View source for List of legendary kings of Denmark

{{Short description|none}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2016}}
The '''legendary kings of Denmark''' were, according to legend, the monarchs of [[Denmark]], the [[Danes]], or specific [[lands of Denmark]] ([[Zealand]], [[Jutland]] or [[Scania]]) who preceded [[Gorm the Old]], a king who reigned {{circa|930s}} to {{circa|960s}} and is the earliest [[List of Danish monarchs|reliably attested Danish ruler]]. Gorm's son, [[Harald Bluetooth]], oversaw the widespread [[Christianization of Scandinavia#Denmark|Christianization of Denmark]], meaning that the legendary kings listed here are those from before Christianization and are predominantly (but not entirely) pagan. Kings preceding Gorm may be partly historical (especially those near to Gorm's time), but are either semi-legendary or entirely mythological. Some are based on earlier [[euhemerism|euhemerised]] stories (that is, figures from mythological folktales were depicted as historical kings by medieval writers such as [[Saxo Grammaticus]]).

There are many medieval accounts of the Danish kings of the [[Dark Ages (historiography)|Dark Ages]], and these accounts can be confusing and contradictory (although there is overlap and different sources can include the same kings). This article presents the legendary kings from each source separately.

==Danish sources==

===Runestones===
[[Runestone]]s are raised stones, marked with a [[runes|runic]] inscription. In the [[Viking Age]], and especially later in the Viking Age, runestones were often raised in memorial of dead people, including kings. Many were raised by contemporaries of the deceased, making runestones important archeological and historical evidence. Although they contain very little detail about the people they mention, they are vital corroborating evidence for individuals (especially kings) that are known of through other sources (see below).

Surviving runestones that were found in lands that were part of Denmark during the Viking Age and refer to early and legendary kings of Denmark include:
* The [[Jelling stones]] ([[Rundata]] DR 41 and DR 42), which refers to [[Gorm the Old|King Gorm]], his wife [[Thyra]], and their son [[Harald Bluetooth|King Harald]].
* The [[Hedeby stones]], of which two (Rundata DR 1 and DR 3) refer to [[Sveyn Forkbeard|King Suin]], and the other two (the [[Sigtrygg Runestones]], DR 2 and DR 4) were raised by Ásfrið, daughter of Odinkar, to memorialise [[Sigtrygg Gnupasson|King Sigtrygg]], Ásfrið's son with [[Gyrd and Gnupa|Gnupa]].
*The first [[Sønder Vissing Runestone]] (DR 55), which was raised by [[Tove of the Obotrites|Tofa]], wife of [[Harald Bluetooth|Harald the Good]] ([[Gorm the Old|Gorm]]'s son) and daughter of [[Mstivoj|Misitiwi]], in honour of her mother.
*The [[Hällestad Runestones]] and [[Aars stone]], which refer to Gorm's son [[Valtoke Gormsson|Toke or Valtoke]], who is not known from other sources and apparently died at the [[Battle of Fýrisvellir]].

In summary, the legendary Danish kings preceding Gorm the Old who are recorded on Viking Age runestones are:
*[[Gyrd and Gnupa|Gnupa]]
*[[Sigtrygg Gnupasson|Sigtrygg]], Gnupa's son
*[[Gorm the Old|Gorm]]

=== Adam of Bremen ===
[[Adam of Bremen]] was an [[11th century]] [[Germans|German]] chronicler. Although not Danish himself, he spent time in the court of the Danish king [[Sweyn II of Denmark|Svend Estridson]]. Adam claims to derive much of the information on Danish history from his [[Latin]] chronicle ''[[Gesta Hammaburgensis ecclesiae pontificum]]'' ("Deeds of the Bishops of Hamburg") from conversations with Svend (whom he quotes verbatim in several places) and from information provided by Danish bishops. He also references the historians of the Franks (see, for example, the section on the [[#Royal Frankish Annals|Royal Frankish Annals]], below) and [[hagiography|hagiographies]] such as ''[[Vita Ansgarii]]''.

