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Gorm the Old

January 06, 2023

"Gorm of Denmark" redirects here. For the 20th-century prince, see Prince Gorm of Denmark.

Gorm the Old (Danish: Gorm den Gamle; Old Norse: Gormr gamli; Latin: Gormus Senex[1][2]), also called Gorm the Languid (Danish: Gorm Løge, Gorm den Dvaske), was ruler of Denmark, reigning from c.  936 to his death c.  958[3] or a few years later.[4][5] He ruled from Jelling, and made the oldest of the Jelling Stones in honour of his wife Thyra. Gorm was born before 900 and died perhaps around 958[3] or possibly 963[4] or 964.[5]

Gorm the Old
Gorm learns of the death of his son Canute, painting by August Carl Vilhelm Thomsen
King of Denmark
Reignc.  936 – 958/963/964
PredecessorHarthacnut (Canute I) (semi-legendary)
or Gnupa
SuccessorHarald I
Bornbefore 900
Died958/963/964
SpouseThyra
Issue
Detail
HouseHouse of Gorm
FatherHarthacnut I of Denmark (semi-legendary)
MotherUnknown
ReligionNorse paganism

Ancestry and reign

Gorm is the reported son of semi-legendary Danish king Harthacnut. Chronicler Adam of Bremen says that Harthacnut came from Northmannia to Denmark and seized power in the early 10th century.[6] He deposed the young king Sigtrygg Gnupasson, reigning over Western Denmark.[3] When Harthacnut died, Gorm ascended the throne.

Heimskringla reports Gorm taking at least part of the kingdom by force from Gnupa, and Adam himself suggests that the kingdom had been divided prior to Gorm's time. Gorm is first mentioned as the host of Archbishop Unni of Hamburg and Bremen in 936.[6] According to the Jelling Stones, Gorm's son, Harald Bluetooth, "won all of Denmark", so it is speculated that Gorm only ruled Jutland from his seat in Jelling.[6]

Marriage to Thyra

Gorm married Thyra, who is given conflicting and chronologically dubious parentage by late sources, but no contemporary indication of her parentage survives. Gorm raised one of the great burial mounds at Jelling as well as the oldest of the Jelling Stones for her, calling her tanmarkar but ("Denmark's Salvation" or "Denmark's Adornment"). Gorm was the father of three sons, Toke, Knut and Harald, later King Harald Bluetooth.[7]

His wife, Thyra, is credited with the completion of the Danevirke, a wall between Denmark's southern border and its unfriendly Saxon neighbors to the south. The wall was not new, but it was expanded with a ditch and earthen foundation topped by a timber stockade above it. The Danevirke ran between the Schlei and the Treene river, across what is now Schleswig.[8]

Death, burial and reburial

One theory is that Gorm died in the winter of 958–959,[7] this is based on dendrochronology that shows that the burial chamber in the northern burial mound in Jelling was made from wood felled in 958.[9] Arild Huitfeldt relates one legend of his death in Danmarks Riges Krønike:[8]

 
Runic stone for Thyra, front side

The three sons were Vikings in the truest sense, departing Denmark each summer to raid and pillage. Harald came back to the royal enclosure at Jelling with the news that his brother Canute had been killed in an attempt to capture Dublin, Ireland. Canute was shot with a coward's arrow while watching some games at night. No one would tell the king in view of the oath the king had made. Queen Thyra ordered the royal hall hung with black cloth and that no one was to say a single word. When Gorm entered the hall, he was astonished and asked what the mourning colors meant. Queen Thyra spoke up: "Lord King, you had two falcons, one white and the other gray. The white one flew far afield and was set upon by other birds which tore off its beautiful feathers and is now useless to you. Meanwhile, the gray falcon continues to catch fowl for the king's table." Gorm understood immediately the Queen's metaphor and cried out, "My son is surely dead, since all of Denmark mourns!" "You have said it, your majesty," Thyra announced, "Not I, but what you have said is true." According to the story Gorm was so grieved by Canute's death that he died the following day.

