Eric II of Denmark

Erik II Emune (c. 1090 – July 18, 1137) was king of Denmark between 1134 and 1137. His nickname means "the Memorable". Erik was an illegitimate son of Eric I of Denmark.

Erik was the Count of Lolland and rebelled against King Niels who was responsible for the murder of his half-brother, Canute Lavard. His army lost battles with King Niels and Count Magnus at Ribe and Hals in Jutland. After losing the battle at Værbro in Zealand, Erik fled to Norway. He convinced Archbishop Asser and Emperor Lothar to support his bid for the kingship. The emperor obliged by sending 300 mounted soldiers to help Erik defeat King Niel's army in Skåne at the Battle of Fotevik (Fodevig) (1134), thus clearing his way to the throne. He as proclaimed king at Skåne's assembly at St Liber's Hill.

Erik set about to see that his half-brother, Knud Lavard, was canonized. He established an abbey at Ringsted to document reports of miracles at Canute's grave.

Erik married Malmfrid of Kiev, the daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav of Kiev and Princess Christine of Sweden. Christine was a daughter of Inge I of Sweden and Helena, possibly originating from the Eastern Roman Empire. Malmfrid was the former wife of King Sigurd I of Norway. King Sweyn III of Denmark was Erik's illegitimate son.

In the summer of 1136 Erik undertoook a crusade against the pagan population on the Baltic island of Rűgen and its capital Arkona. He ordered his men to dig a canal between the city and the rest of the island. The canal had the effect of drying up the spring which supplied Arkona with drinking water. Arkona was forced to surrender. Just when Erik was about to claim victory, he learned that Bishop Eskild of Roskilde had raised the nobles of Zealand against him. Erik raced north to put down the rebellion which spread rapidly across Funen and Jutland.

A harsh and unpopular ruler, he died at Urnehoved Assembly (Danish:landsting) in 1137 near Ribe. King Erik was struck down by a local nobleman, Sorte Plov. According to legend, Sorte Plov asked permission to approach the king, carrying a spear in his hand with a block of wood protecting the tip. Having deemed that King Erik wore no mail underneath his tunic, Sorte Plov kicked off the protection, and drove his spear right through the king.

King Erik's nephew Erik Håkonssøn stepped forward with sword in hand, but the nobleman told him to calm down, seeing as how he - Erik - was next in line for the throne, being the only adult male in the royal family: "Put away thine mace, young Erik. A juicy piece of meat hath fallen in thine bowl!" According to legend, Sorteplov escaped with his life. [Hvitfeldt, Arild. "Danmarks Riges Krønike".]

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