Swein Haraldsson (Swein Forkbeard) was the son of Harald Gormsson (Harald Bluetooth), king of Denmark. In 986 or 987, he rebelled against his father, who fled into exile and died soon after.
The kingdom Swein acquired, and his overlordship of Norway, was so secure that he was able to leave it to lead raids overseas, especially in England. His position at home was consolidated after the battle of Maldon, in 991, when the English started paying tribute.
In 992 or 993, Swein defeated Erik, king of the Svear, who lived in what is now eastern Sweden, and Boreslav, ruler of the Poles. After Erik’s death, Swein married his widow, who was also Boreslav’s sister. Erik’s son Olof recognised Swein as the overlord of the Svear.
After a raid up the Thames estuary in 994, Æthelred persuaded Olaf Tryggvason to return to Norway and challenge Swein’s overlordship there. This kept Swein occupied in Norway until 999 when Olaf was defeated and killed. With the Norwegian threat neutralised, Swein returned to leading raids in England between 1003 and 1005, before being forced to return home by a great famine.
Raids continued after 1006, although Swein may not have led them. But when Thorkell the Tall and his army agreed to serve Æthelred as mercenaries in 1012, Swein recognised the threat and decided to invade England.
The invasion force landed in the summer of 1013. From his base in Gainsborough, Swein managed to secure the north. Moving south, he received the submission of Oxford and Wallingford, but a large force in London resisted. After the south-west submitted to him at Bath all other resistance evaporated and the whole country recognised Swein as king. Æthelred was forced to flee to Normandy.
Swein’s reign as king of England was short. He died on 3 February 1014 at Gainsborough and was buried at York, although his remains were moved to Roskilde in Denmark soon afterwards. He was succeeded as king of Denmark by his eldest son Harald, but the English invited Æthelred back as their king.
Essential Facts
Swein was the son of Harald Gormsson (Harald Bluetooth).
Swein controlled Denmark, Norway and parts of modern Sweden before turning his attention to England.
Timeline
991 – The battle of Maldon.
1013 – Swein invaded England with his son, Cnut, and forced Æthelred II into exile.
3 February 1014 – Death of Swein.
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