The Heimskringla on Svein Ulfson

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 23. Of Svein Ulfson.

• relationship: Svein Ulfson was the son of Earl Ulf and grandson of Thorgils Sprakaleg

  "There was a man, by name Svein, a son of Earl Ulf, and grandson of Thorgils Sprakaleg."

• relationship: Svein's mother Astrid was a daughter of King Svein Forkbeard, sister of Canute the Great by their father, and sister of Swedish King Olaf Eirikson by their mother Sigrid the Haughty

  "Svein's mother was Astrid, a daughter of King Svein Forkbeard. She was a sister of Canute the Great by the father's side, and of the Swedish King Olaf Eirikson by the mother's side; for her mother was Queen Sigrid the Haughty, a daughter of Skoglar Toste."

• attestation: Svein had lived with the Swedish king since Canute ordered his father Earl Ulf murdered in Roskilde

  "Svein Ulfson had been a long time living with his relation the Swedish king, ever since King Canute had ordered his father Ulf to be killed, as is related in the saga of old King Canute, that he had his brother-in-law, Earl Ulf, murdered in Roskilde"

• attestation: Svein was described as outstandingly handsome, strong, expert in all exercises, and well-spoken, possessing every quality of a good chief

  "Svein Ulfson was one of the handsomest men that could be seen; he was very stout and strong, and very expert in all exercises, and a well-spoken man withal. Every one who knew him said he had every quality which became a good chief."

• attestation: Svein entered King Magnus's service at the Gaut river and the two often spoke privately together

  "Svein Ulfson waited upon King Magnus while he lay in the Gaut river, as before mentioned, and the king received him kindly"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 24. Svein Ulfson Created An Earl.

• attestation: Svein swore an oath of fidelity to King Magnus on a shrine containing holy relics, and was led to the high-seat beside the king

  "Afterwards a shrine was brought forth containing holy relics, and Svein laid his hand hereon, and swore the oath of fidelity to King Magnus; upon which the king led the earl to the highseat by his side."

• attestation: Earl Svein went to Denmark, established a court, and became beloved by all the people of the land during winter 1043

  "Earl Svein went thereafter to Denmark, and the whole nation received him well. He established a court about him, and soon became a great man. In winter (A.D. 1043), he went much about the country, and made friends among the powerful chiefs"

• attestation: Svein sat on a footstool before Magnus's high-seat when the appointment was announced, indicating his subordinate status

  "One day, as King Magnus sat in his high-seat and many people were around him, Svein Ulfson sat upon a footstool before the king."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 26. Svein Receives The Title Of King.

• attestation: During winter 1043, Svein Ulfson assumed the title of king on the advice of Danish chiefs after winning their friendship and the people's affection

  "The same winter (A.D. 1043), in which Svein Ulfson was raised to the government of the whole Danish dominions, and had made friends of a great number of the principal chiefs in Denmark, and obtained the affections of the people, he assumed by the advice of many of the chiefs the title of king."

• attestation: When Magnus came from the north with a great army, Svein fled to Scania, then Gautland, then to his kinsman King Emund of Sweden for the summer

  "when in the spring thereafter he heard that King Magnus had come from the north with a great army, Svein went over to Scania, from thence up to Gautland, and so on to Svithjod to his relation, King Emund, where he remained all summer"

• attestation: When Svein learned Magnus had released most of his army and was in Jutland, he rode from Sweden with forces the Swedish king had given him, collecting support across Scania, Seeland, Fyen, and the islands

  "when Svein heard that King Magnus had let a great part of his army go away, and also that he was south in Jutland, he rode from Svithjod with a great body of peopie which the Swedish king had given him. When Svein came to Scania the people of that country received him well, treated him as their king"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 30. Battle At Re.

