Sweyn (r. 1013-1014)

The son of a Danish king, Sweyn 'Forkbeard' began conquering territory in England in 1003, effectively devastating much of southern and midland England. The English nobility became so disillusioned with their existing king, Ethelred 'The Unready', that they acknowledged Sweyn as king in 1013. Sweyn's reign was short, as he died in 1014, but his son Canute the Great soon returned and reclaimed control of England.

 

King Sweyn and his Danish forces disembark from their ship on arrival in England, taken from Lives of Saints Edmund and Fremund © The British Library Board, Harley 2278

Related content

Media pack

Royal Archives: A guide to the collections

The Royal Archives were first established in 1914, during the early years of the reign of King George V. The need for an archive for the papers of the Royal Family and the...

Media pack

Royal Archives: How to use the collections

The Royal Archives is the private archive of the Royal Family, and has housed the private papers of the monarchy from 1914, as well as significant historic material including...

Encyclopedia

The Tudors

Encyclopedia

The Yorkists

Encyclopedia

The Lancastrians

Encyclopedia

The Plantagenets

Encyclopedia

The Angevins

Encyclopedia

The Normans

Encyclopedia

Edwy (r.955-959)

Encyclopedia

Edred (r. 946-55)