Sweyn << svayn or svehn >> Forkbeard (?-1014) was the king of Denmark from about 987 to 1014. His name is also spelled Sven or Svein. During his reign, he took control of southern Norway. He also conquered England but did not live long enough to rule it.
In the mid-980’s, Sweyn seized the throne of Denmark from his father, Harald Bluetooth. In the early 990’s, Sweyn and Olav Tryggvason, a Norwegian Viking leader, led raids together against England. But the two men became enemies after Olav became king of Norway in 995 and began to unite that country under a strong rule. In 1000, Sweyn and the king of Sweden defeated Olav in a naval battle. Olav died in the battle, and Sweyn gained control of much of southern Norway.
In the early 1000’s, Sweyn resumed and intensified his attacks on England. In 1013, he took London and forced the English king, Ethelred II, into exile. But Sweyn died a few months later, on Feb. 3, 1014, before he could be crowned king. His forces left England, and Ethelred returned. Sweyn’s son Canute completed the conquest of England in 1016. He and his descendants ruled England until 1042, when Ethelred’s son Edward the Confessor reclaimed the throne.
