List of Danish monarchs
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This is a list of Danish monarchs, that is; the kings and queens regnant of Denmark. This includes:
The Kingdom of Denmark (up to 1397)
Personal union of Denmark and Norway (1380–1397)
The Kalmar Union (1397–1536)
Union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden (1397–1523)
Union of Denmark and Norway (1523–1536)
The Kingdom of Denmark-Norway (1536–1814)
The Kingdom of Denmark (1814–present)
Iceland (since the union between Denmark and Norway in 1380; independent kingdom in a personal union with Denmark 1918–1944; a sovereign republic since 1944)
Greenland (since the union between Denmark and Norway in 1380; effective Danish control began in 1721; integrated into the Danish realm in 1953; internal home rule introduced 1979; self-determination assumed in 2009; Greenland has two out of 179 seats in the Danish parliament Folketinget)
Faroe Islands (since the union between Denmark and Norway in 1380; County of Denmark 1816–1948; internal home rule introduced 1948; The Faroe Islands have two out of 179 seats in the Danish parliament Folketinget)
The House of Oldenburg held the Danish Crown between 1448 and 1863, when it passed to the house of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, a cadet branch of the same house, patrilineally descended from King Christian III of Denmark. The kingdom had been elective (although the eldest son or brother of the previous king was usually elected) until 1660, when it became hereditary and absolutist. Until 1864 Denmark was also united in a personal union with the duchies of Holstein and Saxe-Lauenburg (1814–1864), and in a political and personal union with the Duchy of Schleswig.
1 Pre House of Knýtlinga Danish monarchs
1.1 Semi-legendary kings
2 List of monarchs of Denmark
2.1 House of Gorm (c. 936–1042)
2.2 House of Fairhair (1042–1047)
2.3 House of Estridsen (1047–1375)
2.4 House of Bjelbo (1376–1387)
2.6 House of Pomerania (1397–1439)
2.7 House of Palatinate-Neumarkt (1440–1448)
2.8 House of Oldenburg (1448–1863)
2.9 House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (since 1863)
3 Timeline of Danish monarchs
Pre House of Knýtlinga Danish monarchs[edit]
See also: List of legendary kings of Denmark
The Sigtrygg Runestones of the "House of Olaf": was raised after king Sigtrygg by his mother. 934 AD.
King Cnut I (Harthacnut). 17th century engraving.
The exact date of origin of the Kingdom of Denmark is not established, but names of Danish kings begins to emerge in foreign sources from the 8th century and onwards. Danish and Nordic legendary stories, chronicles and sagas often have accounts of Danish kings and dynasties stretching further back in time than the 7th century, but the historicity of the content and interpretations of these stories are often put to doubt.
Chochilaicus—see Hugleik and Hygelac—c. 515 AD, mentioned by Gregory of Tours (538–594).[1][2][3] Hugleik, according to the written sources, suffered a defeat in 515 during a naval expedition to the Frankish Empire. Hugleik is the first Danish king mentioned in European sources.[4]
Ongendus (Angantyr): c. 710 Saint Willibrord wrote about when he visited the Danes, at the time ruled by Ongendus.[5]
Harald, named as former king in relating 9th-century events, perhaps model for legendary Harald Wartooth. Related to the Frisian king Redbad II who in 754 had to flee to "the land of the Danes" where King Harald reigned ("Daniae Regi Heraldi").[6]
Sigfred: 770s–790s
Gudfred: 804–810, mentioned as Danish king in the Treaty of Heiligen 811.[1] Alternate spellings: Godfred, Göttrick (German), Godric(Anglicized English), Gøtrik (Danish), Gudrød (Danish)
Hemming: 810–811/812 The Treaty of Heiligen was signed in 811 between the Danish King Hemming and Charlemagne.[1]
Sigfred, nephew of Gudfred, and Anulo (Anlaufr), grandson or nephew of Harald, fought for the throne and both were killed, perhaps model for the legendary Sigurd Hring: c. 812
Harald Klak and his brothers Ragnfrid and Hemming Halfdansson: 812–813 and again from 819/827. From 826 he and his household lived in exile with the Frankish emperor Louis the Pious, he was baptized by the bishop of Mainz in Ingelheim am Rhein. The last reference of Harald in the written sources are in the Annals of Fulda which records his execution for treason in 852.[7]
Sons of Gudfred(Godrik): 814–820s
Horik I: (814) 827–854, King of the Danes (at first ruling jointly with his unnamed brothers). The Frankish annals mention Horik on numerous occasions during the next couple of decades.[5]
Horik II: 854–860s. He is believed to have been the immediate successor of Horik I, but the annals are silent about the name of the Danish king for a few years after the disaster of 854. In 857, Horik II allowed Rorik to occupy the part of the kingdom between the sea and the Eider. Horik II was still alive in 864, when a letter was addressed to him by Pope Nicholas I.[5]
Late 9th century kings
Bagsecg: c. 860s–871
Halfdan: 871–877
Sigfred: c. 873–891 It is generally assumed that he was the immediate successor of Horik II, although that is not certain. His year of succession is unknown, but it was between 864 (when Horik II was still king) and his first appearance as king in the Frankish annals in 873. Sigifrid was baptized in 882.[5]
Gudfred: 880s
Heiligo (Halga): 890s (?), described by Adam of Bremen as the immediate predecessor of the House of Olof.
