Sveinn Haraldsson – the Captured King of Denmark

Abstract

There is rather no doubt that Sveinn Haraldsson, known also as tjúguskegg (Forkbeard), the king of Denmark (ca. 986–1014) belongs to the most significant figures of the Viking Age Scandinavia. His military and political achievements, with taking over the English throne in 1013 as their peak, fully justify scholarly interest in his life and reign. This interest is determined by a variety of accessible sources that cast light on particular aspects of the king and his time.1 One can say that his reign is relatively well recognized and described. It seems to be true only to a certain extent. The successive stages of Sveinn’s domination in Scandinavia and his activity in England create quite a vivid picture. There also seems to remain less and less controversy concerning his attitude towards Christianity and the development of the Church in Denmark (...)