King of Denmark, Norway, and England

Svend I 'Otto' 'Fordbeard' succeeded his father, Harald I 'Bluetooth' as king of Denmark and reigned from 985 to 1014. He reigned as King of Norway from 985 to 995 while Hakon Jarl was the de facto ruler. He was succeeded by Olaf Trygvasson until the battle of Swold in 1000 and King Olaf's death at which time he reigned as King of Norway again from 1000 - 1014. He became King of England in 1013 and reigned until his death in Feb of 1014.

Svend's father, Harald I 'Bluetooth' accepted Christianity around 960 and he and all of his family were baptized. Svend was given the Christian name 'Otto' after the German Emperor.

After the St. Brice Day of the massacre of England's Danish people, Svend led a series of invasion from 1003 - 1013 against England. The king himself led his Danish fleet in a full-scale invasion in 1013. They landed as Sanwich and turned towards London. The Londoners had destroyed the bridges over the River Thames and Svend suffered great losses and had to withdraw. He then led his army into the old Danelaw territory north of Humber and he was hailed their king. They barely spilled a drop of blood along the way. The kingdoms of the north fell to Svend Forkbeard and the south fallowed until London was alone and isolated inside a country that had completely surrendered. King Ethelred II 'the Unready fled to Normandy in late 1013 and Svend Forkbeard became the King of England.

Svend ruled England only 5 short weeks when he died at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England. His body was returned to Denmark and he was buried at Hellig Trefoldig, Roskilde, Denmark.

Svend's nickname of 'Forkbeard' refers to his long 'pitchfork - like moustache. It was not a full beard but was fashionable at that time.

(Information and picture from Wikipedia: Fair Use)

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