Sven Forkbeard, (960 – 1014), Danish king, founder of Lund
King of Denmark
Sven was the son of the Danish king Harald Bluetooth and the father of Knut the Great.
In the 10th century, the loosely allied small kingdoms of the Old Norse world began moving towards Christianity, as was happening on the continent. Harald Bluetooth had increased his power as Danish king by creating a sovereignty consisting of scattered strongholds. However, this required money, which he obtained through looting expeditions and trade, mainly aimed at England. Around 987, Sven Forkbeard revolted against his father, Harald Bluetooth, and drove him into exile. Sven Forkbeard then became the recognized king of Denmark.
Lund, founded at the end of the 10th century
In Eastern Denmark, the monarchy needed a centre of stability and Lund became the chosen place. A mint, a royal estate and Christianity soon followed. From the very start, Lund was a royal city. The first wooden church in Skåne – Trinitatis or Drotten – pre-dating the cathedral – was built and adopted by Sven Forkbeard as his own church. It was later demolished to make way for a stone church. Ruins of the church can be found in Kattesund, where the Drotten church ruin museum is located. English mint masters, Danish warriors, Slavic potters, various Scanians and slaves from different places, began arriving in Lund making it, from the very beginning, an international city.
Battle of Svolder
The political unrest during the late Viking age meant that the travels of Sven Forkbeard during his life after founding Lund, were set to continue. He was attacked by the Swedish king Erik the Victorious (Erik Segersäll). He went into exile but returned together with Erik’s successor Olof Skötkonung (sometimes Olaf the Swede). He then attacked the Norwegian king Olof Tryggvasson at Svolder. This was a mythical naval battle that must have taken place around the year 1000. Where Svolder is located is unclear but perhaps it was the island of Ven or Rügen. As a consequence, southern Norway became incorporated into Sven Forkbeard’s North Sea Empire.
Sven’s looting raids to England resumed, the main motivation being the prospect of revenue.
Sven eventually came to rule over northern England and in 1013, became king of England. However, he fell ill and died in England on February 3, 1014. It is unclear where he is buried. It may have been at the Drotten church in Lund
A small street sign in Linero today bears the name, Sven Tveskägg (Sven Forkbeard). The name of his son, who previously was believed to have founded Lund, is the name of the lively square opposite the railway station – Knut den stores torg (Knut the Great Square).
Text: Ingrid André