The "House of Olaf": late 9th century and early 10th century. This dynasty is described by Adam of Bremen, and members of this claimed dynasty are commemorated by the two Sigtrygg Runestones, which represent contemporary evidence that some of these kings controlled at least part of Denmark.[8]
Olof the Brash, said by Adam to have been a Swede who defeated Heiligo and took the crown.
Gyrd and Gnupa, sons and joint successors of Olof, according to Adam. Gnupa is named by Widukind of Corvey as leader of the Danes in 934, and appears on the Sigtrygg Runestones.
Sigtrygg, son of Gnupa, memorialized on the Sigtrygg Runestones, presumably dating from shortly after 934.
Semi-legendary kings[edit]
Ragnar Lodbrok, a legendary king probably in the 9th century, only appears in sagas and late histories, and these accounts are wildly inconsistent. He may be a composite character, a chimera of several historical kings and Vikings.
Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye (da: Sigurd Orm-i-øje or Snogeøje). Mentioned by late Chronicon Roskildense and Ragnarssona þáttr. Said to be king of Zealand and Scania, and son of Ragnar Lodbrok. He may be inspired by late 9th century King Sigfred (above).
Harthacnut (Hardeknud). According to the sagas he is son of Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, but some historians identify him with Adam's Hardegon, Svein's son, who invaded Denmark from Northmannia and supplanted the House of Olof. He may have ruled only part of Denmark, as Adam places the commencement of his long reign between 909 and 915, while the House of Olof was still ruling at least part of Denmark as late as 934. He was father of Gorm the Old.
List of monarchs of Denmark[edit]
House of Gorm (c. 936–1042)[edit]
Gorm the Old
(Gorm den Gamle)
by c. 936 – 958/64
Non-contemporary son of Harthacanute I Thyra
four children 958/64
Harald I Bluetooth
(Harald Blåtand)
958/64–985/6
Non-contemporary son of Gorm the Old and Thyra (1) Gunhild
(2) Tove of the Obotrites
c. 970
(3) Gyrid of Sweden 1 November 985 (or 986 or 987)
Sweyn I Forkbeard
(Svend Tveskæg)
Non-contemporary c. 960
son of Harald Bluetooth (1 & 2) Gunhild of Wenden or Sigrid the Haughty
eight or more children 3 February 1014
Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Harald II Svendsen
1014–1018(?)
Non-contemporary ?