This account would contradict information on the Jelling Stones which point to Queen Thyra dying before Gorm. Some archaeologists and historians have suggested that Gorm was buried first in Queen Thyra's grave mound at Jelling, and later moved by his son, Harald Bluetooth, into the original wooden church in Jelling.[3] According to this theory it is believed that the skeleton found at the site of the first Christian church of Jelling is in fact Gorm the Old, though the theory is still much debated. During the reign of Gorm, most Danes still worshipped the Norse gods, but during the reign of Gorm's son, Harald Bluetooth, Denmark officially converted to Christianity. Harald, accordingly, left the hill where Gorm had originally been interred as a memorial.

Legacy

Gorm was "old" in the sense that he was considered the traditional ancestral "head" of the Danish monarchy. Saxo Grammaticus in the Gesta Danorum asserts that Gorm was older than other monarchs and, having lived so long, was blind by the time his son Canute was killed.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ Zoega, G. (1797). De origine et usu obeliscorum (in Latin). Typis Lazzarinii Typographi Cameralis. p. 338. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  2. ^ Torfaeus, T. (1711). Thormodi Torfæi ... Historia rerum Noruegicarum in quatuor tomos diuisa. In qua, præter Noruegiæ descriptionem, primordia gentis, instituta, mores, incrementa; ... & inprimis heroum ac regum, tam ante qvàm post monarchiam institutam, successiones, eorumque domi juxta ac foris gesta, cumque vicinis gentibus commercia; genealogia item, chronologia, & qvæcunque ad regni Norvegici illustrationem spectant, singula ex archivis regiis, & optimis, qvæ haberi potuerunt, membranis, aliisque fide dignissimis authoribus, eruta, luci publicæ exponuntur. Cum prolegomenis & indicibus necessariis: Thormodi Torfæi Historiae rerum Noruegicarum pars tertia, continens ea quæ à tempore introductæ in Noruegiam christianæ religionis ad initium usque regni Suerreris acta sunt. Thormodi Torfæi ... Historia rerum Noruegicarum in quatuor tomos diuisa. In qua, præter Noruegiæ descriptionem, primordia gentis, instituta, mores, incrementa; ... & inprimis heroum ac regum, tam ante qvàm post monarchiam institutam, successiones, eorumque domi juxta ac foris gesta, cumque vicinis gentibus commercia; genealogia item, chronologia, & qvæcunque ad regni Norvegici illustrationem spectant, singula ex archivis regiis, & optimis, qvæ haberi potuerunt, membranis, aliisque fide dignissimis authoribus, eruta, luci publicæ exponuntur. Cum prolegomenis & indicibus necessariis: Thormodi Torfæi Historiae rerum Noruegicarum pars tertia, continens ea quæ à tempore introductæ in Noruegiam christianæ religionis ad initium usque regni Suerreris acta sunt (in Latin). ex typographeo Joachimi Schmitgenii. p. 557. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d . The Danish Monarchy. 6 July 2015. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  4. ^ a b Lund, N. (2020), p. 147
  5. ^ a b Pilemedia: "Om slaget vid Fyrisvallarna" (in Swedish), 25 October 2020
  6. ^ a b c "Gorm den Gamle – Gyldendal". Den Store Danske (in Danish). Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Gorm den Gamle og Dronning Thyra". Danmarks Konger (in Danish). Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  8. ^ a b Huitfeldt, A. (1977). Danmarks Riges Krønike: Fra Erik Menved til Valdemar Atterdag. Chronologia 2 (in Danish). Rosenkilde og Bagger. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  9. ^ Sawyer, B.; Sawyer, P.H. (1993). Medieval Scandinavia: From Conversion to Reformation, Circa 800–1500. The Nordic series. University of Minnesota Press. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-8166-1739-5. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  10. ^ Grammaticus, S.; Grundtvig, N.F.S. (1855). Danmarks Krønike af Saxe Runemester (in Danish). Iversen. p. 419. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

Further reading

Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Denmark
c.  936 – 958/964 		Succeeded by

