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| 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 ] 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 ] Danes. Harold died in battle against the forces of his son and successor ]. | ||
| Harold may have had three wives or consorts: Thora, Gunhilde and ] (the daughter of the Swedish king ]). He had four children: Håkon, Sweyn, Gunhild and Thyra (who married ]). | Harold may have had three wives or consorts: Thora, Gunhilde and ] (the daughter of the Swedish king ]). He had four children: Håkon, Sweyn, Gunhild and Thyra (who married ]). | ||
| The ] interface for ]s developed by ] is named after Harold. The Bluetooth logo consists of the Nordic ] for his initials, H and B. | The ] interface for ]s developed by ] is named after Harold. The Bluetooth logo consists of the Nordic ] for his initials, H and B. | ||
Revision as of 18:30, 13 August 2004
Harold Bluetooth Gormson (Danish Harald Blåtand, Norwegian Harald Blåtann) (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.
Harold may have had three wives or consorts: Thora, Gunhilde and Gyrid (the daughter of the Swedish king Eric the Victorious). He had four children: Håkon, Sweyn, Gunhild and Thyra (who married Styrbjörn Starke).
The Bluetooth interface for wireless Personal Area Networks developed by Ericsson is named after Harold. The Bluetooth logo consists of the Nordic runes for his initials, H and B.
| Preceded by: Gorm |
King of Denmark | Succeeded by: Sweyn I |
| Preceded by: Harald II |
King of Norway |