son of Sweyn Forkbeard and Gunhild or Sigrid unknown c. 1018
(Knud den Store)
1019–1035 c. 985/95
son of Sweyn Forkbeard and Gunhild or Sigrid (1) Ælfgifu of Northampton
two children
(2) Emma of Normandy
2/31 July 1017
two children 12 November 1035
aged about 40–50
Harthacnut
(Hardeknud)
Non-contemporary c. 1020
son of Cnut the Great and Emma of Normandy never married 8 June 1042
House of Fairhair (1042–1047)[edit]
Magnus the Good
(Magnus den Gode)
1042–1047 c. 1024
illegitimate son of Olaf II of Norway and Alfhild never married 25 October 1047
House of Estridsen (1047–1375)[edit]
Sweyn II Estridsson
(Svend Estridsen)
son of jarl Ulf Torgilsson and Estrid Svendsdatter (daughter of Sweyn I Forkbeard) (1) Gyda of Sweden
(2) Gunnhildr Sveinsdóttir
c. 1050 28 April 1076
Søderup
Harald III the Soft
(Harald Hén)
Non-contemporary c. 1040
illegitimate son of Sweyn II Margareta Hasbjörnsdatter
no issue 17 April 1080
Canute IV the Holy
(Knud den Hellige)
illegitimate son of Sweyn II Adela of Flanders
three children 10 July 1086
St. Alban's Priory
Olaf I Hunger
(Oluf Hunger)
illegitimate son of Sweyn II Ingegerd of Norway
one daughter 18 August 1095
Eric I Evergood
(Erik Ejegod)
Slangerup
illegitimate son of Sweyn II Boedil Thurgotsdatter
one son 10 July 1103
illegitimate son of Sweyn II (1) Margaret Fredkulla
(2) Ulvhild Håkansdotter
no issue 25 June 1134
Eric II the Memorable
(Erik Emune)
illegitimate son of Eric I Malmfred of Kiev
no issue 18 July 1137
Urnehoved
Eric III Lamb
(Erik Lam)
(abdicated)
son of Hakon Sunnivasson and Ragnhild Eriksdatter Lutgard of Salzwedel
no issue 27 August 1146
St. Canute's Abbey
Sweyn III Grathe
(Svend Grathe)
son of Eric II Adela of Meissen
two children 23 October 1157
Grathe Heath
Canute V
(Knud 5.)
eldest son of Magnus I of Sweden and Richeza of Poland Helena of Sweden
no issue 9 August 1157
Valdemar I the Great
(Valdemar den Store)
Non-contemporary 14 January 1131
only son of Canute Lavard and Ingeborg of Kiev Sophia of Minsk
Viborg Cathedral
eight children 12 May 1182
Vordingborg Castle
Canute VI
eldest son of Valdemar I and Sophia of Minsk Gertrude of Bavaria
Lund Cathedral
no issue 12 November 1202
Valdemar II the Victorious
(Valdemar Sejr)
Non-contemporary 9 May/28 June 1170
second son of Valdemar I and Sophia of Minsk (1) Dagmar of Bohemia
one son
(2) Berengaria of Portugal
18/24 May 1214
four children 28 March 1241
Valdemar the Young
(Valdemar den Unge)
only son of Valdemar II and Dagmar of Bohemia Eleanor of Portugal
Ribe Cathedral
one child 28 November 1231
Refsnæs
Eric IV Ploughpenny
(Erik Plovpenning)
eldest son of Valdemar II and Berengaria of Portugal Jutta of Saxony
six children 9 August 1250
on the Schlei
second son of Valdemar II and Berengaria of Portugal Matilda of Holstein
Schleswig Cathedral
four children 29 June 1252
Christopher I
(Christoffer 1.)
third son of Valdemar II and Berengaria of Portugal Margaret Sambiria
five children 29 May 1259
Eric V Klipping
(Erik Klipping)
eldest son of Christopher I and Margaret Sambiria Agnes of Brandenburg
seven children 22 November 1286
Finderup
Eric VI Menved
(Erik Menved)
1286–1319 c. 1274
eldest son of Eric V and Agnes of Brandenburg Ingeborg of Sweden
Kärnan Castle
fourteen children 13 November 1319
Christopher II
(deposed) 29 September 1276
second son of Eric V and Agnes of Brandenburg Euphemia of Pomerania
Nykøbing Castle
(Erik Christoffersen)
(deposed) c. 1307
eldest son of Christopher II and Euphemia of Pomerania Elizabeth of Holstein-Rendsburg
no issue early 1332
aged c. 25
Valdemar III
(Valdemar 3.)
(deposed)
only son of Eric II, Duke of Schleswig and Adelaide of Holstein-Rendsburg Richardis of Schwerin
two sons c. 1364
(restored) 29 September 1276
Interregnum (1332–1340)
Valdemar IV Atterdag
(Valdemar Atterdag)
1340 – 1375 c. 1320
third son of Christopher II and Euphemia of Pomerania Helvig of Schleswig
Sønderborg Castle
six children 24 October 1375
Gurre Castle
House of Bjelbo (1376–1387)[edit]
Olaf II
(Oluf 2.)