January 06, 2023
gorm, gorm, denmark, redirects, here, 20th, century, prince, prince, gorm, denmark, danish, gorm, gamle, norse, gormr, gamli, latin, gormus, senex, also, called, gorm, languid, danish, gorm, løge, gorm, dvaske, ruler, denmark, reigning, from, death, years, lat. Gorm of Denmark redirects here For the 20th century prince see Prince Gorm of Denmark Gorm the Old Danish Gorm den Gamle Old Norse Gormr gamli Latin Gormus Senex 1 2 also called Gorm the Languid Danish Gorm Loge Gorm den Dvaske was ruler of Denmark reigning from c 936 to his death c 958 3 or a few years later 4 5 He ruled from Jelling and made the oldest of the Jelling Stones in honour of his wife Thyra Gorm was born before 900 and died perhaps around 958 3 or possibly 963 4 or 964 5 Gorm the OldGorm learns of the death of his son Canute painting by August Carl Vilhelm ThomsenKing of DenmarkReignc 936 958 963 964PredecessorHarthacnut Canute I semi legendary or GnupaSuccessorHarald IBornbefore 900Died958 963 964SpouseThyraIssueDetailHarald BluetoothKnut DanaastGunnhild Mother of KingsStrut HaraldToke GormssonHouseHouse of GormFatherHarthacnut I of Denmark semi legendary MotherUnknownReligionNorse paganism Contents 1 Ancestry and reign 2 Marriage to Thyra 3 Death burial and reburial 4 Legacy 5 See also 6 References 7 Further readingAncestry and reign EditGorm is the reported son of semi legendary Danish king Harthacnut Chronicler Adam of Bremen says that Harthacnut came from Northmannia to Denmark and seized power in the early 10th century 6 He deposed the young king Sigtrygg Gnupasson reigning over Western Denmark 3 When Harthacnut died Gorm ascended the throne Heimskringla reports Gorm taking at least part of the kingdom by force from Gnupa and Adam himself suggests that the kingdom had been divided prior to Gorm s time Gorm is first mentioned as the host of Archbishop Unni of Hamburg and Bremen in 936 6 According to the Jelling Stones Gorm s son Harald Bluetooth won all of Denmark so it is speculated that Gorm only ruled Jutland from his seat in Jelling 6 Marriage to Thyra EditGorm married Thyra who is given conflicting and chronologically dubious parentage by late sources but no contemporary indication of her parentage survives Gorm raised one of the great burial mounds at Jelling as well as the oldest of the Jelling Stones for her calling her tanmarkar but Denmark s Salvation or Denmark s Adornment Gorm was the father of three sons Toke Knut and Harald later King Harald Bluetooth 7 His wife Thyra is credited with the completion of the Danevirke a wall between Denmark s southern border and its unfriendly Saxon neighbors to the south The wall was not new but it was expanded with a ditch and earthen foundation topped by a timber stockade above it The Danevirke ran between the Schlei and the Treene river across what is now Schleswig 8 Death burial and reburial EditOne theory is that Gorm died in the winter of 958 959 7 this is based on dendrochronology that shows that the burial chamber in the northern burial mound in Jelling was made from wood felled in 958 9 Arild Huitfeldt relates one legend of his death in Danmarks Riges Kronike 8 Runic stone for Thyra front side The three sons were Vikings in the truest sense departing Denmark each summer to raid and pillage Harald came back to the royal enclosure at Jelling with the news that his brother Canute had been killed in an attempt to capture Dublin Ireland Canute was shot with a coward s arrow while watching some games at night No one would tell the king in view of the oath the king had made Queen Thyra ordered the royal hall hung with black cloth and that no one was to say a single word When Gorm entered the hall he was astonished and asked what the mourning colors meant Queen Thyra spoke up Lord King you had two falcons one white and the other gray The white one flew far afield and was set upon by other birds which tore off its beautiful feathers and is now useless to you Meanwhile the gray falcon continues to catch fowl for the king s table Gorm understood immediately the Queen s metaphor and cried out My son is surely dead since all of Denmark mourns You have said it your majesty Thyra announced Not I but what you have said is true According to the story Gorm was so grieved by Canute s death that he died the following day This account would contradict information on the Jelling Stones which point to Queen Thyra dying before Gorm Some archaeologists and