Sweyn Forkbeard, King of Denmark c.988-1014; King of England 1013-1014

d. 3 Feb 1014

Sweyn was the son of Harold "Gormsson", king of the Danes and the man who "made the Danes Christian". Such was the opposition to King Harold and the imposition of the new religion, that Sweyn led a revolt against him, becoming king of Denmark in his place in about 988.

Sweyn raided England in 994, but he was not secure enough in Denmark to attempt a full scale conquest. Gradually the raids became bigger and more threatening and Sweyn was able to extract larger tribute from the English king, Aethelred. The tribute money, which became known as Danegeld, was paid in 994, 1002, 1005 and 1012 and paid for Sweyn's fleet. From 1009 onwards Sweyn's aim was not just raiding but conquest, and a succession of campaigns ended with Sweyn being recognized as king of England in 1013.

His reign was brief however, for he died on 3 February 1014. His son, with whom he campaigned, was Cnut, king of England from 1016 to 1035.

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