• attestation: Svein's army drew men from Scania, Halland, Seeland, and Fyen while Magnus had mostly Norway and Jutland men

  "In Svein's army were many chiefs from Scania, Halland, Seeland, and Fyen; while King Magnus, on the other hand, had mostly Norway and Jutland men"

• attestation: After the battle of Re, Svein fled to Scania and then to Gautland

  "Svein fled back to Scania, and from thence to Gautland"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 31. Battle At Aros.

• attestation: Svein Ulfson sailed to Jutland towards Yule and went into Limfjord where many people submitted to him

  "Towards Yule he sailed to Jutland, and went into Limfjord, where many people submitted to him."

• attestation: Svein was in Aros with a great force when Magnus came south with the Northmen and part of the Danish troops

  "Svein was then in Aros with a great force; and when he heard of King Magnus he laid his vessels without the town, and prepared for battle."

• attestation: Svein's men had bound their ships together in preparation for the sea battle at Aros

  "When Svein's men saw the forces they armed themselves, bound their ships together, and then began one of the sharpest of battles."

• attestation: Svein fled from the battle at Aros with a great part of his people while many fell

  "Svein fled, with a great part of his people; but many fell, and many got life and peace."

• attestation: Svein fled immediately by night to Seeland after the battle at Aros

  "Svein fled immediately by night to Seeland, with the men who had escaped and were inclined to follow him"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 32. Svein'S Flight.

• attestation: Svein fled from Seeland to Fyen while Magnus carried fire and sword through Seeland because the people had joined Svein in harvest

  "Then Svein fled over to Fyen Island, and King Magnus carried fire and sword through Seeland, and burnt all round, because their men had joined Svein's troop in harvest."

• attestation: Svein was identified as Canute's nephew in the skaldic verse about the pursuit

  "That Canute's nephew quickly fled, Or he would have been captive led."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 33. Burning In Fyen.

• attestation: When Svein fled from Fyen he sailed to Scania, then to Gautland, and finally to the Swedish King

  "when Svein heard this news he went on board ship and sailed to Scania, and from thence to Gautland, and at last to the Swedish King."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 34. Battle At Helganes

• attestation: Svein returned to Scania with support from Sweden and collected an army, seizing Seeland, Fyen, and all the other isles

  "The people of Scania received him well, and he again collected an army, with which he first crossed over into Seeland and seized upon it and Fyen, and all the other isles."

• attestation: Svein fled to Scania after the battle of Helganes with all the men who escaped

  "Svein fled up to Scania with all the men who escaped with him"

• attestation: Svein fled eastward along Scania while Magnus also sailed eastward along the coast in pursuit

  "Then Svein fled eastwards along Scania, and King Magnus returned to his ships, and steered eastwards also along the Scanian coast"

• attestation: Svein fled to Gautland and then took refuge with the Swedish king, remaining all winter of 1046 and treated with great respect

  "Svein fled to Gautland, and then sought refuge with the Swedish king, with whom he remained all winter (A.D. 1046), and was treated with great respect."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 20. King Magnus'S Levy.

• attestation: Magnus learned that Svein Ulfson and Harald had allied and gathered forces intending to conquer first Denmark and then Norway.

  "Svein Ulfson and Harald had entered into a friendly bond with each other and gathered together a great force, intending first to subdue Denmark and then Norway."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 22. Treaty Between Harald And Svein Broken.

• attestation: Svein challenged Harald to prove the banner's power by winning three battles against Magnus.

  "Svein replies, "I will begin to believe there is such virtue in the banner when thou hast held three battles with thy relation Magnus, and hast gained them all.""

• attestation: The exchange between Harald and Svein grew heated, with Svein accusing Harald of keeping only the parts of agreements that benefited him.

  "Svein changed colour, and said, "There are people, Harald, who say that thou hast done as much before as only to hold that part of an agreement which appears to suit thy own interest best.""

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 26. Of Svein Ulfson.

• attestation: Svein Ulfson remained in harbor after Harald departed and monitored Harald's movements.

  "Svein Ulfson remained behind in the harbour after Harald had gone away, and inquired about his proceedings."

