Talk:Sweyn Forkbeard

message: There is an entry Sven of Denmark. I think this needs a redirect to Sweyn.
the first scot to bear the title steward of scotland was a grandson of sweyn, and his progeny took the name stewart, and when robert the bruce's daughter married walter stewart their son because the first stewart king of scotland, to there are at least two lines of descent from sweyn to the stewart kings of scotland and england. - robbin stewart 9/4/15.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.112.200.46 (talk) 19:11, 5 September 2015 (UTC)
replies: text: I disagree. There are many notable people named Sven (see the list here), so it's important to maintain a separate article on the name itself. Sweyn Forkbeard is not so unambiguously attached to the name "Sven" to justify redirecting the name's article to this one. --Biblioworm 21:50, 5 September 2015 (UTC)
thread_title: Untitled

message: An anonymous editor considers the Swedish conquest of Denmark to be "propaganda" against Denmark. However, his addition had factual errors so it is better discussed here:
:12th century historian Saxo Grammaticus claims that Sweyn was deposed by Swedish king Eric the Victorious who proclaimed himself king of Denmark and ruled it until his death in 994 or 995. This is obviously erronoeus; contemporary sources have Sweyn ruling Denmark in 991 and 994 when he claimed "Danegeld" from king Ethelred the Unready of England, and he also had coins made with his likeness, being the first Danish king to do so.
:Besides, Sweden was not yet united into a single kingdom, and the Gothian kings had nowhere near the military power that it would have taken to overthrow the king of Denmark...the were often busy warring with each other, and only in the 13th century did modern Sweden begin to take shape. Contemporary Danish historians (Benito Scocozza, Grethe Jensen, Bent Østergaard etc.) disregard the idea, which is not a serious topic of discussion in neither Danish nor Swedish historical research.
:The supposed "Swedish" conquest may have been based on an ealier event when the Danish king Helge was deposed by a warlord who probably came from modern-day Sweden in the 890s. It may also be a case of conscious propaganda by the writers of the catholic church who rather disliked Sweyn Forkbeards attempt to bring English rather than German priests to Denmark. They would have wanted to show his reign as being unsuccesful, as does Saxo who claims (albeit erroneously) that Sweyn was a heathen.
It was the 11th century chronicler Adam of Bremen who said that Eric conquered Denmark, so I strongly doubt the veracity of this addition. Moreover, the description of Sweden is highly POV and even if it was correct, I do not see its relevance. And what is Gothian? I'd also like to know which contemporary sources, the anon refers to.--Wiglaf 5 July 2005 09:03 (UTC)
Now the anonymous Dane has removed the reference to Nationalencyklopedin's statement in this issue and asserts that Sigrid the Haughty is completely fictive.--Wiglaf 16:30, 29 July 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Do we seriously have a Danish nationalist POV warrior here? Where do these people come from? john k 17:47, 29 July 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Apparently :(.--Wiglaf 18:56, 29 July 2005 (UTC)

text: Well, yes. I have written about the problems of defining Sigrid the Haughty as a historical character in her own article, but this person asserts her fictiveness which is a different matter all-together. He has already shown that he does not respond when I try to make contact with him (on a slightly different IP address), and he completely ignores this discussion.--Wiglaf 20:52, 29 July 2005 (UTC)

text: This is an encyclopedia. If you want to present your own certainties and opinions, you should make a webpage about it.--Wiglaf 15:51, 6 August 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: It is very interesting that when I state that Canute the Great ruled Sweden for some time, it gets removed by Swedes. When I state that Eric the Victorious probably ruled Denmark for some time, it gets removed by Danes. I frankly think that it is distressing. This is an encyclopedia, where we state what primary and secondary sources say. If Swedes and Danes can't accept that their kings may sometimes have ruled the other country as well, what hope is there for Wikipedia?--Wiglaf 11:47, 28 September 2005 (UTC)

text: Can we put to rest the Neutrality dispute?  I'll leave it up until sept 1st, unless someone says otherwise. (Opes 08:12, 27 August 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Well, I suggest that it remains until someone has solved the neutrality problems with the article.--Wiglaf 14:39, 2 September 2005 (UTC)

text: I made a try, but the anonymous POV-pusher reappeared. I guess we'll have to live with these tags on the article.--Wiglaf 15:54, 10 September 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Anonymous edits

message: I'm not an expert on the subject, so bear with me here...  The article as-is has an obvious pov that Sweyn wasn't overthrown... most of the content of the article is about this.  Could we say something like (My facts are sketchy at best, I dont' really know the history):
Sweyn I "Forkbeard" (Sven Otto Haraldsson; Danish: Svend Tveskæg, originally Tjugeskæg or Tyvskæg, Norwegian: Svein Tjugeskjegg) (c. 960 – February 3, 1014). Sveyn succeeded his father Harold I as king of Denmark, probably in late 986 or early 987...  (blah blah blah) ... Adam of Bremen says in his history Saxo Grammaticus claims that Sweyn was deposed by Swedish king Eric the Victorious.  Some historians disagree with this, however (put cites to case against Adam here)..."  
Admittedly a loose framework, but I think what we need to do is put in that some people *do* disagree with the history, but not state an opinion (ie "This is highly doubtful").  I'd do a draft of the whole article, but I'll leave that to someone who has more knowledge of the history.  Windsagio 23:55, 17 October 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Hows this? 

