Anund Jacob of Sweden

Anund Jakob (Old Icelandic: "Önundr Óláfsson", Old Swedish: "Æmundær colbrænnæ", meaning "Emund coal-burner") was King of Sweden 1022-c.1050. He is believed to have been born in 25th of July c. 1008 or 1010 [Snorri Sturluson, "Heimskringla" (Olav the Holy's saga, chapter 88 and 94)] as "Jakob". When the Swedish counsel, the Thing, was to elect him the co-ruler of Sweden, the people objected to his non-Scandinavian name. They then gave him the pronomen "Anund", which they did when they found a name too difficult. (See also the later Anund Gårdske).

The "Westrogothic law" says that he was called "Kolbränna" ("Coal-burner") as he had the habit of disposing of opponents by burning them to death inside their houses.

His political agenda was to maintain the balance of power in Scandinavia. That is why he supported the Norwegian kings Olaf II and Magnus I against Denmark's king Canute during the 1020s and 1030s. At the Battle of the Helgeå, Anund and Olaf were defeated by Canute. Consequently, Canute subjugated for some time the core provinces of Sweden around lake Mälaren where he had his own coins minted in Sigtuna.

When Magnus I became king of Norway and Denmark in 1042, Anund Jakob supported him until the death of Magnús in 1047. Anund Jakob's reign has traditionally been dated 1022-c.1050, but there is a great uncertainty over the year he died. He was probably alive 1049 and his brother and successor Emund is certain to have ruled Sweden in the summer of 1060.

Two skalds are known to have served Anund Jacob: Sighvatr Þórðarson and Óttarr svarti.

The "Hervarar saga" has very little to tell about Anund:

Notes and references