• attestation: Upon learning that Magnus and Harald had allied and gone north to Norway, Svein moved south to Denmark and seized all the royal income that winter of 1047.

  "Then Svein, with his troops, came south to Denmark and took all the royal income that winter (A.D. 1047)."

• attestation: Svein sailed east along Scania to wait while the Norwegian kings were occupied in the north.

  "he steered with his forces eastward along Scania, and remained there until towards winter, when he heard that King Magnus and King Harald had gone northwards to Norway."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 30. Of Svein Ulfson.

• attestation: Svein Ulfson stayed in Scania in autumn 1047 preparing to flee to Sweden and renounce his Danish royal title.

  "Svein Ulfson remained that autumn in Scania (A.D. 1047), and was making ready to travel eastward to Sweden, with the intention of renouncing the title of king he had assumed in Denmark"

• attestation: Upon learning of Magnus's death and the Norwegian withdrawal, Svein swore never again to flee Denmark and rode south into Scania to rally support.

  "Svein answered in haste, "I call God to witness that I shall never again fly from the Danish dominions as long as I live." Then he got on his horse and rode south into Scania, where immediately many people crowded to him."

• attestation: All Danes accepted Svein as king that winter, and Thorer (Magnus's brother) arrived with Magnus's dying message and was well received.

  "That winter he brought under his power all the Danish dominions, and all the Danes took him for their king. Thorer, King Magnus's brother, came to Svein in autumn with the message of King Magnus"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 34. Of The Armaments Of Svein Ulfson And Harald.

• attestation: Svein Ulfson ruled all Danish dominions after Magnus's death, staying quiet in winter but going to sea with his fleet each summer.

  "King Svein ruled over all the Danish dominions after King Magnus's death. He sat quiet all the winter; but in summer he lay out in his ships with all his people"

• attestation: Svein challenged Harald to meet at the Gaut river in summer 1049 for a decisive battle.

  "King Svein proposed to King Harald in winter (A.D.

1049. to meet him the following summer at the Gaut river and fight until in the battle-field their differences were ended, or they were settled peacefully."

• attestation: Both kings prepared all winter, calling out half of all fighting men for the summer confrontation.

  "They made ready on both sides all winter with their ships, and called out in summer one-half of all the fighting men."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 35. Harald'S Escape Into The Jutland Sea.

• attestation: King Svein appeared at Thioda with a great land force and challenged Harald to come ashore and fight.

  "as they sailed north past Thioda King Svein came down from the land with a great force and he challenged King Harald to land and fight."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 51. Murder Of Asmund.

• attestation: After multiple failed attempts to restrain Asmund (including having him at court and putting him in irons), Svein goaded Hakon Ivarson into dealing with Asmund.

  ""Why do ye tell me of this? Why don't you go to Hakon Ivarson, who is my officer for the land-defence, placed on purpose to keep the peace for you peasants, and to hold the vikings in check? I was told that Hakon was a gallant and brave man, but I think he is rather shy when any danger of life is in the way.""

• attestation: Svein publicly questioned Hakon's courage, which when reported to Hakon, motivated him to act against Asmund.

  "I was told that Hakon was a gallant and brave man, but I think he is rather shy when any danger of life is in the way." These words of the king were brought to Hakon"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 5. King Svein Ulfson'S Death.

• attestation: Svein Ulfson died ten years after the two Haralds fell (1076).

  "King Svein Ulfson died ten years after the fall of both the Haralds (A.D. 1076)"

• attestation: After Svein, the Danish succession was: Harald Hein (3 years), Canute the Holy (7 years), Olaf (8 years), then Eirik the Good (8 years).

  "After him his son, Harald Hein, was king for three years (A.D. 1077-1080); then Canute the Holy for seven years (A.D. 1081-1087); afterwards Olaf, King Svein's third son, for eight years (A.D. 1088-1095). Then Eirik the Good, Svein's fourth son, for eight winters (A.D. 1096-1103)"