Sweyn Forkbeard

King of Denmark

17 April 963 Denmark

3 February 1014 (aged 50) Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England

Incumbent

11th-century King of Denmark, England, and Norway "King Sweyn" and "Sweyn of Norway" redirect here. For other people, see Sweyn. For the hake, see Phycis phycis. King of Denmark Sweyn Forkbeard (/s v ɛ n / ; Old Norse: Sveinn Haraldsson tjúguskegg; Danish: Svend Tveskæg; 17 April 963 – 3 February 1014) was king of Denmark from 986 to 1014. He was the father of King Harald II of Denmark, King Cnut the Great and Queen Estrid Svendsdatter. In the mid-980s, Sweyn revolted against his father, Harald Bluetooth, and seized the throne. Harald was driven into exile and died shortly afterwards in November 986 or 987. In 1000, with the allegiance of Trondejarl and Eric of Lade, Sweyn ruled most of Norway. In 1013, shortly before his death, he became the first Danish king of England after a long effort.