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Revision as of 23:35, 23 July 2002 by Tobias Hoevekamp (talk | contribs) (-/talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Harold Bluetooth Gormson (Danish Harald Blåtand) (c.911-986), sometimes Harold II, succeeded his father Gorm the Old as king of Denmark in 935 (or 940) and king og 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.
He was forced to covert to Christianity following defeat (972) by the Holy Roman emperor Otto I the Great. After his conversion to Christianity ,Harold remained a faithfull ally of the empire and 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.