message: Okay i do understand where people are coming from. Name changed to Sweyn, in all cases; that being the article nbame. But rather thanj just reverting EVERY time to something that must be an inferior article judjing by the lack of consensus on it it...can you not all make something better? Istead of arguing over who invaded who and what his name is! An edit would be more productive then a revert. What i created is by no means perfect, but I was trying to create a neutral objective solution that was just history...I hope you guys will edit, and not revert!Ciriii 19:05, 16 December 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Edit, not revert 

message: On Kingdom of England is the death date February 2, 1014 is listed. Here it is February 3, 1014. Please find the correct. Can't find sources. None are listed. ARRRRRRGH!!! HELP MEEEE IM DYING!!!1!!!11!!11111 --80.63.213.182 13:43, 29 June 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Death date 

message: Hi, somebody added Harraldsson as  a surname and i removed it as i wanted it confirming..I never heard of him referred to as this and it could just be an easy Scandinavian guess, i mean I could be Michaelsson..but I am not...if you get me?? So could someone find me a csource?Ciriii 15:32, 15 March 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Hi Ciriii, well, technically, it's correct: he was Harald's son. But I don't know how frequently or by whom he is referred to like that. Since name issues seem to have rocked this article before, I think it's best if some of the original contributors are given a chance to comment before new names are added. Seems like most Wiki articles refer to him as Forkbeard only; with the exception of German Wikipedia, most have not bothered with a -son name for him. See for example Danish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Norwegian, and Swedish Wikipedia. Best (and thanks so much for keeping an eye on vandalism to this article too! Your work here, as elsewhere, is much appreciated Cirii!), Pia 00:17, 17 March 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: You've got to remember it isn't a surname, but rather a patronym. So your patronym, Cirii, would be Michaelsson whether you acknowledge it or not and regardless of official usage or legal standing. As his father is called 'Harald' he IS Sveinn Haraldsson whether he used it or not. BodvarBjarki (talk) 16:14, 21 October 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Harraldsson 

message: Sweyn de Eiton who had possession of a "Town on the River Eye" in Scotland. He was a viking invader who was given the area after invading and taking control. Does anyone know if there is a relation? Sbfenian1916 22:51, 8 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Possible Descendants

message: This article was automatically assessed because at least one WikiProject had rated the article as start, and the rating on other projects was brought up to start class. BetacommandBot 09:31, 10 November 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  WikiProject class rating

message: What about a mention of this fine chappys visits to wales? Swansea is named after him afterall (but thats as much as I know..)  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.232.237.213 (talk) 20:56, 3 May 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Wales 

message: The family tree given in the article seems to have more to do with the succession to the English throne, rather than having all that much to do with Sweyn. This causes it to be cluttered with irrelevant material, and to lack important connections, such as Sweyn Estridson. If no one can justify it's retention as it is, I am going to either delete it or significantly pare it down. Agricolae (talk) 18:55, 30 May 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: OK, don't say I didn't warn you. Agricolae (talk) 03:18, 26 August 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: Debate on the inclusion of family trees and the like has taken place extensively elsewhere, notable Talk:Louis V of France. Just so you know. I certainly am happy to see another one of these things go. Srnec (talk) 18:36, 28 August 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Family Tree 

message: right|thumb
Recently the file : (right) was uploaded and it appears to be relevant to this article and not currently used by it. If you're interested and think it would be a useful addition, please feel free to include it. Dcoetzee 09:49, 30 April 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  New file [[:{{#ifexist:File:File:Sweyn drawing.jpg|File:File:Sweyn drawing.jpg|File:Sweyn drawing.jpg}}]] 

message: Names like Soren & Severin has articles just for the first given name, why not Svein / Sveinn as well? 4.242.174.159 (talk) 20:53, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Because nobody's written one yet. Feel free to turn the redirect into a name article. Dcoetzee 23:54, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Actually it is the same as Sven (at least according to that article), so I am redirecting it there instead. --Saddhiyama (talk) 09:22, 29 July 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Svein redirects here, why not a name article? 

message: This claim is unsourced; since Edmund Ironside was still in England, it seems doubtful. How active opposition to a major army was likely to be in mid-winter is an entirely different question. Septentrionalis PMAnderson 16:38, 9 July 2011 (UTC)
thread_title: Unopposed King of England?

