Talk:Harald I of Denmark

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is within the scope of the following WikiProjects:

"Gyrid Olafsson" seems a most unlikely name for a woman at the time - it means "Olaf's son". Is there contemporary evidence for the name?
S.

According to some sources, Harold Blatand had a chronic dental condition which caused the discoloration of his tooth (teeth ?). Can anyone confirm this information?

It is possible, but I think it is folklore. Another possibility I've heard, is that his name is actually misspelled (I have this from a Danish book, of somewhat questionable character): "Tand" is actually supposed to be spelled "than", which is a title, equivalent of a duke. "Blå" was supposed to have been blod (the Danish word for blood), or blot, and so his name should have been Harald Blottan - a "blodhertug" (Blood Duke) or "offerhertug" (Duke of Sacrifice), because he sacrificed the old nordic gods, and made Christianity the national religion of Denmark. --Niffux 12:53, 26 Jun 2004 (UTC)

"Blå Tand" means Blue (Blå) Tooth (Tand)

Contents

[edit] Gyrithe Olafsson

I believe that it should read Gyrithe Olafsdatter (or Olafsdotter) since she is female. Although I'm not an expert in this, in my family tree I have her listed as the daughter of Olof Bjornsson.

[edit] Factual Accuracy - Bluetooth wireless specification

"The Bluetooth logo consists of the Nordic runes for his initials, H and B." Image:Bluetooth-logo.svg (click the link to see the image. It may not be displayed on talk pages due to Wikipedia's copyright policy)

This symbol is not the combination of hagall (H) and bjarkan (B). It is the combination of gipt (G) and bjarkan (B).

kiawin: It is stated clearly of the logo runic description in Bluetooth SIG website.

Danish Futhork runes
Danish Futhork runes
If it helps, the page Runic alphabet shows several variant Runic alphabets, with many different forms of the H-rune (or many different runes labelled as corresponding to H, depending on your perspective). About half-way down is this image which seems to support the claim in the article. Maybe the article needs wording in a more circumspect fashion. (Disclaimer: not a rune expert, just trying to help.) Andrew Kepert 08:00, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

Why was he called "Bluetooth"? Heard some legend about his habit of munching on berries that stained his teeth blue.

Unlikely. The popular interpretation says that he had a dead tooth. A second opinion is listed further up this page.
The page quoted clearly states that the runes used are H and B.[1]. It is the younger futhark alphabet, and the logo is composed of half an H and a complete B. The younger futhark alphabet is the most known rune alphabet in Denmark, since the Jelling stones - often referred to in Denmark as Denmark's birth certificate - use this alphabet.Valentinian T / C 08:52, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Spelling of Harald

Why in this article is his name spelt 'Harold'? In fact the page is inconsistent, it is spelt both 'Harald' and 'Harold'. The article is linked to in most places as 'Harald', so I think this should be used. That and the fact that it is the correct spelling.

You are right. The title of this article should be Harald I of Denmark, and Harold I of Denmark should be redirected there. If there are no protests until next time I read this article, I will take this as a yes, and venture to change it so.DanielDemaret 11:32, 27 April 2006 (UTC)
Do it. --194.47.143.5 23:22, 6 May 2006 (UTC)
This one really annoyed me. Page moved. Valentinian (talk) 23:52, 6 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Death of Harald

I seem to remember reading in a book written by Robert Hardy, entitled "Longbow" about Harald Bluetooth's death. From what I remember he died by being shot with an arrow up the backside by warming himself over a fire.

I do not have a copy of this book but if it can be confirmed then it would be a "nice!" addition

--Peter

It is mostly down to anglo-saxons at the time feeling sour from their losses.... it does not hurt ones pride too much if you can succesfully ridicule your "nemesis"..... Infact he is more likely, in my oppinion, to have died in the civil war that was initiated by his own son (Svein/Sven Forkbeard/Tveskæg)....

--Lasse

Actually the story is that Harald had gone to the bushes to relieve himself. When he bends down he is shot by an arrow directly in his behind. It derives from Saxo, but is nothing but a "good story".