''Gesta Hammaburgensis ecclesiae pontificum'' names several [[10th century]] kings preceding Gorm the Old. Kings whose histories are derived from information provided by Svend Estridson include:<ref>[https://www.augustana.net/users/mischahooker/scanchron/SvenEstridsen.html Sven Estridsen (in Adam of Bremen)], by Mischa Hooker of Augustana College, with text and translation</ref><ref>[https://sites.rootsweb.com/~medieval/gorm.htm Gorm of Denmark and his immediate predecessors based on the earliest authorities], compiled by Stewart Baldwin</ref><ref>Latin text of Adam of Bremen's ''Gesta Hammburgensis ecclesiae pontificum'' from [https://www.dmgh.de/mgh_ss_rer_germ_2/index.htm#page/56/mode/1up B. Schmeidler, 3rd ed., MGH SRG 2 (1917)]</ref>
* [[Helge (Danish king)|Helge]] ("Heiligonem"), who ruled Norway after the defeat of the [[Norsemen]] and was renowned for his justice and sanctity ''(1.XLVIII)''
* [[Olof the Brash|Olaf]] ("Olaph"), a Swedish prince who conquered Denmark, succeeded Helge, and had many sons ''(1.XLVIII, 1.LII)''
* [[Gyrd and Gnupa|Chnuba and Gyrd]] ("Chnob et Gurd"), Olaf's sons who possessed the realm after his death ''(1.XLVIII)''
* [[Sigtrygg Gnupasson|Sigeric]] ("Sigerich"), who succeeded after Olaf and his sons ''(1.LII)''
* [[Harthacnut I of Denmark|Harthacnut]] ("Hardegon", "Hardecnudth"), the son of "Svein"; Harthacnut came from "Nortmannia" and deprived Sigeric of the kingdom ''(1.LII, 1.LV)''

Mentioned kings preceding Gorm the Old, whose histories are derived from other sources, include:<ref>''[https://archive.org/details/historyofarchbis00adam_0/mode/2up History of the Archbishops of Hamburg-Bremen]'', English translation with an introduction and notes by Francis J. Tschan. Columbia University Press. New York (1959).</ref>
* [[Gudfred|Gotafrid]] ''(1.xiv, 1.xxxix)''
* [[Hemming of Denmark|Hemming]], Gotafrid's cousin who succeeded him ''(1.xiv)''
* [[Sigfred (Danish king 812)|Sigefrid]] and [[Anulo]], Gotafrid's nephews who went to war with each other over Hemming's succession. Both kings were killed, but Anulo's faction won and placed [[Reginfrid]] and [[Harald Klak|Harald]] on the throne. ''(1.xv, 1.xxxix)''
* [[Reginfrid]], who was forced out of Denmark by his brother Harald and resorted to piracy ''(1.xv)''
* [[Harald Klak|Harald]] (i.e. Harald Klak), who was forced out by the sons of Gotafrid and fled to the court of [[Louis the Pious]], where he (with his wife and brother Horuch) were converted to Christianity and baptised ''(1.xv)''
* [[Horik I|Horic]], who was friendly to Christians, and who was killed in a war against his nephew Gudorm ''(1.xxv, 1.xxvi, 1.xxviii)''
* [[Horik II|Horic]] the younger, the only royal survivor of the war between Horic the elder and Gudorm. On his ascension to the throne, he immediately expelled all Christian priests and closed the churches, but was later converted to Christianity by [[Ansgar]]. ''(1.xxviii, 1.xxix)''
* [[Sigfred and Halfdan|Sigefrid and his brother Halfdan]] ''(1.xxxvii)''
* Horic ''(1.xxxvii)''
* Orwig ''(1.xxxvii)''
* Gotafrid ''(1.xxxvii)''
* Rudolf ''(1.xxxvii)''
* Ingvar, son of [[Ragnar Lodbrok|Lodbrok]] (possibly a conflation of [[Ivar the Boneless]], one of Ragnar Lodbrok's sons who is not traditionally credited with ruling Denmark, with [[Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye]], who is) ''(1.xxxvii)''
* [[Gorm the Old|Wrm]] (i.e. Gorm the Old, rendered in various manuscripts as "Vurm", "Wrm", "Worm", "Gorm", or "Gwyrm"), son of Harthacnut; described by Adam of Bremen as a "[[Germanic dragon|wyrm]]" who tried to eradicate Christianity in Denmark, but was succeeded by his son [[Harald Bluetooth|Harold]] who converted the country to that religion ''(1.LV, 1.LVII, 1.LVIIII, 1.LIX)''

===''Chronicon Roskildense''===
{{Kings of Chronicon Roskildense family tree}}
The earliest known history of Denmark to be written in Denmark was ''[[Chronicon Roskildense]]'' ("The Chronicle of [[Roskilde]]"), which was composed in [[Latin]] by an unknown author (likely connected with [[Roskilde Cathedral]]) in the mid-[[12th century]]. Many early sections rely on the work of [[Adam of Bremen]] ([[#Adam of Bremen|see above]]).

