He became a very zealous Christian, evincing the ardor of his piety, whether real or pretended, by all the forms and indications common in those days.
Finally, to crown all, he went on a pilgrimage to Rome.

He set out on this journey with great pomp and parade, and attended by a large retinue, and yet still strictly like a pilgrim.

He walked, and carried a wallet on his back, and a long pilgrim's staff in his hand.

This pilgrimage, at the time when it occurred, filled the world with its fame.
At length King Canute died, and then, unfortunately, it proved that all his seemingly wise precautions against the recurrence of civil wars were taken in vain.

It happened that Hardicanute, whom he had intended should succeed him, was in Denmark at the time of his father's death.