SaxoX 23:53, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

Actually it's from the Jomsvíkinga saga - but it is still a good story... ;o) --dllu 19:47, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Errors and conflicting views

Thyra a supposed daughter of Harald Klak: Harald Klak died around 850, so Thyra should be at least 80, when she gave birth to Harald?!

Although Harald's predecessors had adopted Christianity at the instigation of the Frankish Carolingian kings in 826: Yes, Harald Klak did, but he had no reign in Denmark at that time and was babtized in hope of making himself an ally in the battle for the throne of Denmark. A battle he never won.

His mother may have implanted in the boy the first seeds of Christianity which his father, a devout servant of the Norse god Odin: This is clear speculation.

It was not until 935 that Christian missionaries had a major breakthrough in the Christianization of Denmark. At this time the Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen, Unni received Harald’s permission to begin preaching across Denmark, even though Harald was not yet the king: Probably not the same Harald; certainly not if he was born around 935 as stated earlier. There is much dispute about this source. See below* The major breakthrough seems to be the convertion of Harald around 965.

As early as 948 sees were established with German missionary bishops in Denmark at Hedeby, Ribe and Aarhus: But these bishops probably never attented Denmark and never had a church in these cities. Their appointment was most likely a part of church politics for the Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen.

Christian houses of worship were also built in many other places during Harald's reign; in these German and Danish priests preached the gospel of the crucified and risen Saviour.: What are the sources? I have studied the Christianization of Denmark a lot and this "fact" is new to me.

Although baptized, Svend joined forces with Palnatoke, the most powerful chieftain on Funen, who lead the heathen party. The fortunes of war varied for a time, but finally Harald was slain on 1 November, 985 or 986: Whether or not there was a heathen uprising has been much disputed. There is no certaincy in this.

His father's invasion of Friesland in 934 involved him in war with the German Holy Roman Emperor, Henry I. Having been vanquished, he was forced to restore the churches which he had demolished as well as to grant toleration to his Christian subjects, and he died one year later, bequeathing his throne to Harald.: *The source is Adam of Bremen. He mentions a king named Chnuba. This king often mistaken for Gorm, the father of Harald. Gorm's grave in Jelling is dated to 958.

He died 1 November, 985 or 986. His remains were buried in the cathedral at Roskilde, where his bones are still preserved, walled up in one of the pillars of the choir 1) The Cathedral in Roskilde was build around 1175. 2) As shown by Niels Lund in "Harald Blåtands død" (The Death of Harald Bluetooth) Harald probably did not die before 987, he died in Jumne in modern day Poland and was presumably buried there. He was married to the daughter of Mistovoi, the king of the Obodrites.

In generel this article consists of two conflicting views. The blind trust in the writing of Adam of Bremen, who claims that Harald was king in 50 years, and the modern historical view, that hardly believe in Adam as a source for the reign of Harald, and states that Harald became king around 958. This view is build on Widukind and the archaeological sources. Much of this article should be rewritten!

SaxoX 23:12, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

Including this paragraph:
His father's invasion of Friesland in 934 involved him in war with the German Holy Roman Emperor, Henry I. Having been vanquished, he was forced to restore the churches which he had demolished as well as to grant toleration to his Christian subjects, and he died one year later, bequeathing his throne to Harald. Bishop Unni of Bremen, accompanied by Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Corvey, preached the gospel in Jylland (Jutland) and the Danish isles, and soon won the confidence of the young ruler, although he did not succeed in persuading him to receive baptism. Harald sought to shut the Germans out of his kingdom by strengthening the "Danawirk"–a series of ramparts and fortifications that existed until the latter half of the nineteenth century.
- which I removed because it is completely unfounded. --dllu 19:49, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Gormson?

Are there any historical sources that uses the surname Gormson of Harald I? Mossig (talk) 17:37, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

I think there is several sources naming him Gormson, but I can not point them out at this moment. But naturally he would have been giving the name of his father as surname, as it was tradition in those days and still is in some countries; Iceland etc. SaxoX. —Preceding unsigned comment added by SaxoX (talk • contribs) 12:51, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

Was it really at that time? I now that there is at least one rune inscription where he is named "Gorms son", as in two separate words. I was under the impression that the use of surnames as in "Gormson" is of a later date. Mossig (talk) 21:21, 14 February 2008 (UTC)