message: This invisible text was left in the article:
:< ! - - Swyen Forkbeard is the founder of the town Swansea, in Wales. Swansea is a corruption of Sweyn's Ey, which means "Sweyn's Island". Why exactly he settled in modern day Swansea is unknown, but it is generally accepted that the Vikings and Celtic nations were allies against the Anglo-Saxons. NOTE: Making this invisible until we locate a source - - - >
Leaving aside the typos, remember to leave the text here outside of the main body of the article. First, it's not cluttering it; second and more important, other editors can help look for a cite for you. — LlywelynII 04:51, 18 August 2011 (UTC)
thread_title: Swansea

message: His mother's identity should be better explained. I have seen a lot of sources that said Tove was his mother.--The Emperor's New Spy (talk) 13:22, 27 November 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: Are these sources reliable academic ones? Online DNB on Sweyn says that his mother's name is unknown. Dudley Miles (talk) 14:03, 27 November 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: What is DNB? --The Emperor's New Spy (talk) 21:20, 27 November 2012 (UTC)

text: It's this http://runeberg.org/dbl/17/0003.html, some sort of Danish historical encyclopedia. Basically, it says his mother is Gunhild who may have been also the same person as Tove. Den Store Danske just says Gunhild. This goes back to the identities of Harald Bluetooth's wives (did he have three wives?); see Talk:Harald Bluetooth#Mash up of Gunhild and Gyrid?. Even the identities of Sweyn's wives and his children's mother are disputed. --The Emperor's New Spy (talk) 21:19, 27 November 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: DNB is the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. It is published by the Oxford University Press and the articles are written by leading academic historians. The one on Sweyn is at . If you are a member of a UK public library, you can access it by the number of your library card. It is far more authorative than an encyclopedia of unknown provenance. Dudley Miles (talk) 21:39, 27 November 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: The two sources I listed are Dansk biografisk leksikon and Den Store Danske Encyklopædi, which are as reliable as the Oxford Dictionary and actually written by Danish historians. The people writing the Oxford dictionary probably stumbled upon the complexities and disputes on the identities of Sweyn's mother and Harald Bluetooth's wives and just decided to take the easy way out and said she was unknown. --The Emperor's New Spy (talk) 21:47, 27 November 2012 (UTC)

text: Unclear maybe, not unknown. Just because a book is written now (don't know the date for your source) doesn't give it anymore credibility other older sources; other factors have to be taken into account. The Oxford dictionary could just be recycling older English sources on the subject while the two encyclopedias have the Danish perspectives. Also in general, I would trust Danish history coming from the Danes themselves more than one coming from an English source. I think the discrepancies and confusions should be stated in the article and not simply removing his mother's name and saying it was unknown or stating one over the other. Also what sources state Gyrid was his mother because that seems to be the weakest possibility here out of his father's three named wives?--The Emperor's New Spy (talk) 00:21, 28 November 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: The second edition of the Dansk Biografisk Leksikon from 1931-34 can be browsed here (the third edition from the 1980s has been incoorporated in the abovementioned national encyclopedia Den Store Danske). Second edition DBL says "son of Harald Bluetooth and perhaps Queen Gunhild", thir edition (in Den Store Danske) says "son of Harald the first Bluetooth and Tove from the Western Venden". I have no special knowledge of Danish Viking Age and Medieval history, so unfortunately can't provide any qualified judgements on which claim is true. It is quite clear however from these sources that the question of his mother has been disputed amongst Danish historians during the 20th century (the various editions of Dansk Biografisk Leksikon were written by the most prominent specialists in their respective fields). --Saddhiyama (talk) 00:50, 28 November 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: I think the article on Harald is the place for a discussion of his wives, but the one on Sweyn could perhaps have "mother Tove?" as I seem to remember the Danish Wikipedia on Sweyn does. Dudley Miles (talk) 17:59, 28 November 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: A discussion on Harald's wives is a discussion of who was Sweyn's mother since both cases as confusing on who was who; the same goes for Sweyn's wives and the mother of his children.--The Emperor's New Spy (talk) 12:23, 6 December 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  Mother 

message: Iam Dont Know Sauidward (talk) 14:44, 5 July 2020 (UTC)
thread_title:  What Religion Is Sweyn Forkbeard 

message: I can't see the page of the book saying that Sweyn's father was actually Knut and not Harald. Can someone verify? There are lots of other pages in the book that I can see and they all describe Sweyn as the son of Harald. Celia Homeford (talk) 16:16, 4 March 2022 (UTC)
replies: text: I tried to verify this too, but did not get anywhere. Surtsicna (talk) 17:27, 4 March 2022 (UTC)
replies: text: See also User talk:Dudley Miles#Sweyn Forkbeard. Dudley Miles (talk) 22:10, 4 March 2022 (UTC)
thread_title:  Father 

message: The redirect Cultural depictions of Sweyn Forkbeard has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at  until a consensus is reached.  Presidentman talk · contribs (Talkback) 20:50, 13 February 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  "[[:Cultural depictions of Sweyn Forkbeard]]" listed at [[Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion|Redirects for discussion]]