Eric VI 'the Victorious' Björnsson ¹

  General Notes:

Eric the Victorious (VI), or Erik Segersäll, (985?- 995), was king of the Swedes during the last two decades of the 10th century.

The extent of his kingdom is disputed. In addition to the Svealand heartland round lake Mälaren it may have extended down the Baltic Sea coast as far south as Blekinge. Details on Eric's reign are sparse. It is claimed that he defeated a major Danish army under the command of his nephew Styrbjörn Starke at the Fyris Wolds at Old Uppsala, from which his accolade "the victorious" stems. In all probability he founded the town of Sigtuna, which still exists and where the first Swedish coins were stamped for his son and successor Olof Skötkonung.

Eric is claimed to have married Sigrid the Haughty, daughter of Mieszko I of Poland, in the 980s.

According to the Sagas, Eric the Victorious ruled together with his brother Olof (II) Björnsson. After Olof Björnsson's death, Eric proclaimed his still unborn child co-ruler instead of his nephew Styrbjörn Starke. The disinherited Styrbjörn was to attack Eric with a large Danish force. The victory rendered Eric the cognomen "Victorious".

However, Adam of Bremen, who is considered to be more reliable than the sagas, only gives Emund Eriksson as predecessor to Eric the Victorious. He does, however, not claim that Emund was the father of Erik, and nothing contradicts the possibility that Emund and Björn were co-rulers, like Erik and Olof and their semi-legendary ancestors Björn at Hauge and Anund Uppsale.

From Snorre Sturlasson: Harald Hårfagre's Saga:

"28. KING EIRIK EYMUNDSON'S DEATH.
Duke Guthorm dwelt principally at Tunsberg, and governed the whole of Viken when the king was not there. He defended the land, which, at that time, was much plundered by the vikings. There were disturbances also up in Gautland as long as King Eirik Eymundson lived; but he died when King Harald Harfager had been ten years king of all Norway."

"29.GUTHORM'S DEATH IN TUNSBERG.
After Eirik, his son Bjorn was king of Svithjod for fifty years. He was father of Eirik the Victorious, and of Olaf the father of Styrbjorn. Guthorm died on a bed of sickness at Tunsberg, and King Harald gave his son Guthorm the government of that part of his dominions and made him chief of it."

Acceded: King of Sweden, 980.
Acceded: King of Sweden, c. 965.

[source: Ketil Ken Nygaard's Genealogy, http://nygaard.howards.net/]

Eric married Gunhilda of Poland, daughter of Mieszko I of Poland Duke of Poland and Dubrawka of Bohemia, about 980-985.¹ (Gunhilda of Poland was born in 967 ¹ and died after 1014 ².)