historians have suggested that Gorm was buried first in Queen Thyra s grave mound at Jelling and later moved by his son Harald Bluetooth into the original wooden church in Jelling 3 According to this theory it is believed that the skeleton found at the site of the first Christian church of Jelling is in fact Gorm the Old though the theory is still much debated During the reign of Gorm most Danes still worshipped the Norse gods but during the reign of Gorm s son Harald Bluetooth Denmark officially converted to Christianity Harald accordingly left the hill where Gorm had originally been interred as a memorial Legacy EditGorm was old in the sense that he was considered the traditional ancestral head of the Danish monarchy Saxo Grammaticus in the Gesta Danorum asserts that Gorm was older than other monarchs and having lived so long was blind by the time his son Canute was killed 10 See also EditGorm s CupReferences Edit Zoega G 1797 De origine et usu obeliscorum in Latin Typis Lazzarinii Typographi Cameralis p 338 Retrieved 6 July 2018 Torfaeus T 1711 Thormodi Torfaei Historia rerum Noruegicarum in quatuor tomos diuisa In qua praeter Noruegiae descriptionem primordia gentis instituta mores incrementa amp inprimis heroum ac regum tam ante qvam post monarchiam institutam successiones eorumque domi juxta ac foris gesta cumque vicinis gentibus commercia genealogia item chronologia amp qvaecunque ad regni Norvegici illustrationem spectant singula ex archivis regiis amp optimis qvae haberi potuerunt membranis aliisque fide dignissimis authoribus eruta luci publicae exponuntur Cum prolegomenis amp indicibus necessariis Thormodi Torfaei Historiae rerum Noruegicarum pars tertia continens ea quae a tempore introductae in Noruegiam christianae religionis ad initium usque regni Suerreris acta sunt Thormodi Torfaei Historia rerum Noruegicarum in quatuor tomos diuisa In qua praeter Noruegiae descriptionem primordia gentis instituta mores incrementa amp inprimis heroum ac regum tam ante qvam post monarchiam institutam successiones eorumque domi juxta ac foris gesta cumque vicinis gentibus commercia genealogia item chronologia amp qvaecunque ad regni Norvegici illustrationem spectant singula ex archivis regiis amp optimis qvae haberi potuerunt membranis aliisque fide dignissimis authoribus eruta luci publicae exponuntur Cum prolegomenis amp indicibus necessariis Thormodi Torfaei Historiae rerum Noruegicarum pars tertia continens ea quae a tempore introductae in Noruegiam christianae religionis ad initium usque regni Suerreris acta sunt in Latin ex typographeo Joachimi Schmitgenii p 557 Retrieved 6 July 2018 a b c d The Royal Lineage The Danish Monarchy 6 July 2015 Archived from the original on 6 July 2015 Retrieved 6 July 2018 a b Lund N 2020 p 147 a b Pilemedia Om slaget vid Fyrisvallarna in Swedish 25 October 2020 a b c Gorm den Gamle Gyldendal Den Store Danske in Danish Retrieved 6 July 2018 a b Gorm den Gamle og Dronning Thyra Danmarks Konger in Danish Retrieved 6 July 2018 a b Huitfeldt A 1977 Danmarks Riges Kronike Fra Erik Menved til Valdemar Atterdag Chronologia 2 in Danish Rosenkilde og Bagger Retrieved 6 July 2018 Sawyer B Sawyer P H 1993 Medieval Scandinavia From Conversion to Reformation Circa 800 1500 The Nordic series University of Minnesota Press p 6 ISBN 978 0 8166 1739 5 Retrieved 6 July 2018 Grammaticus S Grundtvig N F S 1855 Danmarks Kronike af Saxe Runemester in Danish Iversen p 419 Retrieved 6 July 2018 Further reading EditBirkebaek Frank 2003 Vikingetiden i Danmark Viborg Sesam ISBN 87 11 13718 5 Hybel Nils 2003 Danmark i Europa 750 1300 Kobenhavn Museum Tusculanums forlag ISBN 87 7289 882 8 Johannessen Kare 2001 Politikens bog om Danmarks vikingetid Politikens handboger Kobenhavn Politikens forlag ISBN 87 567 6456 1 Lund Niels 2020 Jellingkongerne og deres forgaengere Gylling Vikingeskibsmuseet i Roskilde ISBN 978 87 85180 75 9 Sawyer P H 1999 The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings Oxford Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 285365 1 Thiedecke Arendse and Thiedecke Johnny 2003 De danske vikinger samfund kongemagt og togter ca 700 1050 Valby Pantheon ISBN 87 90108 21 3Regnal titlesPreceded byHarthacnut I King of Denmarkc 936 958 964 Succeeded byHarald Bluetooth Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gorm the Old amp oldid 1131356461, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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