Erikr Hákonarson sparing the lives after the Battle of Hjorungavágr
illustration by Halfdan Egedius (1877-1899)
wikipedia commons
Erik Håkonson
Jarl "Earl" of Norway and
England
b. 957 perhaps born in Oppland to local woman
d. 1024 Rigforstander, Norway
buried: England
| Child with Gyde |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Haakon
Eriksson |
b. 997/98 | d. bef 29 Jul 1030 drown Pentland Firth,
near Orkney, Scotland |
m. Gunhild of the
Wends, dau of Burislaw, Prince of the Wends
and Tyre Haraldsdater of Denmark. 1029 her 2m. Harald Thorkilsen Jarl 1031 |
The family developed
is largely based on the the genealogy of the Foundation for Medieval
Genealogy. The Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
compares all sources to come up with a documented life.
957 - It is said in
the Heimskringla, that Erik was born by a woman in
Oppland whom his father had bedded while staying there. He
was left to be raised there by a local family and friend until
he was about eleven or twelve when he was brought back to his
father in Trondheim.
in 986 Erik made amends with his father Håkon Sigurdsson. Håkon was a strong believer in the old Norse gods but Harald "Bluetooth" was trying to convert Denmark and Scandinavia to Christianity. Because of this Håkon broke his alliance with Denmark and Harald "Bluetooth" sent a naval force to Norway which erupted into the battle of Hjorungavágr. Here Eric, commanded 60 ships victoriously.
Erikr Hákonarson sparing the lives after the Battle of
Hjorungavágr
illustration by Halfdan Egedius (1877-1899)
wikipedia commons
In 995, the King of
Norway became Olafr Tryggvason. Eric was self-exiled to Sweden
where he found allies with King Olof of Sweden and King Sven I
of Denmark. Here he meets and marries Gyda, daughter of
Sven I "Forked Beard".
After this battle Erik
takes the largest and grandest of Olaf's vessels. The Long
Serpent ship of Olaf as his reward. The Danish king Svein,
The Swedish king Olaf and the Earl Erik divided up the kingdom
of Olaf Tyrygvason. Erik got four districts in the
Trondheim country (Halogaland, Naumudal, Fiord districts, Sogn,
Hordaland, Rogaland, and North Agder, all the way to Naze.
"The Danish king Svein retained Viken as he had held it before,
but he gave Raumarike and Hedemark to Earl Eirik. Svein
Hakonson go the title of earl from Olaf the Swedish king.
Svein was one of the handsomest men ever seen. The earls
Eirik and Svein both allowed themselves to be baptized, and took
up the true faith; but as land as they ruled in Norway they
allowed every one to do as he pleased in holding by his
Christianity. But , on the other hand, they held fast by
the old laws, and all the old rights and customs of the land,
and were excellent men and good rulers. Earl Eirik had most to
say of the two brother in all matters of government. " [Snorre.
Heimskringla 249-250
In 1014 or 1015 Eric
joined Canute the Great,
his Danish brother-in-law, for his campaign in England.
Canute was young and inexperienced , "however Eric was "An
experienced warrior of tested intelligence and fortune"
according the Fagrskinna saga. This would have
made him an important adviser and leader among the joint
forces.
1016 He is
appointed Earl of Northumbria, England by King Svend.
See more photos here of
Roskilde.
Source:
Møller Index || Elroy's Family Index || Ancestor Chart #23
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