Olaf Skötkonung

Olof Skötkonung (also Óláfr sænski Eiríksson ca. 960 — 1021 or 1022). King of Sweden from the house of Munsö from approximately 995 to 1022. Son of Eric the Victorious. What is known about Olaf comes from the Icelandic sagas of Snorri Sturluson, the chronicles of Adam of Bremen and theLegend by Siegfried. He was a Christian king who began evangelization in his country. According to historian Curt Weibull, he was the first monarch to proclaim himself "rex Sveorum Gothorumque" (king of the Suiones and Geats).

Biography

At the beginning of his reign, Olof allied himself with the Danish king Svend Forkbeard, and the alliance led to both defeating the Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason in the year 1000. After the victory, the Danes and Swedes divided the territory Norwegian and Olof Skötkonung received Bohuslän and Sør-Trøndelag, territories that would end up being lost in later war conflicts.

In the town of Sigtuna, Olof ordered coins to be printed with Christian motifs. Some have understood that this is where his nickname Skötkonung comes from, which would mean the treasurer king. However, "Skattkonung" It could be better translated as king of the treasure, of the tax ('skatt' means tax in Swedish). In any case, current Swedish historiography rejects the idea that this nickname is derived from an alleged collection of taxes on his part, an idea that had been maintained in the past, and prefers another option, that the king was known as "Skötkonung" because he had to pay some type of tax or tribute to the king of Denmark. However, other theories suggest that his nickname is rather a dialect variation of Götkonung (king of the götar i>, the town that populated Götaland). Gwyn Jones' version is limited to the fact that he received his nickname for his numerous Viking activities abroad.

According to the Legend of Siegfried, Olof was baptized in Husaby in 1008 by the English missionary Saint Siegfried. Although the above has not been corroborated, it is known that Olof was the king who began the Christianization of Sweden. During his reign the first bishopric was created, in the town of Skara, in 1014.

According to Adam of Bremen, the Christianization that Olof undertook generated discontent among the pagan Swedes, who dethroned him and put his son Anund James (who was also a Christian) in his place. For his part, Snorri Sturluson explains that Olof was overthrown due to the long and costly war he had waged against Norway, which among other things caused the Swedes to lose authority over the lands with which they traded on the eastern coast of the sea. Baltic. Olof reigned only over Västergötland during the last years of his life.

He died in the winter of 1021 or 1022. It is not known for sure where he was buried, but it is presumed that it was in Skara or Linköping.

Family

Olaf married Estrid, the daughter of a prince of the Abrodites named Mieszislaus. It is said that he also had a lover, named Edla.

Children with Estrid:

• Anund Jacobo. King of Sweden.
• Ingegerd. Princess of Kiev, married to Prince Yaroslav I the Sabio.

Children with Edla:

• Astrid Olofsdotter of Sweden. Queen of Norway, married to King Olaf II.
• Emund. King of Sweden.