| Born | | Born at | | | | Died | 3 Feb 1014 | Buried at | Roskilde Cathedral, Denmark | | | Swein Fork-Beard was the King of Denmark and King of England for a short period of time. Swein was also the father of Canute who also became King of England. In 988 Swein overthrew this father, King Harold Blue-Tooth Gormsson, the King of Denmark. Swein led a large number of raids along the east and south coasts of England. England was a rich country and the Danes were able to attack villages and religious communities without too much resistance. Much of the time the English paid the Danes money to leave. This money is known as Danegeld. In 994 with a huge fleet of 94 ships Swein sailed into the Thames estutary along with another Dane called Olaf Trygvasson by his side to plunder England. London put up a good defence and drove the Vikings back so Fork-Beard moved his forces south to attack the south-east coast and to plunder whatever he could find. Swein's attacks on England continued for ten years until in 1013 he invaded England with his son Canute and took control of the country. Athelred along with his wife and sons were forced to flee to Normandy for their own safety. Swein was only King of England for a few months before he died in February of 1014. After his death Canute left England and Athelred returned from Normandy to reclaim the English throne.
Selection of references used:
- Magnus Magnusson,Vikings!,
- Frank Barlow,Edward the Confessor,
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