Harthacnut of Denmark

:"For the later son of Canute the Great see Harthacanute."

Harthacnut (born c. 890) was a legendary King of Denmark. He was either the son of an otherwise unknown "Sweyn," or, as presented by "Ragnarssona þáttr", of the semi-mythic viking chieftain Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, himself one of the sons of the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok. Historians have suggested that Harthacnut was a grandson of Sigurd rather than a son; both claims are impossible to verify.Fact|date=February 2008

Early years

In the 890s Denmark was conquered by the Swedes and king Helge was deposed by Olaf who founded the House of Olaf in Denmark. According to clergyman Adam of Bremen, who came from Germany to record the history of the Archbishop of Bremen, Olaf and two or more of his sons took the realm "by weapons and violence." Fact|date=February 2008

When Olaf died, two of his sons seem to have ruled simultaneously, and around 915 a son of Olaf's son Gnupa and a Danish noblewoman Asfrid, assumed the throne. This son of Gnupa, Sigtrygg, is remembered on two runestones erected by his mother after his death.Fact|date=February 2008

According to Adam of Bremen, Harthacnut (Danish: Hardeknud) came from "Northmannia," the "land of the Northmen," by which he may have meant either Norway or Normandy, which had recently been colonized by Danish vikings. It is also likely that Harthacnut was brought up in the Danelaw territories in East Anglia.Fact|date=February 2008

Rise to power

In 916, Harthacnut immediately deposed the young king Sigtrygg. Harthacnut then ruled unopposed for approximately thirty years. Some researchers have relied on a single source, the Saxon chronicles of Widukind of Corvey, to establish that Sigtrygg's father Gnupa was still king in 934 when the Danes had an altercation with the German king Henry. Fact|date=February 2008 Therefore, it is unclear whether the king who was forced to pay tribute to the German ruler was Gnupa or Harthacnut.

Harthacnut and Christianity

Harthacnut is usually portrayed as indifferent or hostile towards Christianity.Fact|date=February 2008

Adam of Bremen as only source

The only primary source about "Harthacnut of Denmark" are two clauses from Adam of Bremen (1,52 and 1,55).

1,52 reads: "king Sveins son, Hardegon" in the oldest manuscript which was later changed to "king Sveins son, Harthacnut" but also changed to "king Sveins son, Athelstan." ["Adam af Bremens krønike", ISBN 87-89531-01-9]

1,55 says "Hardecnudth Vurm," a double name not uncommon in that era, later changed to "Hardecnudths son, Vurm" but also changed to "Athelstan Vurm. ["Adam af Bremens krønike", ISBN 87-89531-01-9]

The interview by king Sweyn Estridsson is very likely fictitious. The reliability of Adam as a source is called into question since he omits any reference to Sweyn I's exile in Scotland. ["Adam af Bremens krønike", page 77,79. ISBN 87-89531-01-9]

ee also

*List of monarchs of East Anglia

Notes

Historians generally agree that "Vurm" (English: "worm" or "serpent") is a German translation of the Danish name: Gorm.