Eric VI of Sweden
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Eric the Victorious (VI), Old Norse: Eiríkr inn sigrsæli, Modern Swedish: Erik Segersäll, (970?- 994 or 995), was king of the Swedes during the second half of the 10th century.
The extent of his kingdom is disputed. In addition to the Swedish heartland round lake Mälaren it may have extended down the Baltic Sea coast as far south as Blekinge.
The Norse sagas relate that he was the son of Björn Eriksson and that he ruled together with his brother Olof Björnsson. He married Sigrid the Haughty, the daughter of the legendary Viking Skagul Toste, but would later divorce her and give her Götaland as a fief. According to Eymund's saga he took a new queen, Auð, the daughter of Haakon Sigurdsson, the ruler of Norway.
Before this happened, his brother Olof died, and a new co-ruler had to be appointed, but the Swedes refused to accept his rowdy nephew Styrbjörn the Strong as his co-ruler. Styrbjörn was given 60 longships by Eric and sailed away to live as a Viking. Styrbjörn would become the ruler of Jomsborg and an ally and brother-in-law of the Danish king Harold Bluetooth. Styrbjörn returned to Sweden with a major Danish army, which Eric defeated in the Battle of the Fýrisvellir at Old Uppsala.
According to Adam of Bremen, Eric would conquer Denmark and chase away its king Sweyn Forkbeard and proclaimed himself the king of Sweden and Denmark which he ruled until his death which would have taken place in 994 or 995. He is said to have been baptised in Denmark, but later returned to the Norse gods.
In all probability he founded the town of Sigtuna, which still exists and where the first Swedish coins were stamped for his son and successor Olof Skötkonung.
However, Adam of Bremen only gives Emund Eriksson as predecessor to Eric the Victorious, but it is possible that Emund and Björn were co-rulers, like Erik and Olof and their semi-legendary ancestors Björn at Hauge and Anund Uppsale.
| House of Munsö | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Björn Eriksson(?) and/or Emund Eriksson |
King of Sweden with Olof Björnsson |
Succeeded by Olof of Sweden |
[edit] Sources
This article contains content from the Owl Edition of Nordisk familjebok, a Swedish encyclopedia published between 1904-1926 now in Public Domain.