Non-contemporary December 1370
Akershus Castle
only son of Haakon VI of Norway and Margaret I never married 23 August 1387
Falsterbo Castle
Margaret I
(Margrete 1.)
1376–1412 (de facto) c. 1353
Søborg Castle
youngest daughter of Valdemar IV and Helvig of Schleswig Haakon VI of Norway
one son 28 October 1412
Ship on Flensburg Fjord
House of Pomerania (1397–1439)[edit]
Eric VII
(Erik af Pommern)
c. 1381/82
Rügenwalde Castle (Poland)
only son of Polish Duke of Pomerania Wartislaw VII and Mary of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Philippa of England
no issue 3 May 1459
House of Palatinate-Neumarkt (1440–1448)[edit]
Christopher III
(Christoffer af Bayern)
9 April 1440 –
5/6 January 1448 26 February 1416
fifth son of John, Count Palatine of Neumarkt and Catherine of Pomerania Dorothea of Brandenburg
no issue 5/6 January 1448
Kärnan Castile
House of Oldenburg (1448–1863)[edit]
Christian I
(32 years, 236 days) February 1426
eldest son of Dietrich, Count of Oldenburg and Helvig of Schauenburg Dorothea of Brandenburg
Copenhagen Castle
(Hans)
(31 years, 276 days) 2 February 1455
Aalborghus Castle
third son of Christian I and Dorothea of Brandenburg Christina of Saxony
five children 20 February 1513
Christian II
(9 years, 183 days)
(deposed) 1 July 1481
Nyborg Castle
second son of John and Christina of Saxony Isabella of Austria
six children 25 January 1559
Kalundborg Castle
Frederick I
(9 years, 363 days) 7 October 1471
Haderslevhus Castle
fourth son of Christian I and Dorothea of Brandenburg (1) Anna of Brandenburg
(2) Sophie of Pomerania
Kiel Castle
six children 10 April 1533
Gottorp Castle
Christian III
(24 years, 182 days) 12 August 1503
only son of Frederick I and Anna of Brandenburg Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg
Lauenburg Castle
five children 1 January 1559
Koldinghus Castle
Frederick II
(29 years, 95 days) 1 July 1534
eldest son of Christian III and Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
eight children 4 April 1588
Antvorskov Castle
(59 years, 331 days) 12 April 1577
Frederiksborg Palace
eldest son of Frederick II and Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (1) Anne Catherine of Brandenburg
seven children
(2) Kirsten Munk
twelve children 28 February 1648
Rosenborg Castle
Frederick III
(21 years, 347 days) 18 March 1609
third son of Christian IV and Anne Catherine of Brandenburg Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Glücksburg Castle
eight children 9 February 1670
Christian V
Duborg Castle
eldest son of Frederick III and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel
eight children 25 August 1699
Frederick IV
(31 years, 49 days) 11 October 1671
eldest son of Christian V and Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel (1) Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
five children
(2) Elisabeth Helene von Vieregg
(3) Anne Sophie Reventlow
three children 12 October 1730
Odense Palace
Christian VI
(15 years, 299 days) 30 November 1699
second son of Frederick IV and Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow Sophia Magdalene of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
Pretzsch Castle
three children 6 August 1746
Hirschholm Palace
Frederick V
only son of Christian VI and Sophia Magdalene of Brandenburg-Kulmbach (1) Louise of Great Britain
(2) Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
one son 14 January 1766
Christiansborg Palace
Christian VII
(42 years, 60 days) 29 January 1749
second son of Frederick V and Louise of Great Britain Caroline Matilda of Great Britain
two children 13 March 1808
Frederick VI
(31 years, 266 days) 28 January 1768
only son of Christian VII and Caroline Matilda of Great Britain Marie Sophie of Hesse-Kassel
eight children 3 December 1839
Amalienborg Palace
Christian VIII
Christian Frederick
(8 years, 49 days) 18 September 1786
eldest son of Frederick, Hereditary Prince of Denmark and Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1) Charlotte Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Ludwigslust Castle
(2) Caroline Amalie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg
Augustenborg Palace
no issue 20 January 1848
Frederick VII
Frederik Carl Christian
(15 years, 300 days) 6 October 1808
