Knut Haakonsson's father served as steward of the Norwegian kingdom while his maternal grandfather reigned as King of Sweden in the 12th century.
His father had been leader of the Norwegian army and steward of the kingdom during the short reign of King Guttorm of Norway. His maternal grandfather was Eric the Saint who reigned as King Eric IX of Sweden. Eric IX, (Swedish: Erik Jedvardsson; Erik den helige; Sankt Erik; d. 18 May 1160), also called Eric the Holy, Saint Eric, and Eric the Lawgiver, was a Swedish king in the 12th century, c. 11561160. 
