Eric IX of Sweden

Erik IX of Sweden , also called Erik the Saint ( den Helige ) or holy Eric , was king of Sweden of 1156 with 1160. It was killed in 1160 by a prince Danish. He is celebrated the May 18th.

Erik Jedvardsson, proclaimed king in Uppland by the Svear , remains very badly known. The Danish historian Sax Grammaticus, the best source for this time, is unaware of it undoubtedly because he regards it as a usurper. The first contemporary mention which is made by it puts back on a charter of his/her son the king Knut Eriksson.

According to certain posterior sources Erik Jedvardsson would be the cousin of Sverker Ier, the son of noble Jedvard and Cécilia, a girl of Blot Sven, which appears not very probable. Its rights to the throne more probably seem to come from its marriage with Kristina (1170 †) a girl of the prince Björn Jernsida of Denmark (1134 †) and of Katarina the girl of the king Inge {{Ier}} Old the Stenkilsson. From this union were born:

Knut Ier of Sweden,
Maguerite (+1209) wife of Sverre of Norway

Its reign is marked by the first perhaps legendary attempt at conversion of the Finnish pagan. According to the Vita Santi Erici written by the bishop Israel Erlandsen of Västeras (1328/1329 †), it would have organized a crusade in Finland during which the Henri bishop of Uppsala would have found the death killed of a blow of axe by a new convert.

It also supported the Christianisme in its country and improved the fate there of the women. He is the founder of the Dynastie of Erik.

Erik must however quickly face the opposition of the son of Sverker Ier of Sweden; Karl, which was proclaimed king by the whole of the Götaland as of 1155/1158. It moreover is attacked by the Danish applicant Magnus Henriksson. Surprised with Uppsala by this last whereas it attended the mass the day of the Rise, it is killed the May 18th 1160. Regarded as a martyr he becomes thus patron saint of Sweden: Erik den Helige . Nevertheless, the Pope of the time, Alexandre III (1159-1181), warned the Swedish people against the worship returned at Eric saint, which had been assassinated in a state of intoxication, which prohibited to regard it as a saint.

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