Gormsson of Denmark, Harald II

Birth Name Gormsson of Denmark, Harald II
Nick Name Bluetooth
Gender male
Age at Death 76 years, 10 months

Narrative

Harold Bluetooth (died about 985), king of Denmark (940?-985), who consolidated the Danish realm as a unitary kingdom. He was the son of Gorm the Old (d. about 940) and inherited his kingdom, centered on Jelling in Jutland. Although he temporarily (974-983) lost southern Jutland to Holy Roman Emperor Otto II, Harold secured all Denmark under his control and extended his rule to much of Norway. Baptized in 960 and thus introducing Christianity into Denmark, he had the famous Jelling rune stone erected in his parents' memory. Harold was fatally wounded during a rebellion by his son and successor, Sweyn I.

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King Harald Bluetooth lived in Denmark between 910-940 AD, and was the son of Gorm.

Contrary to popular opinion, Bluetooth or "Blåtand" as it was in old Viking language had nothing to do with a blue tooth.

It means dark complexion - he had very dark hair, which was unusual for Vikings. Not only did Harald not fit the classic image physically, he was a rather unusual Viking.

That is, if your understanding was that the life of a Viking was all battles and pillage. The good King Harald brought Christianity to Scandinavia and also "united" Denmark and Norway. And while we are destroying long-held beliefs, Vikings did not have horns on their helmets!

Much of Harald's history was learnt from two runic stones erected to his memory in the town of Jelling in Denmark

Sources:

1. Abbrev: University of Hull Royal Database (England)
Title: Brian Tompsett, Dept of Computer Science, University of Hull Royal Database (England) (copyright 1994, 1995, 1996)base (England)base (England). copyright 1994, 1995, 1996.
Note:
Call number:

usually reliable but sometimes includes hypothetical lines, mythological figures, etc

WWW, University of Hull, Hull, UK HU6 7RX bct@tardis.ed.ac.uk
Text: s of Gorm the Old of Jutland King of Denmark & Thyri Klacksdottir
2. Abbrev: Ancestry of Richard Plantagenet & Cecily de Nevill
Title: Ernst-Friedrich Kraentzler, Ancestry of Richard Plantagenet & Cecily de Neville (published by author 1978)evilleeville. published by author 1978.
Note:
Call number:

J.H. Garner
Page: chart 1791
Text: Confuses this Harald, who was s of Gorm the Old & m Elgiva of England, with his cousin/relative? Harald Parcus K of Denmark, also makes him s of Gorm & Sida.
3. Abbrev: Europäische Stammtafeln (Isenburg edition)
Title: Prince Wilhelm Karl von Isenburg, Europäische Stammtafeln (Isenburg edition) (Verlag von J.A. Stargardt, Marburg, pub. 1975, original 1953)tion)tion). Verlag von J.A. Stargardt, Marburg, pub. 1975, original 1953.
Note:
Call number:

selected charts in possession of J.H. Garner
Page: Band II table 70
4. Abbrev: Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonists Who
Title: Frederick Lewis Weis, Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonists Who Came to America bef 1760 (7th ed Genealogical Publishing, Baltimore 1992)ame to America bef 1760ame to America bef 1760. 7th ed Genealogical Publishing, Baltimore 1992.
Note:
Call number:

Same ref source as earlier ed, "Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonists who Came to New England 1623-1650" ed 1-6

good to very good

J.H. Garner
Page: line 1B p 6 footnote
5. Abbrev: Pullen010502.FTW
Title: Pullen010502.FTW
Note:
Call number:
Text: Date of Import: Jan 5, 2002
6. Abbrev: University of Hull Royal Database (England)
Title: Brian Tompsett, Dept of Computer Science, University of Hull Royal Database (England) (copyright 1994, 1995, 1996)base (England)base (England). copyright 1994, 1995, 1996.
Note:
Call number:

usually reliable but sometimes includes hypothetical lines, mythological figures, etc

WWW, University of Hull, Hull, UK HU6 7RX bct@tardis.ed.ac.uk

Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth 910 Blauzahn, Germandy   1
Death 986-11-01 Jomsborg, Denmark   1

Age: 76y

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father Haraldsson, Gorm880931
Mother Klacksdottir, Thyra896935
    Brother     Gormsson, Knut Danaast 866
    Sister     Gormsdatter, Gunhild 904
         Gormsson of Denmark, Harald II 910 986-11-01
    Brother     Denmark, Harold III Gormsson 911
    Brother     Gormsen, Toke Val-Toke 914
    Brother     De Crepon, Herfast 921 1002

Families

Family of Gormsson of Denmark, Harald II and Olafsdottir, Gunnhild

Unknown Partner Olafsdottir, Gunnhild ( * 923 + 1002 )
  Children
Name Birth Date Death Date
Haraldsdottir, Thyra9471000-09-18
Haraldsson of Denmark, Sveyn I9651013-02-02
of Denmark, Nevia