply leave Mercia. Eadric replies that it is the case, and that the amount offered should be enough for a Danegeld. Canute says it is still not enough, and that if he thought about it, he would see that he is asking Canute, the Bretwalda of England, to leave his land and excuse his disrespecting the king for a meagre amount. Canute tells Eadric that he is the King, and has personally come to quell the rebellion. Eadric's son says their true king is Ethelred of Wessex, not Canute. Eadric tells him to be quiet and that it is no time for such talk. Canute says that there is indeed another who calls himself King, and asks if he was the one who allowed Eadric to make his offer. Eadric says he did not, but would understand his actions if he knew. Canute says he must be generous, to allow his retainers to withdraw from the battle for the sake of territory. Gunnar thinks to himself that Canute is rather malicious, while Floki chuckles.
Canute tells Eadric that Ethelred's head will be his price for peace in Mercia.
Canute tells Eadric that only chaos will come of having two kings, and that one must die. He states Ethelred is a coward who abandoned his people and throne during the last war, and asks Eadric if it would not be foolish to entrust England to that kind of man. Eadric asks if Canute is asking him to betray Ethelred. Canute replies that Eadric has already betrayed him, and that he simply wants to employ his services. He wants Eadric to assassinate the King, and guesses that he likely knows a good way to do so, as his loyal retainer of many years. Eadric is shocked he would be asked to give up his honour and loyalty, but Canute points out he will leave Mercia alone if Eadric brings him Ethelred's head. Eadric loudly refuses, and Canute remarks to Floki that the man has quite a backbone after all.
Canute shows Eadric he could have Mercia set aflame in an instant if he continues to refuse him.
Canute asks Eadric to follow him outside. bringing him to a large wooden pyre. It is set on fire as a signal fire, and smoke arises in response from several points in the distance. Eadric asks him what it's supposed to signal, and Canute tells him it's to show him what will happen if he attempts to fight him — Mercia would be set to flames in an instant. Eadric collapses to the ground. Canute remarks he could have set Mercia aflame already, and asks him if buying his peace for the price of Ethelred's head is not worth it. The year after, in April of 1016, Ethelred the Second passes away due to an "illness". He is succeeded by his son Edmund, who wages a war against Canute, but also dies of an "illness" in November 1016, just seven months after his father.
His enemies dead, Canute is crowned King of England in 1017.
Thorkell, leaning back at a table with Asgeir, mocks this transparent talk of "illness" and notes that the invasion of England, which took King Sweyn over 10 years, was settled in less than three after his passing. Asgeir comments that the council has recognized Canute as the official King of England, and that he will be crowned the next year. Thorkell tells him to stop talking about Canute. Canute is crowned King of England in 1017, after all his rivals died mysterious deaths. Eadric of Mercia incidentally betrays Canute shortly after, and is executed in December 1017.