Canute IV had quickly proved himself to be a highly ambitious king as well as a devout one.

He has enhanced the authority of the church, and demanded austere observation of church holidays.

He has given large gifts to the churches in Dalby, Odense, Roskilde, and Viborg, and especially to Lund.

Ever a champion of the Church, he seeks to enforce the collection of tithes.

His aggrandizement of the church serves to create a powerful ally, who in turn supports Canute's power position.

Canute writes a letter of donation in May 1085 to Lund Cathedral, which is under construction, granting it large tracts of lands in Scania, Zealand, and Amager.

He founds Lund Cathedral School at the same time.

Canute has gathered the land largely as pay for the pardon of outlawed subjects.

The clerics at Lund receive extended prerogatives of the land, being able to tax and fine the peasantry here.

However, Canute keeps his universal royal rights to pardon the outlaws, fine subjects who fail to answer his leding call to war, and demand transportation for his retinue.

His reign is marked by vigorous attempts to increase royal power in Denmark, by stifling the nobles and keeping them to the word of the law.

Canute issues edicts arrogating to himself the ownership of common land, the right to the goods from shipwrecks, and the right to inherit the possessions of foreigners and kinless folk.

He also issues laws to protect freed thralls as well as foreign clerics and merchants.

These policies lead to discontent among his subjects, who are unaccustomed to a king claiming such powers and interfering in their daily lives.