Svipdagr (king)
| Svipdagr | |
|---|---|
| King of the Norwegians | |
| King of the Swedes | |
| Predecessor | Gram |
| Successor | Asmund |
| King of the Danes (first reign) | |
| Predecessor | Gram |
| Successor | Guthorm |
| King of the Danes (second reign) | |
| Predecessor | Guthorm |
| Successor | Hading |
| Consort | daughter of Gram and Groa |
| Issue | Asmund |
| Religion | Pagan |
| Characters of Gesta Danorum |
|---|
| Danish kings (family tree) |
| Foreign rulers |
| Other men |
| Women |
Svipdagr or Swipdag was a legendary king of Norway, and later of Denmark and Sweden, and important figure in Book One of Gesta Danorum. He came into conflict with Gram of Denmark and Gram's sons.
Gram went to war with Svipdag for debauching his sister and daughter (neither of whom are identified in the text, although Svipdag's later-mentioned wife is also the sister of Guthorm, Gram's son). After Gram murdered Henry, King of the Saxons, many Saxons joined Svipdagr's side. Svipdagr was able to kill Gram in battle and took over Sweden and Denmark.
Having won the war, Svipdagr installed his nephew, Guthorm as the puppet king of the Danes. Guthorm's half-brother, Hading, went into exile, but eventually returned and killed Svipdagr. Svipdagr's son, Asmund, continued the war in Sweden after Svipdagr's death.