Origins & Early Life

Swein Forkbeard (died 3 February 1014) was King of Denmark from c. 986 and briefly King of England from December 1013. He was also overlord of Norway c. 986 – c.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

994 and from c. 1000. He married the sister of Boleslaus, ruler of Poland, and had three known children by her: King Harald II of Denmark, King Cnut of England, and Estrid, the mother of the Danish king Sweyn Estridsson. Swein also had a daughter, Gytha, by an earlier liaison. Around 986 Swein rebelled against his father, King Harald Bluetooth, and seized the throne of Denmark.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Harald was driven into exile and died shortly afterwards. Harald had converted to Christianity, and Swein carried on his father's pro-Christian policies, although historians disagree whether his support was motivated by religious devotion or political calculation. In 992 or 993 he defeated an invasion by Erik, the king of the Svear (a people in eastern Sweden). Swein probably became overlord of the Svear and Erik died in the war or soon afterwards. In 994 Swein raided England together with the Norwegian warlord Olaf Tryggvason, until they were paid off by a tribute of 16,000 pounds. Swein had inherited the overlordship of Norway from his father, but...

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