Eric X of Sweden (1180-10 April 1216) was King of Sweden from 31 January 1208 to 10 April 1216, succeeding Sverker II of Sweden and preceding John I of Sweden.
Biography[]
Eric Cnutsson was born in 1180, the son of Canute I of Sweden. His father died in 1195, and Sverker II of Sweden - a member of the rival House of Sverker - took power. Eric and his three brothers attempted to seize power in 1205 with support from the Norwegian Birkebeiners, but Eric's brothers were killed at the Battle of Algaras. In 1208, Eric defeated Sverker and his Danish allies at the Battle of Lena and took the throne for himself, and he killed Sverker in a final battle at Gestilren in July 1210. He then reconciled with Denmark and the Catholic Church and married a daughter of Valdemar I of Denmark. He died in 1216.