Eric Bloodaxe

Eric I (Norw. Eirik I) (b. ca 885 - d. 954), nicknamed "Bloodaxe" (Blodøks), was the second king of Norway (931-933) and the eldest son of his father King Harald Finehair. Once the power was in his hands, he started executing his other 18 brothers, except for one, the future Haakon I. A Latin text describes him as fratris interfector (brother-slayer), and it is entirely conceivable the "blood" component of his soubriquet refers to his propensity for fratricide.

Haakon fled to England and won support from the Norwegian nobles to oust Eric in 933; Eric's rule was hard and despotic, and this would account for the alacrity with which the nobles joined forces to oust him. After waging unsuccessful campaigns to regain the throne, Eric moved to the Orkney Islands and later to the Kingdom of Jorvik. Although met initially warmly by Athelstan, who made Eric ruler in Northumbria, with a brief to provide a defence against the ravages of the Scots, and the Irish. His rule in Northumbria soon degenerated, however, and he was killed in battle at Stainmore, Westmorland, in 954.

Preceded by: Harald I

King of Norway

Succeeded by: Haakon I