second son of Christian VIII and Charlotte Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1) Vilhelmine Marie of Denmark
(2) Caroline of Mecklenburg
(3) Louise Rasmussen
House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (since 1863)[edit]
Christian IX
(42 years, 76 days) 8 April 1818
Gottorf Castle
fourth son of Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg and Princess Louise Caroline of Hesse-Kassel Louise of Hesse-Kassel
aged 87 Great-grandson of King Frederick V and male-line descendant of King Christian III [9]
Frederick VIII
Christian Frederik Vilhelm Carl
(6 years, 107 days) 3 June 1843
Yellow Palace
eldest son of Christian IX and Louise of Hesse-Kassel Louise of Sweden
Jungfernstieg, Hamburg
aged 68 Son of King Christian IX [10]
Christian X
Christian Carl Frederik Albert Alexander Vilhelm
(34 years, 343 days) 26 September 1870
Charlottenlund Palace
eldest son of Frederick VIII and Louise of Sweden Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
two sons 20 April 1947
aged 76 Son of King Frederick VIII [11]
Frederick IX
Christian Frederik Franz Michael Carl Valdemar Georg
Sorgenfri Palace
eldest son of Christian X and Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Ingrid of Sweden
Storkyrkan Cathedral, Stockholm
three daughters 14 January 1972
aged 72 Son of King Christian X [12]
Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid
(49 years, 4 days) 16 April 1940
eldest daughter of Frederick IX and Ingrid of Sweden Henri de Laborde de Monpezat
Holmen Church, Copenhagen
two sons Incumbent
Age 80 years, 276 days Daughter of King Frederick IX [13]
Timeline of Danish monarchs[edit]
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^ a b c "Nordic FAQ – 3 of 7 – DENMARKSection – 3.3 History". Faqs.org. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
^ "TimeRime.com – Danmarks tilblivelse timeline". Timerime.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
^ Fokus 1. Fra Antikken Til Reformationen. 2008. ISBN 9788702044942. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
^ "De første Daner-konger?". Nationalmuseet. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
^ a b c d "Danish Kings before 873". Rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
^ Karsten Krambs: Det frisiske folk (2015 – version 1.2) (p. 8)
^ Holman, Katherine (June 2009). The A to Z of the Vikings. ISBN 9780810868137. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
^ Skovgaard-Petersen, Inge (2003). "The Making of the Danish Kingdom". In Helle, Knut (ed.). The Cambridge History of Scandinavia: Prehistory to 1520. Cambridge University Press. p. 174. ISBN 0-521-47299-7.
^ "Christian IX". Official website of the Danish Monarchy. Archived from the original on 2010-11-25. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
^ "Frederik VIII". Official website of the Danish Monarchy. Archived from the original on 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
^ "Christian X". Official website of the Danish Monarchy. Archived from the original on 2010-11-25. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
^ "Frederik IX". Official website of the Danish Monarchy. Archived from the original on 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
^ "HM The Queen". Official website of the Danish Monarchy. Archived from the original on 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
"Royal Lineage" Royal Family – The Monarchy in Denmark.
"Kongerækken" Kongehuset.
Monarchs of Denmark
Knýtlinga
c. 916 – 1042
(Harthacnut)
Sweyn Forkbeard1
Harald II
Cnut the Great1
Harthacanute1
Fairhair
Estridsen
Sweyn II Estridsen
Harald III Hen
Canute the Saint
Eric Evergood
Eric the Memorable
Eric Lamb
Sweyn Grathe / Canute V / Valdemar the Great
Valdemar the Victorious / Valdemar the Young
Eric Plough-tax
Eric Klipping
Eric Menved
Christopher II / Eric Christoffersen
Valdemar Atterdag
Bjelbo
Margrethe I2
Eric of Pomerania2
Palatinate-Neumarkt
Christopher of Bavaria2
Senior branch
Christian I2
Christian II2
Christian X3
Italics indicates Danish monarchs who were also monarchs of Norway.
1 Also monarch of England.
2 Also monarch of Sweden.
3 Also monarch of Iceland.
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