It begins in the year [[826]], with the introduction of [[Christianity]] to Denmark and conversion of [[Harald Klak]]. The original chronicle ends with the appointment of [[Eskil of Lund]] as [[Archbishop of Lund]] in [[1137]] or [[1138]] (and was likely written about this time), and this is followed by a continuation by a different author up to the ascension of [[Valdemar I of Denmark]] in [[1157]]. As such, most of the chronicle takes place after the Christianisation of Denmark, but the early sections do list several semi-legendary kings preceding [[Gorm the Old]]. These are:<ref name=CR>[https://www.augustana.net/users/mischahooker/scanchron/ChroniconRoskildense.html Chronicon Roskildense], with translation and commentary by Mischa Hooker of Augustana College</ref><ref>Michael H Gelting, [https://lex.dk/Roskildekr%C3%B8niken Roskildekrøniken (Danish)], Lex (Danmarks Nationalleksikon)</ref>
*[[Harald Klak]] ("Haraldus")
*[[Horik I]] ("Hericus"), who is referred to here as Harald Klak's brother.
*[[Horik II]] ("Hericus Puer", or Heric the Child), of whom the chronicle says there was significant doubt that he was Horik I's son. He temporarily ejected the Christians and priests from Denmark.
*[[Fróði|Frothi]]
*Gorm
*[[Harald Bluetooth]] ("Haraldus" with the surname "Blatan"), who is incorrectly identified also as "Clac Harald". He ruled with his father Gorm for 15 years, then after his father's death for a further 50 years.
*[[Halfdan]] ("Haldanus"), of whom it is said it is doubtful that he was the son of Clac Harald, and that he said slain along with all his sons.
*[[Gorm the Old|Gorm]], brother of [[Harthacnut I of Denmark|Hartha Knut]] (who ruled the Angles)

The ''Chronicon Roskildense'' refers to two separate kings named Gorm (historically only one, [[Gorm the Old]], is known of), both of whom had sons named Harald (based on [[Harald Bluetooth]]). Furthermore there are two individuals named Sven (based on [[Sveyn Forkbeard]]), one the father of the second Gorm and the other his grandson. Both Svens invaded Anglia and overthrew a king (Aldradus or Adeldrad, both based on [[Æthelred the Unready]]). The second Gorm is succeeded by his son Harald, who is succeeded by the second Sven, who is temporarily replaced by [[Olaf Tryggvason|Olaf Cracaben]]. After the second Sven dies, he is succeeded by [[Cnut|Cnut the Great]] ("Kanutus"), and thereafter the chronicle begins to align more with accepted history. (Later, [[Saxo Grammaticus]] would not only retain these two kings named Gorm, but add a third; [[#Gesta Danorum|see below]].)

[[Ivar the Boneless]] ("Ywar"), son of [[Ragnar Lodbrok]] ("Lothpardus"), isn't called a king of the Danes in ''Chronicon Roskildense'', but he is a king of the [[Norseman]] ("rex Normannorum") during the reign of Horik II and leads several kings of the Danes (the chronicle explains that, at the time, there were as many as five kings in Denmark: two in [[Jutland]], a third in [[Fyn]], a fourth in [[Sjælland]], and a fifth in [[Scania]]) to destroy the kingdom of the [[Franks]]. He then leads a fleet to invade Britain (the [[Great Heathen Army]]). The ''Chronicon'' mentions several of his brothers (Ingvar, Ubbi, Byorn, and Ulf) as rulers of northern nations; Ingvar may be so named in reference to Adam of Bremen, who used the name Ingvar as a son of Lodbrok who ruled as King of the Danes.

===''Chronicon Lethrense''===
{{Kings of Chronicon Lethrense family tree}}
The earliest known treatment of Danish legendary history to be written in Denmark was ''[[Chronicon Lethrense]]'' ("The Chronicle of Lejre"), which was composed in [[Latin]] by an unknown author, likely from [[Roskilde]] and transmitted as part of the ''[[Annales Lundenses]]'' (although it was likely originally a separate work). ''Chronicon Lethrense'' was written in the mid- to late-[[12th century]], possibly alongside or as a sort of prequel to ''[[Chronicon Roskildense]]'' ([[#Chronicon Roskildense|see above]]), which depicts historical kings after the introduction of Christianity to Denmark.

