Sverker I of Sweden
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Sverker I Kolson (Old Icelandic: Sörkvir Kolsson, Old Swedish: Swærkir konongær gambli) or Sverker the Elder (murdered Dec.25 1156) was a king of Sweden c.1130 – 1156.
Sverker was a mighty landowner from Östergötland. According to the Westrogothic law (1240), his father's name was Cornube, but according to Snorri Sturlusson's Skáldatal, his father's name was Kol. He was acknowledged as king at the beginning of 1130s, and conquered Västergötland from its ruler Magnus the Strong. Sverker ruled for about 26 years, but in spite of the long reign not much is known about him. The convents and monasteries of Alvastra, Nydala and Varnhem were founded. According to a Russian chronicle, a failed crusade in the east was made during his reign in 1142.
He was murdered by his own coach at the Alebäck bridge near Alvastra priory, going to the early service on Christmas day, in 1156. This was considered a shocking crime, even by medieval standards. The pretender Magnus Henriksson was suspected of the crime.
Snorri Sturlusson reports in his Skáldatal the names of two of Sverker's skalds: Einarr Skúlason and Halldórr skvaldri.
[edit] Family
Married to
- 1) Queen Ulvhild Håkansdotter, widow of Inge the Younger, who escaped from her second husband, Danish king Niels (died 1134). Children:
- Johan (Jon jarl), slain by enraged peasants during a meting of the Thing in the early 1150s, possibly father of Cecilia
- Charles Sverkerson, Sverker's successor as head of dynasty and ruler of parts of Gothenland
- Ingegerd (died in 1204), prioress of Vreta convent
- daughter, married to Canute V of Denmark, son of Magnus Nilsson ("Magnus I of Sweden")
- 2) Rycheza of Poland (after Ulfield's death), previously married to Magnus Nilsson and Volodar of Minsk.Attested son of this marriage was:
- Burislev Sverkersson, rival king of Sweden between 1167 and 1173
Sverker's alleged son, Sune Sik Sverkersson, either by Rycheza of Poland or Ulvhilde of Thjotta, is construed to have been born c.1154, but his existence has no support in contemporary documents.
| Preceded by Ragnvald Knaphövde and Magnus I of Gothenland |
King of Sweden | Succeeded by Eric the Saint |
[edit] References
- Lagerqvist Lars O., Åberg Nils. Kings and Rulers of Sweden. Vincent Publications, 2002 (ISBN 91-87064-35-9).
- Liljegren, Bengt. Rulers of Sweden. Historiska Media, 2004 (ISBN 91-85057-63-0).
