Sweyn II Estridsen (King of Denmark 1047-1074)
Sweyn II Estridsen also known as Sweyn the Younger, had originally claimed the Danish Throne after Harthacanute’s death but lost to Magnus the Kind. To keep peace with Sweyn, Magnus made him an earl. Sweyn however wasn’t content with anything less than the Danish throne and rebelled against Magnus numerous times. But Sweyn had no luck in his attempt to claim the throne and he ended up fleeing to Sweden, where he lived in exile. The feud between Magnus and Sweyn ended in 1045, when they made peace and Sweyn returned to Denmark. Before Magnus the Kind died in 1047, he had announced that Sweyn Estridsen was to follow him as king of Denmark.
Sweyn set his mark in Danish history with his arrangement of the Danish bishops. Under his rule Denmark was divided into eight regions, giving each bishop an area to control. The reason for the division of the country was to give the Danish church more power and free it from the rule of the German archbishop Adalbert, who condoned the marriage between Sweyn and Queen Gunhild, because the two were too closely related as Sweyn was Gunhild half-uncle.
Harold Hardrada, an uncle of Magnus the Kind had returned to Norway in 1045 to claim the throne and it was decided, that the two should co-rule the country of Norway. When Magnus died in 1047 Hardrada was crowned King of Norway. But since Magnus had also been king of Denmark, Hardrada thought it obvious, that the Danish throne belonged to him. This started a long feud between Sweyn Estridsen and Hardrada, which ended in 1064 when Hardrada decided to switch his focus from Denmark to England, where he also thought the throne was rightfully his.
Sweyn Estridsen was after his death to be called The Father of Kings, as five of his sons became kings. Sweyn fathered most of his many children out of wedlock even though he was married three times.
Harald Hen (King of Denmark 1074-1080)
After Sweyn’s death it was to be decided which of his 14 sons was most suited for the Danish throne. The choice fell between Harald and Canute. Harald was considered the calmer and more reasonable of the two and at the time more suitable to rule Denmark. He was crowned King of Denmark in 1074.
The word “hen” which became the name Harald was known by refers to the kind of rock used to sharpen knives on. The meaning of “hen” in referral to Harald has been interpreted to mean “soft” as this specific kind of rock is particularly soft. The name was given to Harald due to the fact that he didn’t cause of drama during his time as king. He didn’t lead his country to war, neither did he make a big mark in history as he simple continued the work of his father.
Harald Hen died in 1080 and his brother Canute the Holy followed him as king.
You might also like to read: The Danish Monarchy - The Beginning and The Danish Monarchy 1080-1095, The Kings Canute the Holy and Oluf Hunger
Sources:
www.kongehuset.dk
www.kongernesjelling.dk
www.heimskringla.no