''Chronicon Lethrense'' was hugely influential, and many subsequent chronicles were at least partly based on it. Almost all monarchs mentioned appear in subsequent chronicles, with the notable exception of two [[Queen regnant|queens regnant]], Asa and Hethae. It states that the first king of the Danes was a certain [[Dan (king)|Dan]] (after whom the tribe was named), who was the son of a Swedish king named Ypper. This is said to be both when [[Augustus]] invaded Denmark and during the time of the Biblical [[David|King David]], referring to two rulers who lived about a thousand years apart.

''Chronicon Lethrense'' also explicitly conflates the kingdoms of Denmark with [[Dacia]], a conceit that appears in the earlier works of [[Dudo of Saint-Quentin]], and in subsequent works such as ''[[Historia Regum Britanniae]]'' ([[#Historia Regum Britanniae|see below]]).

Monarchs in the ''Chronicon Lethrense'' are:<ref name=CL>[https://www.augustana.net/users/mischahooker/scanchron/ChroniconLethrense.html Chronicon Lethrense], with translation and commentary by Mischa Hooker of Augustana College</ref>
* [[Dan (king)|Dan]], son of Ypper (a primeval king of Sweden)
* Ro, who takes the place of [[Halfdan|Haldan]] in other chronicles (that is, Ro and Haldan have reversed roles in the ''Chronicon Lethrense'' compared to other chronicles; usually Haldan is the father of Ro, here Ro is the father of Haldan)
* Haldan, who takes the place of [[Hroðgar|Ro]] in other chronicles
* [[Halga|Helgi]], who rules as a [[sea-king]] while his brother rules in Lejre
* A [[dog king]] Raka (or Racha or Rachi), placed to rule over Denmark on the order of the Swedish king [[Adils|Athisl]]
* [[Snær|Snyo]]
* [[Hrólfr Kraki|Rolf Kraki]]
* [[Heoroweard|Hiarwart]]
* [[Haki|Aki]], brother of [[Hagbard|Haghbardus]] and son of [[Hámundr|Hamundus]]
* [[Fridlevus II|Fritleff]]
* [[Fróði|Frotha Largus]] (the Generous)
* [[Ingeld|Ingyald]]
* [[Olof the Brash|Olav]], who is described here as the son of Ingyald and not a conqueror as in other chronicles
* Asa, queen
* [[Harald Wartooth|Harald Hyldetan]]
* [[Heiðr|Hethae]], queen who founded [[Hedeby|Hethaeby]] in Jutland

=== Sven Aggesen ===
{{Kings of Brevis Historia Regum Dacie family tree}}
[[Sven Aggesen]] was a [[12th century]] Danish chronicler who wrote ''[[Brevis historia regum Dacie]]'' ("A Short History of the Kings of Denmark"). He was a contemporary of [[Saxo Grammaticus]] and noted in his writings that he was aware of Saxo's then-in progress work on the ''[[Gesta Danorum]]'' (see below), but also described himself (incorrectly) as the first writer to document the kings of Denmark.

Sven says that the first king of Denmark was [[Skjöldr|Skiold]], whose descendants are the [[Scylding|Skioldungar]]. The line of kings continues from Skiold to [[Gorm the Old]] with only one break, between [[Ingeld|Ingiald]] and [[Olof the Brash|Olaf]]. It says, "After his [Ingeld's] time no son succeeded his father to the throne for a space of many centuries. It passed to grandsons, or nephews, who, to be sure, were sprung from the royal stock on the one side." It is unclear if this represents a gap in the lineage (i.e. that other unmentioned kings ruled between Ingeld and Olaf) or if Olaf succeeded Ingeld directly but began a period in which there was no direct father-to-son succession. The latter is possible given, for example, that Olaf took the throne by conquest, and that after Olaf the landowner Ennignup (possibly a reference to [[Gyrd and Gnupa|Gnupa]]) became guardian of the kingdom before [[Harthacnut I of Denmark|Knut]] came to power. When first written, the chronicle was apparently accompanied by an extensive genealogy as an appendix, but this appendix has not survived.

