The Danish Monarchy - The Beginning

History of one of the Oldest Monarchies in The World

Jul 23, 2008

It all began with proud Viking Kings, who favored violent raids and conquering surrounding countries one by one.

Most of what is known about the old Danish Viking Kings are passed on by legends from generation to generation. The only real sources are the runic signs carved into stones erected by the kings. And even these have had many different interpretations.

Gorm the Old

The Danish Monarchy can be traced back to Gorm the Old. Gorm was actually only the ruler of a Jutland, a large Danish peninsula north of Germany, but was nonetheless considered King of Denmark. Some sources claim that there were Danish Kings before Gorm, but the Danish Monarchy of today states Gorm as the first king of Denmark.

Back then the king was chosen by election although the oldest son of the former king was usually the only candidate.

After Gorms the Old’s death in 958-959 his son Harald Bluetooth, who came to unite Denmark, was elected King of Denmark.

Harald Bluetooth

Harald Bluetooth is credited with converting the heathen Danes to Christianity. For hundreds of years the Christian church sent pilgrims to convince the Danish kings to choose Christianity, but legend has it that it wasn’t until the year 968 when a stranger convinced Bluetooth of the power of the Christian faith, by carrying burning hot iron, without scolding his hands.

Bluetooth’s reign ended in 985 or 986 when he was killed in a rebellion believed to be lead by Bluetooth’s own son Swein Forkbeard.

Swein Forkbeard

Swein was known for his many raids, killing and robbing his way across the English countryside before reaching London. Here sat King of England, Aelthelred the Unready, unable to keep the Danes at bay anymore. He had successfully defeated Swein once but Swein had taken a different approach this time by conquering the countryside first before focusing on London. Aelthelred fled England, surrendered his throne and Swein was declared King of England in 1013.

For a Viking King of Swein’s magnitude one would expect an honorable death in battle. Legend however, has it that Swein died, shortly after being crowned King of England, when he fell from his horse on his way to a meeting in Gainsborough in 1014.

King Harald II

The relatively unknown King Harald II, oldest son of Swein Forkbeard was crowned King of Denmark in 1014, while his younger brother Canute was proclaimed King of England.

Canute the Great

Canute was a great Viking King, who ruled over the North Sea emporium, which consisted of Denmark, England, Norway and part of Sweden.

Canute was said to be “so great, he could demand the tides of the sea to stay back.” Canute was a clever man so he had his throne set on the sea shore at the edge of the tidal waves and here he would proof his the legend true. The tidal waves indeed did not progress any further than he wanted them to.

Canute took Emma of Normandy, the widow of former English ruler, Aelthelred the Unready, as his wife in order to maintain a friendly relationship with the English and to connect the lines of the two families.

Canute didn’t live to be an old man and when he passed at age 40, his only son with Emma of Normandy, became his successor. But his son Harthacanute wasn't quite up for the job. The emporium, Canute the Great fought hard to maintain, slowly started falling apart.

The copyright of the article The Danish Monarchy - The Beginning in Scandinavian History is owned by Julie Refnov Mortensen. Permission to republish The Danish Monarchy - The Beginning in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.