Styrbjörn Starke or Styrbjorn the Strong was the semi-legendary son of Olof (II) Björnsson, and the nephew of Eric the Victorious. At his father's death, ca 980, Björn could claim greater right to the throne of Sweden, than Eric's own soon to be born son. Eric the Victorious (VI), or Erik Segersäll, (985?- 995), was king of the Swedes during the last two decades of the 10th century. ...

Youth

Styrbjörn was unusually big, strong and unruly (for a Viking) and although he was only a little boy he managed to kill a courtier who accidentally had hit him on the nose with a drinking horn.

When he was 12 years old he asked his uncle for his birthright, but when he was denied the co-rulership of Sweden he sulked for a long time on his father's mound.

When he was 16 the Ting decided that he was too unruly to be king of Sweden. Eric decided to make his own unborn child co-regent on the condition that it was a son. As a compensation his uncle Eric gave him 60 well-equipped longships whereupon the frustrated Styrbjörn took his sister Gyrid and left. A ting, also thing or þing, was the governing assembly in Germanic societies, made up of the free men of the community. ... The Oseberg longship (Viking Ship Museum, Norway) Longships, langskip or drakkar were boats used by the Scandinavians and Saxons for mostly military purposes. ... Gyrid was a Swedish princess. ...

Career

He ravaged the shores of the Baltic Sea and when he was twenty, he conquered the stronghold of Jomsborg from its founder Palnetoke, and became its ruler. The Baltic Sea is located in Northern Europe, bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of east and central Europe, and the Danish islands. ... Jomsborg was a legendary Viking settlement in Pomerania by the Baltic Sea. ... Palnatoke was a legendary Danish hero and chieftain of the island of Fyn. ...

After some time he allied with the Danish king Harold Bluetooth and married his sister Gyrid to him. Styrbjörn married Harold's daughter Tyra, whom he was given by Harold for conquering Jomsborg. (Styrbjörn had the son Torkel Styrbjörnsson with Tyra. Torkel had a daughter named Gytha Thorkelsdóttir, who married Godwin, Earl of Wessex and became the mother of Harold II of England). Harold Bluetooth Gormson (Danish Harald Blåtand, Norwegian Harald Blåtann) (ca 935- November 1, 986), sometimes Harold II, succeeded his father Gorm the Old as king of Denmark in 958 (or 959) and was king of Norway for a few years, probably around 970. ... Gyrid was a Swedish princess. ... Tyra was the daughter of Harold Bluetooth and his third wife Gyrid. ... Gyda Torkelsdotter was the daughter of Torkel Styrbjörnsson. ... Godwin (sometimes Godwine) (c. ... Name Harold Godwinson Lived c. ...

the Battle of the Fyris Wolds

Harold gave him even more warriors and now Styrbjörn was about to reclaim the throne of Sweden. He sailed with a huge force which included 200 Danish longships in addition to his own Jomsvikings. When they arrived at Föret (Old Norse: Fyris) in Uplandia he burnt the ships in order to force his men to fight to the end. The Danish force changed its mind and returned to Denmark. Hrolf Kraki fleeing the Swedish king Adils on the Fýrisvellir Fyrisvellir, Fyris Wolds or Fyrisvallarna was the marshy plain (vellir) south of Gamla Uppsala where travellers had to leave the ships and walk to the Temple at Uppsala and the hall of the Swedish king. ... The Kingdom of Sweden (Swedish: Konungariket Sverige  listen) is a Nordic country in Scandinavia, in Northern Europe. ... Old Norse or Danish tongue is the Germanic language once spoken by the inhabitants of the Nordic countries (for instance during the Viking Age). ... Uplandia, or Uppland, is a historical Province or Landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden. ...

Styrbjörn marched alone with his Jomsvikings to Gamla Uppsala. His uncle was, however, prepared and had sent for reinforcements in all directions. Gamla Uppsala is an area rich in archaeological remains seen from the grave field whose larger mounds (left part) are close to the royal mounds. ...

During the first two days, the battle was even. In the evening, Eric went to the statue of Odin at the Temple at Uppsala where he sacrificed. He promised Odin that if he won the battle, he would belong to Odin and arrive at Valhalla in ten years from then. For other meanings of Odin and Wotan see Odin (disambiguation) Odin (Old Norse Óðinn, Swedish Oden) is usually considered the supreme god of Germanic and Norse mythology. ... The Temple at Uppsala was a Temple in Gamla Uppsala (Old Uppsala), near modern Uppsala, Sweden, created to worship the Norse gods of ancient times. ... For other uses see Valhalla (disambiguation). ...

The third day, Eric threw his spear over the enemy and said "I sacrifice you all to Odin". The Swedes were winning, and the Danish warriors fled. Only Styrbjörn and his sworn men stayed, and died. For other meanings of Odin and Wotan see Odin (disambiguation) Odin (Old Norse Óðinn, Swedish Oden) is usually considered the supreme god of Germanic and Norse mythology. ... The term Danish can indicate: the Danish language Danish tongue is a synonym to the Old Norse language (3rd century - 15th century), spoken in all of Scandinavia belonging to the Germanic tribe Daner. ...

Archaeological evidence

• On a runestone in Hällestad, Hallandia it is said: "Eskil raised this stone after Toke Gormsson, his beloved master. He did not flee at Uppsala."

• A runestone in Sjörup, Scania, relates: "He did not flee at Uppsala, but fought as long as he had weapons."

Hallandia (Halland) is a historical Province (landskap) on the western coast of Sweden. ... Scania (Skåne) is the southernmost historical Province (landskap) of Sweden. ...