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| '''Harold Bluetooth Gormson''' (Danish ''Harald Blåtand |
'''Harold Bluetooth Gormson''' (Danish ''Harald Blåtand'') (ca ]- ] ]), sometimes '''Harold II''', succeeded his father ] as king of ] in 935 (or 940) and king of ] in 936. | ||
| Invading ] in 945 in support of Richard the Fearless, Harold's forces took the ] king ] prisoner and forced his recognition of Richard's rule. Harold subsequently controlled ] for a time. | Invading ] in 945 in support of Richard the Fearless, Harold's forces took the ] king ] prisoner and forced his recognition of Richard's rule. Harold subsequently controlled ] for a time. | ||
Revision as of 12:15, 31 July 2002
Harold Bluetooth Gormson (Danish Harald Blåtand) (ca 911- November 1 987), sometimes Harold II, succeeded his father Gorm the Old as king of Denmark in 935 (or 940) and king of Norway in 936.
Invading Normandy in 945 in support of Richard the Fearless, Harold's forces took the French king Louis IV prisoner and forced his recognition of Richard's rule. Harold subsequently controlled Norway for a time.
His predecessors had already accepted christian Frankish/German government in 826, but many Danes and other northerners were still heathens for centuries. Harald Bluetooth was (again ?) forced to accept Christianity and with it Frankish government, following defeat (972) by the Holy Roman emperor Otto I the Great. Otto had already founded many bishoprics including Schleswig, Ribe and Aarhus on the Jutland Peninsula. After his conversion to Christianity, Harold remained a faithful ally of the empire. Otto the Great died in 983 and Harold made his way to the Eider river, but he had to take refuge at Jomsburg in northern Germany when he was fought by not yet christianized Danes. Harold died in battle against the forces of his son and successor Sweyn.
Harold may have had three wives or consorts: Thora, Gunhilde and Gyrid Olafsson. He had four children: Håkon, Sweyn, Gunhild and Thyra.