Emund the Old
King Emund the Old died in the summer of 1060 after ruling Sweden for roughly a decade. His father was Olof Skötkonung, the first Christian ruler of the Swedish realm. Emund's mother was Edla, daughter of a Slavic chief from the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. She served as one of King Olof's co-wives alongside Estrid of the Obotrites. Estrid bore two legitimate children named Anund Jacob and Ingegerd. The stepmother Estrid treated her stepchildren poorly according to the 13th-century historian Snorri Sturluson. King Olof later sent young Emund to live with his mother's Slavic family. While staying there he failed to hold on to the Christian religion. This upbringing among pagan relatives shaped his early years before he ascended to power.
Adam of Bremen wrote that Emund cared very little for the Christian faith despite being baptised. The German chronicler gave him the cognomen pessimus meaning worst. A Westrogothic law chronicle from around 1240 called him Slemme or bad. Disputes began when Emund insisted on keeping Bishop Osmundus in office. Osmundus had been raised at a school in Bremen but failed ordination by the Pope. He eventually received ordination from the Polish archbishop of Gniezno instead. Osmundus won the confidence of King Emund after arriving in Sweden. Archbishop Adalvard the Elder led an envoy delegation to Sweden in the mid-1050s. They found Osmundus wearing archbishop habits and preaching incorrect education to wild peoples. Emund turned the envoys away from an assembly upon Osmundus' insistence. Swedish magnate Stenkil escorted the delegation back home safely.
A preserved memorandum describes boundary-marks between Sweden and Denmark during Emund's reign. The text states Emund Slemme was King in Uppsala while Sweyn Forkbeard ruled Denmark. Six stones were placed between the two kingdoms at specific locations like Snutruase and Danabäck. Ragnvalde of Tiundaland and Botvid of Hälsingland helped place these markers. Grimalde of Östergötland and Tole of Jutland also participated in the delimitation process. A story follows about a meeting on Danaholmen where three Nordic kings gathered. The Danish king held the bridle of the Swedish king's horse during this encounter. Older historiography assumed Blekinge province transferred from Sweden to Denmark at that time. Modern scholarship questions if Blekinge was considered Danish even in the 1060s. Peter Sawyer doubts the veracity of the memorandum due to historical inconsistencies. He suggests it may have been authored by Danes in the first half of the 13th century. Some historians
defend its genuine character dating it to around 1050 instead.
Emund sired two known children with his consort named Anund and an unnamed daughter. His son Anund died before his father according to available records. The daughter became Queen Consort of King Stenkil of Sweden. She gave birth to two more Swedish kings named Inge I and Halsten. Emund was the last king of the ancient royal house known as the House of Munsö. Adam of Bremen relates he was succeeded by his nephew or stepson who was likely his son-in-law. This marked the beginning of the Stenkil dynasty lasting until the 1120s. A 13th-century saga states Emund was king for only a short time. He is known to have been alive as late as summer 1060. The name Gamle means old and could signify he was elderly when becoming king. It might also indicate he was the older brother to predecessor Anund Jakob. The Hervarar saga confirms
he came to throne after his brother but ruled briefly.
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Common questions
When did King Emund the Old die and how long did he rule Sweden?
King Emund the Old died in the summer of 1060 after ruling Sweden for roughly a decade. He is known to have been alive as late as summer 1060.
Who were the parents of King Emund the Old and what was his mother's background?
King Emund the Old was the son of Olof Skötkonung and Edla, daughter of a Slavic chief from the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. His mother served as one of King Olof's co-wives alongside Estrid of the Obotrites.
Why did Adam of Bremen call King Emund the Old pessimus or worst?
Adam of Bremen wrote that Emund cared very little for the Christian faith despite being baptised. The German chronicler gave him the cognomen pessimus meaning worst because of this lack of religious devotion.
What boundary-marks between Sweden and Denmark existed during the reign of King Emund the Old?
A preserved memorandum describes six stones placed between Sweden and Denmark at specific locations like Snutruase and Danabäck. Ragnvalde of Tiundaland and Botvid of Hälsingland helped place these markers along with Grimalde of Östergötland and Tole of Jutland.
How many children did King Emund the Old have and who succeeded him to the throne?
Emund sired two known children named Anund and an unnamed daughter who became Queen Consort of King Stenkil of Sweden. Adam of Bremen relates he was succeeded by his nephew or stepson who was likely his son-in-law, marking the beginning of the Stenkil dynasty lasting until the 1120s.
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7 references cited across the entry
- 1citationVikingatidens ABCMaj Odelberg — Swedish Museum of National Antiquities — 1995
- 2inlineYngre Västgötalagen