 Canute was a devout Christian and believed that a strong central church in Denmark would give him more power.He was instrumental in improving the nationwide system of bishops by using his own local officials ("fogeder") to collect tithes, a new tax, which were used to build the churches, hospitals and monasteries which were just beginning to be introduced into Denmark.Many people were Christian in name, but the old ways were only half-forgotten, and suspicions about foreigners ran high.