Medieval chroniclers, such as Saxo Grammaticus, and myths portrayed Eric II of Denmark as a “strapping fellow” appealing to the common people.

He can keep his place when four men try their best to move him.

Eric is a good speaker, and people go out of their way to hear him.

After a ting assembly concludes, he goes about the neighborhood greeting men, women and children at their homesteads.

He has a reputation as a loud man who likes parties and who leads a rather dissolute private life.

Though a presumed supporter of a strong centralized royal power, he seems to have behaved like a diplomat avoiding any clash with the magnates.

He has a reputation for being ruthless to robbers and pirates.

On a visit to the Pope in Rome he obtains canonization for his late brother, Canute IV, and an archbishopric for Denmark (now Lund in Scania), instead of being under the Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen.

Bishop Asser in 1104 will become the first Archbishop of Lund.

King Eric announces at the Viborg assembly that he has decided to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

The cause, according to Danmarks Riges Krønike, is the murder of four of his own men while drunk at a feast in his own hall.

Despite the pleadings of his subjects, he will not be deterred.

Eric appoints his son, Harald Kesja, and Bishop Asser as regents.

Lund, along with Sigtuna, is the oldest city in present-day Sweden.

Until the 1980s, the town was thought to have been founded around 1020 by either Sweyn I Forkbeard or his son Canute the Great of Denmark, the kingdom of which the area was then a part, bu recent archaeological discoveries suggest that the first settlement dated to circa 990, possibly the relocation of settlers at Uppåkra, when Scania belonged to Denmark.

The Uppåkra settlement dates back to the first century BCE and its remains are at the present site of the village of Uppåkra.

King Sweyn I Forkbeard had moved Lund to its present location, a distance of some five kilometers (three point one miles).

The new location of Lund, on a hill and across a ford, gives the new site considerable defensive advantages in comparison with Uppåkra, situated on the highest point of a large plain.

Lund had soon become a major Christian center of the Baltic Sea region, at a time when the area is still a frontier area for Christian mission, and within Scandinavia and especially Denmark through the Middle Ages.

King Eric I of Denmark had gone to Rome on a pilgrimage and secured two important concessions from Pope Pascal II: sainthood for his murdered brother, Saint Canute IV and the creation of an archdiocese that includes all of Scandinavia.

Lund was named as the headquarters.

The city had been made a see in 1048 and united with Dalby in 1060, and in 1103 becomes the seat of the archbishop for Scandinavia.

The diocese of nearby Dalby had been absorbed in 1066.

Lund Cathedral is similarly founded in or shortly after 1103.

Harald Kresja has acted as regent for his father in 1103-1104 while he was on pilgrimage to Jerusalem alongside Archbishop Asser of Lund.

As regent, he is courageous but violent, cruel and debauched.

Harald plunders far and wide from his stronghold Haraldsborg at Roskilde.

This behavior greatly contributes to the reasons that he had not been elected king after news of his father’s death on crusade in 1103 reached Denmark.

Instead, his uncle Niels, a son of King Sweyn II Estridson and a concubine, is in 1104 elected king.

Margaret Fredkulla had been married to King Magnus of Norway in 1101 as a part of the peace treaty between Sweden and Norway.

Often referred to as Margaret Fredkulla (Margaret the Maiden of Peace), she had brought with her large fiefs and areas in Sweden as her dowry, probably in Västergötland.

Made a widow in 1103 after two years of childless marriage, she had soon left Norway.

Her departure is seen as an insult by the Norwegians, who had expected her to stay, and she is accused of having stolen the holy relics of Saint Olav.

In 1105, she marries King Niels of Denmark, described as a passive monarch who lacks the capacity to rule and who leaves the affairs of the state to his queen.

With his blessing, Margaret becomes the de facto Queen regnant of Denmark.

She is described as a wise ruler, and the relationship between Denmark and her birth country Sweden will be very peaceful during her time as queen.

Northeast Europe (1132–1143 CE): Internal Struggles and Expansion of Christian Influence

Introduction

From 1132 to 1143 CE, Northeast Europe experienced significant internal political strife, further expansion of Christian missionary influence, and incremental urban growth. The period was marked by heightened dynastic rivalry, notably within Denmark and Sweden, alongside growing interactions—often conflictual—with neighboring Baltic populations.

Dynastic Struggles and Monarchical Consolidation

In Denmark, King Niels faced escalating internal opposition from rival claimants to the throne, particularly from his nephew, Erik Emune. The rivalry culminated in a destructive civil conflict, weakening central authority and contributing to internal instability that persisted throughout the era.

In Sweden, dynastic disputes intensified between the Sverker and Erik families. King Sverker I (ascended ca. 1130) sought to strengthen royal authority amid considerable internal tensions. His reign was characterized by efforts to unify disparate territories, thus laying foundations for subsequent stable rule.

