Niels, King of Denmark facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Niels
Fragment of a coin depicting King Niels
King of Denmark
Reign	1104–1134
Predecessor	Eric I Evergood
Successor	Eric II Emune
Born	c. 1063
Died	25 June 1134 (aged 70–71) Schleswig
Burial	"boggy grave" in Gottorp
Spouse	Margaret Fredkulla Ulvhild Håkansdotter
Issue more…	Magnus I of Sweden
House	Estridsen
Father	Sweyn II of Denmark

Niels (born around 1065 – died June 25, 1134) was the King of Denmark for 30 years, from 1104 to 1134. He became king after his brother, Eric Evergood, passed away. Niels was likely the youngest son of King Sweyn II Estridson.

King Niels strongly supported making his brother, Canute IV the Holy, a saint. He also stood by his son, Magnus I of Sweden, after Magnus killed his cousin, Knud Lavard, who was also a possible heir to the throne. The church leaders often supported King Niels's rule. Sadly, Niels was killed during a civil war. After his death, Eric II Emune became the new king.

Early Life and Family

Niels was born around the year 1063. His parents were King Sweyn II Estridson and a woman whose name is not known. Four of Niels's brothers became king before him.

Niels is first mentioned in history in 1086. At that time, he was sent to Flanders to take the place of his exiled brother, King Olaf I. When his brother Eric Evergood died in July 1103, Niels was the last surviving brother. He was chosen to be king the next year, even though Eric had picked someone else.

In 1105, Niels married Margaret Fredkulla. She was the daughter of Inge I of Sweden, who was the King of Sweden. Many people believed that Queen Margaret had a lot of influence over King Niels's decisions.

How King Niels Ruled Denmark

For most of King Niels's time on the throne, Denmark was peaceful inside its borders. A historical record from that time, the Chronicon Roskildense, describes him as a kind and friendly person. However, it also says he wasn't the strongest ruler.

Niels made some changes to his personal hird, which was his group of loyal followers. He split them into two parts: one for military duties and another for managing the country, like collecting taxes. He also appointed family members as his jarls (a type of noble leader). These included his son-in-law, Jarl Ubbe, and his nephews, Eric (Emune) and Canute Lavard.

King Niels supported the church. He gave gifts to the clergy in Odense to help make his brother, Canute IV the Holy, a saint. He hoped that by helping the church, he could make the monarchy (the king's power) stronger. However, it seems he didn't get full support from the powerful nobles on Zealand. Niels also led military campaigns against the Wends, a group of people living near the Baltic Sea, working together with Poland. In 1125, Niels's son, Magnus, became King of Sweden as Magnus I.

The Civil War Begins

Niels's wife, Queen Margaret, died in 1128 or 1129. His son, Magnus, lost his throne in Sweden in 1130. After 26 years of peace, a big conflict started between Magnus and his cousin, Canute Lavard. Canute was very popular in the Duchy of Schleswig, where he was a jarl. Many people saw him as a possible future king after Niels.

On January 7, 1131, Magnus killed Canute near Haraldsted. At first, King Niels was upset with Magnus. But eventually, he decided to support his son. This led to a civil war between King Niels and the supporters of Canute's half-brother, Eric (Emune).

King Niels had his strongest support in Jutland, and the church also stood by him. To gain more help, he agreed to let the Danish Archdiocese of Lund in Scania be controlled by the German Archdiocese of Hamburg-Bremen. This decision made Archbishop Asser of Lund switch his support to Eric.

The Battle of Fotevik

Eric didn't have much success in Denmark. So, in 1134, he moved his fight to Scania. In June 1134, Niels and Magnus sailed to Fotevik Bay in Scania. They wanted to defeat Eric once and for all.

However, at the Battle of Fotevik on June 4, 1134, Niels and Magnus were surprised by German soldiers on horses. Niels managed to escape, but Magnus was killed.

Niels' Final Moments

After the battle, Niels tried to find safety with the Holy Roman Emperor Lothar III in Germany. But he didn't make it past the city of Schleswig. On June 25, 1134, Niels entered Schleswig, which had been Canute Lavard's city. He went there even though he had been warned not to. He supposedly said, "Should I fear tanners and shoemakers?"

The church leaders in Schleswig greeted him. But before he and his guards could reach the royal palace, the townspeople turned against him. King Niels was killed. His death ended the almost sixty-year rule of Sweyn II Estridson's sons. After Niels fell, Eric II Emune became the new king.

King Niels's Children

Niels married Margaret Fredkulla, the daughter of King Inge I of Sweden. After Margaret died in 1128 or 1129, he married Ulvhild Håkansdotter. She had been married to Inge II of Sweden and later married Sverker I of Sweden. Niels had two children with Margaret, and one child born outside of marriage.

• Inge Nielsen, who died when he was a child.
• Magnus I of Sweden
• Ingerd of Denmark was born outside of marriage. She later married Jarl Ubbe Esbernsen, who was a descendant of Canute the Great.

See also

In Spanish: Nicolás I de Dinamarca para niños