Sverker I of Sweden

Traditional image of King Sweartgar
Swedish Royalty
House of Sverker
Sverker I
Children
Prince John
Charles VII
Princess Ingegerd
Boleslaw?
Charles VII
Children
Sverker II
Boleslaw, Kol
Sverker II
Children
Princess Helena
John I
John I

Sverker I or Sverker the Elder (Old Swedish: Swærkir konongær gambli), murdered 25 December 1156, was King of Sweden from about 1130 till his death.

Biography

Sverker was a large landowner from Östergötland. According to Westrogothic law (1240), his father's name was Cornube, but according to Skáldatal, his father's name was Kol. He was acknowledged as king at the beginning of the 1130s and conquered Västergötland and its ruler Magnus the Strong. Sverker ruled for about 26 years, but not much is known about him. The convents and monasteries of Alvastra, Nydala and Varnhem were founded.

According to a Russian chronicle, the newly founded Republic of Novgorod had its first confrontation with Sweden during Sverker's reign in 1142, breaking a century-long peace that had been guaranteed by marriages between the ruling families.

Sverker was murdered in his own coach at the Alebäck bridge near Alvastra priory, going to the early religious service on Christmas Day, 1156. This was considered a shocking crime, even by medieval standards. The pretender Magnus Henriksson was suspected of the crime.

Skáldatal reports the names of two of Sverker's skalds: Einarr Skúlason and Halldórr skvaldri.

Family

By first wife Queen Ulvhild, widow of Inge the Younger, and who escaped from her second husband, King Niels of Denmark:

By second wife Queen Richeza (after Ulvhild's death), previously married to Magnus I of Sweden and to Volodar of Minsk. Attested son of this marriage was:

By one of these queens or an unknown woman:

Sverker I of Sweden
Born: ca. 1100 Died: 25 December 1156
Regnal titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Ragnvald Knaphövde
King of Sweden
1130–1156
Succeeded by
Erik the Saint
Preceded by
Magnus the Strong
as King of Gothenland

References

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