=== ''Gesta Danorum'' ===
{{Kings of Gesta Danorum family tree}}
''[[Gesta Danorum]]'' ("Deeds of the Danes") by [[Saxo Grammaticus]] is the most extensive, and most widely known Danish chronicle of Danish kings. It was written in Latin in the [[12th century]], and comprises 16 books, of which the first 9 relate to legendary kings leading up to Gorm the Old, and the remaining 7 are more recent and historical. The work is explicitly [[euhemerism|euhemeristic]], repeatedly referring to certain individuals (including [[Odin]], [[Baldr]], and [[Thor]]) as mortal humans that people believed to be, and worshipped as, gods.

Saxo draws on many sources for this work. In several places where the sources appear contradictory, he will adapt more than one version at different places in the timeline, often creating multiple individuals where earlier stories had only one. For example, instead of a single king named Gorm the Old, Saxo says there were three different kings named Gorm. [[Sigurd Hring]] appears as two different kings, Ringo and Siwardus Ring.

''Gesta Danorum'' does not distinguish between kings of the same name, except through context or the occasional epithet. However, the popularity of the work meant that the kings list that first appeared in it was used extensively in later works, some of which appended [[regnal number]]s so that the kings could be easily identified individually. For example, in the [[17th century]], the priest and mathematician Erico Olai Tormio (or [https://biografiskleksikon.lex.dk/Erik_Olufsen_Torm Eric Olufsen Torm]) produced an engraving of all Danish kings up to that date in honour of king [[Christian IV of Denmark]] (who died in [[1648]] although the work is dated [[1670]]), called ''Veræ effigies regum omnium, qvi a primo Dan usqve Christianum IV modo regnantem imperii Danici gloria eminuerunt'' (or "True images of all the kings, from Dan the first all the way to Christian IV the present king of the Danish empire, stood out in glory"). The legendary kings featured in the work are identical to those from the ''Gesta Danorum'', with the addition of regnal numbers. This work also adds lengths of reigns, not always included in the original.<ref>[http://www5.kb.dk/images/billed/2010/okt/billeder/object396873/da ''Veræ effigies regium omnium, qvi a primo Dan usqve Christianum IV modo regnantem imperii Danici gloria eminuerunt. Ann. sup. MMDCLXX''] at the Digital Collection of the Royal Danish Library</ref> In [[1685]], another work gave the stories and images of the kings up to then-King [[Christian V of Denmark]], this time a book in German by [[:de:Johann Beer|Johann Christoph Beer]] called ''Der Königen in Dän[n]emark Leben, Regierung und Absterben, von dem Ersten König Dan an, Biß auf den izt-regierenden König Christian den Fünfften'' ("The Lives, Reigns and Deaths of the Kings of Denmark, from Dan the first to the present Christian V"). This book also used ''Gesta Danorum'' as its base for the list of legendary kings.<ref>[https://libreto.de.dariah.eu/libreto-search/index.php?field=id&value=gandersheim616 Beer, Johann Christoph: ''Der Königen in Dän[n&#93;emark Leben''] at the [[Herzog August Library]]</ref><ref>[https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/antiquariat-schramm/catalogue-id-schramm10016/lot-f749e731-dc8f-4412-8a8d-b098009e4417 Lot 222: (Beer) - Königen in Dännemark Leben] at The Saleroom auction house</ref>

