Sweyn II Estridsson of Denmark (1019-28 April 1074) was King of Denmark from 1047 to 1074, succeeding Magnus I of Norway and preceding Harald III of Denmark. Sweyn won Denmark's independence from Norway after defeating both Magnus and Harald Hardrada, and he is considered to be the last of the viking kings of Denmark and the first medieval one.
Biography[]
Sweyn Estridsson was born in 1019 in England, the son of Ulf the Earl and Estrid Svendsdatter, the daughter of Sweyn Forkbeard. He grew up a military leader, and he pillaged the land between the Elbe and Weser rivers in 1040 under King Anund Jacob of Sweden. In 1042, he became the Jarl of Jutland under King Magnus I of Norway, but the great general Sweyn would later proclaim himself king. He was forced to flee to Sweden after being defeated several times, but he managed to establish a foothold in Skane. In 1045, he joined forces with Harald Hardrada against Magnus, and he was granted Denmark by Magnus on his deathbed in 1047. Harald Hardrada was unwilling to divide Magnus' kingdom with Sweyn, so the two former allies fought each other. In 1064, Sweyn made peace with Harald, who demanded Sweyn's recognition of his rule over Norway in exchange for recognizing Sweyn as King of Denmark. King Sweyn was considered to be the last viking king of Denmark and the first medieval one, and he died in 1074.