Svein Knutsson facts for kids

Svein Knutsson (born around 1016, died 1035) was an important figure in early Norwegian history. He was the son of Cnut the Great, a powerful king who ruled Denmark, Norway, and England. Svein's mother was Ælfgifu of Northampton, a noblewoman from Mercia.

In 1030, King Cnut sent Svein and his mother Ælfgifu to rule Norway. They were meant to act as regents, which means they ruled on behalf of the king. Svein was still quite young at the time. However, their rule was not popular with the Norwegian people. They introduced new taxes and strict laws. Because of this, the Norwegians saw their rule as unfair. Svein and Ælfgifu were eventually forced out of Norway in 1034.

What's in a Name?

Svein Knutsson was known by a few different names. Sometimes he was called Sveinn Alfífuson. This means "Svein, son of Ælfgifu," which was a way to show his mother's name. He also had a nickname, óforsynjukonungr, which means "unforeseen king."

In Norway, his name is Svein Knutsson. In Denmark, it's Svend Knudsen. You might also see his name spelled as Sven or Sweyn. He was the second ruler in Norway with this name. His grandfather, Sweyn Forkbeard, was the first.

Life and Rule in Norway

Svein's time in Norway began after some big changes. In 1029, Håkon Eiriksson, who was Cnut's ruler in Norway, was lost at sea. Then, Olaf Haraldsson, a former king of Norway, tried to take back his kingdom. But Olaf was defeated and killed in a battle called the Battle of Stiklestad.

After Olaf's defeat, King Cnut decided to send Svein and Ælfgifu to Norway. Ælfgifu was the main ruler, acting as regent for her son, who was only 14 years old. This decision disappointed many Norwegian nobles. People like Einar Tambarskjelve and Kalv Arnesson had hoped to gain power themselves.

Challenges and Unpopular Laws

The early 1030s were a tough time in Europe. Denmark started to control Norway more strictly. This led to many new rules and policies. These changes caused people to resist the new rulers. It was similar to the resistance that Saint Olav had faced earlier.

According to old stories called Sagas, Ælfgifu and Svein made people angry with their new taxes and laws. They were seen as very harsh.

One writer, Snorri, wrote about Svein's new laws. Many of them were like Danish laws, but some were even stricter. For example:

• No one could leave the country without the king's permission. If they did, their property would be taken by the king.
• If someone committed murder, they would lose their land and property.
• If an outlaw was supposed to inherit something, the king would take it instead.
• Every farmer had to give the king a certain amount of malt (for making beer) and a piece of ox meat at Christmas. This was called vinjartodde, or land tax. They also had to give a bucket of butter.

The Battle of Soknasund

In 1033, a battle happened in Norway called the Battle of Soknasund. A man named Tryggve the Pretender arrived with an army from England. He claimed to be the son of Olav Tryggvason and said he had a right to the kingdom.

When Svein and Ælfgifu heard about Tryggve's invasion, they gathered their army. Svein and his Danish soldiers marched south. They thought Tryggve would try to get through a narrow sea passage called the Skagerrak. However, Tryggve landed in a different area and sailed to attack Svein's navy. The two fleets met near the island of Bokn. Svein won the battle, and Tryggve Olavsson was killed.

End of Svein's Rule

Even after winning the battle, Svein's rule was still in trouble. Later that winter, the nobles Kalv Arnesson and Einar Tambarskjelve decided to act. They traveled to Gardarike (modern-day Russia) to find Magnus, who was the son of Olaf Haraldsson.

When Magnus came to Norway, the people quickly supported him. They turned against the Danish rulers. Svein had to escape back to Denmark. He died there a short time later. Because of this, the King of Denmark had to give up his claim to rule Norway.

Svein in Shakespeare's Macbeth

Svein Knutsson is mentioned in William Shakespeare's famous play, Macbeth. In the play, he is called "Sweno, the Norways' king." He appears as a character in the background story of the first act.

In the play, Sweno's army arrives in Scotland and starts attacking people. He surrounds Macbeth in a castle. The Scottish king, Duncan, sends food and drink to the Norwegians. But the food is secretly mixed with a sleeping potion. When the Norwegians fall asleep, Macbeth's army attacks them. Sweno himself manages to escape.

Later, King Cnut and the Danes arrive to get revenge. But they agree to a peace treaty instead. The play says that Sweno had to pay a large sum of money to the Scots before his dead soldiers could be buried.

Other Information

• Gade, Kari (trans.) (2000) Morkinskinna: The Earliest Icelandic Chronicle of the Norwegian Kings (1030-1157) (Cornell University Press)
• Hollander, Lee (trans.) (2002) Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway (University of Texas Press)
• Jones, Gwyn (2001) A History of the Vikings (Oxford Univ. Press)
• Sephton, John (trans.) (1895) The Saga of King Olaf Tryggwason (Kessinger Publishing, LLC)