| Eric Bloodaxe | |
|---|---|
 Eric Bloodaxe, seated, and Gunnhild are confronted by Egill Skallagrimsson | |
|
Real Name |
Eric Haraldsson |
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Born |
Unknown |
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Died |
954 |
Origin[]
Eric Haraldsson, nicknamed Bloodaxe and Brother-Slayer, was a Norwegian king. He ruled as King of Norway from 932 to 934, succeeding Harald Fairhair and preceding Haakon I of Norway., and twice as King of Northumbria: from 947 to 948, and again from 952 to 954. It is not clear why he earned the name “Bloodaxe.” However, many sources claim it was because he had murdered most of his brothers to gain control of the Kingdom of Norway. However, his reign was short-lived.
Eric Bloodaxe a son of Harald Fairhair. Eric took part in viking raids against the Baltics, Denmark, Frisia, Germany, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Russia, sailing up the Dvina River to sack the Russian port of Permina. In 931, he claimed the throne of Norway after the death of his father, although he had to slay his half-brothers in order to consolidate his power. However, The nobles of Norway later withdrew their support to his kingdom, as he was a tyrannical ruler. Within 2 years, he was ousted from power. Following this, his half-brother, Haakon the Good invaded Norway with an army provided to him by King Aethelstan of England, was placed on the throne. and the landholders forced Eric out of the country in 933.
Eric fled to Britain. There, with the support of King Æthelstan, he became the sub-king of Northumbria. However, after the death of Æthelstan, a period of conflict followed, until he became the king of Northumbria for the first time in 947. This tenure did not last long, as the English king Eadred took over Nothumbria and compelled its citizens to give up their support to Eric and favor him instead. A few years later, Eric reclaimed the throne of Northumbria, only to be ousted 2 years later. He would also make himself King of the Hebrides after conquering them. In 954, he was murdered by an earl named Maccus in Scotland.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Eric Bloodaxe before January 1, 1929 are public domain.
Some Notable Appearances are listed below:
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
- Historia Norwegiæ
- Ágrip af Nóregskonungasögum
- Orkneyinga saga
- Fagrskinna
- Heimskringla
- Egil's Saga
- Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar en mesta
Notes[]
- The weapon Erik's Bloodaxe from Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is based on Eric Bloodaxe.