Early Baltic Crusades and Christianization Efforts

Danish and Swedish missionary efforts intensified along the Baltic coasts during this period, serving as precursors to the later, full-scale crusades of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. These missions primarily targeted pagan populations, notably in areas that would become Estonia and Finland. Initial contacts, though often hostile, gradually increased Scandinavian presence and cultural influence along Baltic shores.

Urban and Economic Development

The era witnessed further growth of emerging urban centers. Visby on Gotland continued to solidify its status as a pivotal Baltic trade hub, facilitating commerce between Scandinavia, the Baltic peoples, and the broader European continent. Similarly, towns such as Roskilde and early iterations of Stockholm and Lund saw modest but steady development, influenced by expanding regional trade networks and local artisan guilds.

Resistance and Fortification among the Baltic Tribes

Baltic tribes intensified defensive efforts against expanding Scandinavian incursions. Ancestors of the Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians fortified settlements and increasingly organized resistance. Early Scandinavian attempts to penetrate these regions, though limited in scope, fostered a tradition of fierce resistance among local populations, laying the groundwork for more structured resistance in subsequent decades.

Ecclesiastical Expansion and Cultural Influence

The growth of ecclesiastical institutions continued, particularly through monastic foundations such as Benedictine and early Cistercian monasteries. These institutions played central roles in local education, Latin literacy, and ecclesiastical governance. Christianity gradually permeated deeper into social life, influencing legal practices, cultural norms, and regional governance.

Legacy of the Era

The era from 1132 to 1143 CE significantly shaped Northeast Europe's future through intensified dynastic conflicts, preliminary missionary activities, and growing urban centers. It marked the gradual extension of Christian influence and set foundational precedents for intensified regional interactions, conflicts, and crusading efforts that would decisively shape the historical trajectory of the Baltic and Scandinavian lands.

Northwest Europe (1132–1143 CE): Succession Conflicts and Consolidation

England: Prelude to Anarchy

Following King Henry I’s death in 1135, England descended rapidly into political chaos. Despite the prior acknowledgment of Matilda as heir, Henry’s nephew, Stephen of Blois, swiftly seized the throne, supported by many English barons and bishops wary of female rulership. Stephen's ascension ignited a prolonged civil conflict known as The Anarchy (1135–1153), also called The Nineteen Year Winter, a period marked by weakened royal authority, widespread warfare, and fortified castles controlled by rival nobles. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle famously described this era as the time during which "Christ and his saints slept."

Scotland: Strengthening Monarchy and Feudal Structures

Under the continued rule of David I (r. 1124–1153), Scotland experienced further institutional reforms. David’s reign advanced feudalism and administrative centralization, notably through the expansion of sheriffdoms and royal burghs, enhancing trade and urban growth. His political influence extended into Northern England, leveraging the instability caused by the English civil war. David's support for Matilda and subsequent invasions into Northern England significantly shaped cross-border relations during this tumultuous period.

Ireland: Continued Fragmentation and Emerging Influence

Ireland remained politically divided, but the influence of Norman practices began permeating through trade and occasional political alliances. The Norse-Gaelic urban centers—Dublin, Limerick, and Waterford—continued thriving as pivotal points for commerce, cultural interchange, and intermittent military conflict. Despite their economic strength, internal divisions among Irish kingdoms persisted, hindering unified governance.

Denmark: Succession Crisis and Civil War

Denmark plunged into crisis following the death of King Niels (r. 1104–1134), who was killed in 1134 during a civil war against his nephew, Eric II Emune. Eric II ascended to the throne but faced continual internal strife until his assassination in 1137. These upheavals plunged Denmark into instability, marked by frequent battles for royal power and fragmented aristocratic loyalties.

Norway: Escalating Civil Strife

The civil wars initiated by the death of Sigurd I Jorsalfar intensified throughout this era. Norway experienced frequent and violent conflicts between rival claimants and their supporters. The Battle of Holmengrå (1139), fought between the factions of Harald Gille and Magnus IV, typified the period’s instability, with constant shifts in power and the further weakening of centralized authority.

Iceland and the North Atlantic: Cultural Resilience

Iceland continued to maintain political stability through the Althing, preserving traditional governance despite increasing European influences. Icelandic literature, notably sagas and skaldic poetry, thrived during this period, documenting the region's rich history and cultural identity. The North Atlantic settlements remained vibrant yet isolated, largely insulated from the continental conflicts.

Religious Expansion and Cultural Exchange

Throughout Northwest Europe, monastic orders such as the Cistercians expanded significantly, establishing influential abbeys that reinforced ecclesiastical authority and cultural exchange. Scotland, under David I, witnessed extensive monastic foundation-building, reinforcing its integration into broader European religious networks.

