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 December 25, 1156) was a king of Sweden c. 1130–1156.

[edit] Biography

Sverker was a mighty landowner from Östergötland. According to the Westrogothic law (1240), his father's name was Cornube, but according to 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, the newly founded Republic of Novgorod had its first confrontation with Sweden during Sverker's reign in 1142, thus breaking a century-long peace that had been guaranteed by marriages between the earlier ruling families.

Sverker 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.

Skáldatal reports 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:

1. Johan (Jon jarl), slain by enraged peasants during a meting of the Thing in the early 1150s, possibly father of Cecilia
2. Charles Sverkerson, Sverker's successor as head of dynasty and ruler of parts of Gothenland
3. Ingegerd (died in 1204), prioress of Vreta convent
4. Helena of Sweden, 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:

1. 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.

[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).