| Revision as of 19:30, 31 July 2002 editJHK (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,951 edits Some fixes -- he isn't Otto I the Great -- just Otto the Great← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:30, 31 July 2002 edit undoJHK (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,951 editsmNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
| 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. | ||
| Although his predecessors had accepted Christianity at the instigation of the ] ] kings in 826, many Danes and other northerners were still heathens for centuries. Harald Bluetooth was (again ?) forced to accept ], following defeat (972) by the ] ]. Otto had already founded many bishoprics including ], ] and ] on the ]. After his conversion to Christianity, Harold remained a faithful ally of the empire. Otto the Great died in ] and Harold made his way to the Eider river, but he had to take refuge at ] in northern Germany when he was fought by not yet christianized Danes. Harold died in battle against the forces of his son and successor ]. | Although his predecessors had accepted Christianity at the instigation of the ] ] kings in 826, many Danes and other northerners were still heathens for centuries. Harald Bluetooth was (again ?) forced to accept ], following defeat (972) by the ] ]. Otto had already founded many bishoprics including ], ] and ] on the ]. After his conversion to Christianity, Harold remained a faithful ally of the empire. Otto the Great died in ] and Harold made his way to the Eider river, but he had to take refuge at ] in northern Germany when he was fought by not yet christianized Danes. Harold died in battle against the forces of his son and successor ]. | ||
| Harald may have had three wives or consorts: Thora, Gunhilde and Gyrid Olafsson. He had four children: Håkon, Sweyn, Gunhild and Thyra. | Harald may have had three wives or consorts: Thora, Gunhilde and Gyrid Olafsson. He had four children: Håkon, Sweyn, Gunhild and Thyra. | ||
Revision as of 19:30, 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.
Although his predecessors had accepted Christianity at the instigation of the Frankish Carolingian kings in 826, many Danes and other northerners were still heathens for centuries. Harald Bluetooth was (again ?) forced to accept Christianity, following defeat (972) by the Holy Roman emperor Otto 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.
Harald may have had three wives or consorts: Thora, Gunhilde and Gyrid Olafsson. He had four children: Håkon, Sweyn, Gunhild and Thyra.