Legacy of the Era

By 1143 CE, Northwest Europe had become deeply embroiled in succession-driven conflicts, notably England's protracted Anarchy, Denmark’s internal discord, and Norway’s persistent civil warfare. Contrastingly, Scotland continued its path toward centralization and institutional reform under David I, while Ireland maintained fragmented but economically vibrant regional kingdoms. Iceland and its North Atlantic counterparts preserved their distinctive cultural continuity, highlighting the complex dynamics and enduring resilience characteristic of this transformative period.

Eric, born around 1090 to king Eric I of Denmark and an unknown concubine, had been given some Danish isles by his half-brother Canute Lavard, and was jarl of Møn, Lolland, and Falster.

When Lavard was murdered in 1131, Eric had joined his half-brother Harald Kesja in a rebellion against the responsible king Niels of Denmark.

Eric had been elected Danish Antiking in Scania in April 1131, prompting Kesja to support Niels in jealousy.

Eric's army had lost several battles against Niels and his son Magnus the Strong, including Jelling in Jutland in 1131 and Værbro on Zealand, and he had fled to Scania.

His retreat had earned him the nickname Harefoot.

Eric had unsuccessfully tried to convince Lothair III, Holy Roman Emperor, to support his bid for kingship, and had had no luck asking Magnus IV of Norway for help.

He returns to Scania in 1134, where Archbishop Asser of Lund joins his cause, and Lothair eventually supports him as well.

Magnus, Margaret Fredulka’s son by King Niels of Denmark, had in 1125 claimed the Swedish throne as the eldest grandson of Inge the Elder at the death of Margaret's first cousin King Inge the Younger.

Magnus had been recognized by the Geats (Göterna) of Gothenland, but according to the Westrogothic law, had to be accepted also by the Swea, another tribe to the north of the Geats.

The Swea, however, had selected Ragnvald Knaphövde.

According to Saxo Grammaticus, Ragnvald had shown disrespect towards the Geats by not taking a Geat hostage.

As retaliation, Ragnvald had been murdered by Magnus's supporters not long after.

Magnus in around 1127 had married Richeza, daughter of Boleslaw III of Poland.

Magnus had in 1130 backed Boleslaw III in conquering Rügen.

The Polish forces, together with a Danish fleet, had compelled the Rani to recognize Polish rule over the island.

Magnus is not mentioned as King in the law of Västergötland and was probably ousted from Sweden by his successor Sverker I of Sweden around 1130.

Magnus had in 1131 arranged the murder of his cousin and potential rival for the Danish throne, Canute Lavard, in order to position himself as heir presumptive to his father King Niels.

Although Magnus is eventually backed by Niels, he finds himself in a civil war against Lavard's half-brother Eric Emune.

King Niels has his strongest base of support in Jutland, and the church also supports him.

Moreover, he has secured support from the Holy Roman Empire by agreeing to subordinate the Danish Archdiocese of Lund in Scania to the German Archdiocese of Hamburg-Bremen, which had prompted Archbishop Asser of Lund to support Eric.

Eric, proclaimed king at Scania's landsting assembly at St Liber's Hill, makes Lund his capital city.

With the resounding victory at Fotevik, Eric is given the nickname the Memorable to replace Harefoot.

Ingrid Ragnvaldsdotter, born between 1100 and 1110, is the daughter of Ragnvald Ingesson, the only known son and heir of King Inge I of Sweden.

Ragnvald died early, however, and never succeeded as king.

History has not recorded either the name nor background of Ingrid's mother.

Ingrid had first married Henry Skadelaar (Henrik Svendsen Skadelår), son of Svend Svendsen of Denmark, who was one of the bastard sons of King Sweyn II of Denmark.

Svend Svendsen was an unsuccessful pursuer to the throne, who died when he was at a point of being elected as king.

Henry Skadelaar is crippled and not considered a candidate for kingship.

He is instead a frequent schemer and plotter, generating a number of enemies.

Three sons of Henry and Ingrid are recorded, including King Magnus II of Sweden.

Ingrid is known to have intrigued for Magnus to obtain the Swedish throne, in Ingrid's opinion her late father's rightful inheritance.

She reportedly suggested that her son Magnus employ the man who would kill Sverker I of Sweden.

Henry Skadelaar dies on June 4, 1134, at the Battle of Fotevik in the Bay of Fotevik near Vellinge in Skåne, fought between forces of King Niels of Denmark and his son Magnus Nilsson, against those of Erik Emune on June 4, 1134 at the bay of Fotevik in Skåne.

King Niels and Magnus are taken by surprise by a contingent of German mounted mercenaries.

Niels escapes, while Magnus is slain.