The legendary Danish kings from the ''Gesta Danourm'' (with regnal numbers from the ''Veræ effigies'' of Erico Olai Tormio) are:
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Dan I of Denmark|Dan I]]
* [[Humblus]]
* [[Lotherus]]
* [[Skjöldr|Skiold]]
* [[Gram of Denmark|Gram]]
* [[Svipdagr (king)|Svibdagerus]]
* [[Guthorm|Guthormus]]
* [[Hadingus]]
* [[Frotho I]]
* [[Halfdan|Haldanus I]]
* [[Hrothgar|Ro]]
* [[Halga|Helgo]]
* [[Hrólfr Kraki|Rolvo Krake]]
* [[Höðr|Høtherus]] (and [[Baldr|Balderus]])
* [[Hrœrekr Ringslinger|Rørikus]] (the grandfather of [[Hamlet (legend)|Hamlet]])
* [[Wihtlæg|Wiglecus]]
* [[Wermund]]us
* [[Offa of Angel|Uffo]]
* [[Dan II of Denmark|Dan II]]
* [[Huglecus]]
* [[Frotho II]]
* [[Dan III]]
* [[Fridlevus I]]
* [[Frotho III]]
* [[Hiarnus]]<ref>Saxo Grammaticus, ed. Hilda Ellis Davidson, p. 165.</ref>
* [[Fridlevus II]]
* [[Frotho IV]]
* [[Ingeld|Ingellus]]
* [[Olavus I]]
* [[Frotho V]]
* [[Haraldus I]]
* [[Haldanus II]]
* [[Yngwin]]
* [[Sywaldus I]]
* [[Sigar|Sygarus]]
* [[Harald Wartooth|Haraldus Hyldetan]] (Harald Wartooth)
* [[Sigurd Hring|Ringo]]
* [[Ale the Strong|Olo]]
* [[Omundus]]
* [[Sywardus I]]
* [[Iarmericus]]
* [[Broderus]]
* [[Sywaldus II]]
* [[Snær|Snio]]
* [[Biorn of Denmark|Biorn]]
* [[Haraldus III]]
* [[Gormo I]]
* [[Gudfred|Gotrik]]
* [[Olavus II]]
* [[Hemming of Denmark|Hemmingus]]
* [[Sigurd Hring|Siwardus Ring]]
* [[Ragnar Lodbrok|Regner Lothbrog]]
* [[Siwardus III]]
* [[Horik I|Ericus I]]
* [[Horik II|Ericus II]]
* [[Kanutus I]]
* [[Frotho VI]]
* [[Gormo II]]
* [[Haraldus III]]
* [[Gorm the Old|Gormo III]]
{{div col end}}

In Book VI of ''Gesta Danorum'', Saxo also refers to a certain [[Haki|Hakon]] as the tyrant of Denmark when describing the early years of the champion [[Starkad]]. However, Hakon does not appear to fit into the timeline or family tree of Danish rulers as described in the rest of ''Gesta Danorum''.

===''Gesta Danorum på danskæ''===
{{Kings of Gesta Danorum på danskæ family tree}}
''[[Gesta Danorum på danskæ]]'', a work separate from Saxo's ''Gesta Danorum'', is the earliest surviving chronicle of Danish kings that was written in the Danish language (then [[Old Norse]]). It was written around the year 1300. It covers much of the same legendary and historical material as ''Chronicon Lethrense'' and Saxo's ''Gesta Danorum'', but it is not a direct translation or abbreviation of either work, and includes material from both along with alterations that appear in neither.<ref name=ALK>Anders Leegaard Knudsen, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=-U1VtjnDr7wC&pg=PA17 Saxostudier og rigshistorie på Valdemar Atterdags tid]'', Kopenhagen 1994, p. 17-19.</ref><ref>Birgit I L Sawyer, ''[https://www.academia.edu/12415600/Saxostudier_och_rikshistoria Saxostudier och rikshistoria]'' ([https://www.academia.edu/12422889/Saxo_studies_and_National_History English translation: Saxo studies and 'National' History]), (Norwegian) Historisk Tidsskrift 74 (1995), pp. 120-122. (via Academia.edu).</ref> For example, the tale of the [[dog king]] of Denmark who precedes the reign of [[Hrólfr Kraki|Rolf Kraki]], and how [[Snær|Snyo]] won the throne after the dog's death, appears in ''Gesta Danorum på danskæ'' (in which it was put on the throne by [[Haki|Hakon]]) and the ''Chronicon Lethrense'' (in which it was put on the throne by [[Eadgils|Athisl]]), but not in Saxo's ''Gesta Danorum''.<ref name=Gordon>[[E. V. Gordon]], ''[https://archive.org/details/AnIntroductionToOldNorse/page/n125/mode/1up An Introduction to Old Norse]'', 1927, p. 146-149, 2nd ed. by A.R. Taylor, 1957, p. 165-168.</ref> However, the story of the mortal king [[Höðr|Hother]] slaying divine [[Baldr|Balder]] is included in ''Gesta Danorum på danskæ'' and Saxo's ''Gesta Danorum'', but not in ''Chronicon Lethrense''. In some cases, ''Gesta Danorum på danskæ'' incorporates information from both prior versions, even when these are incompatible. For example, when discussing the death of [[Heoroweard|Hartwar]] after he overthrew [[Hrólfr Kraki|Rolf Krage]], ''Gesta Danorum på danskæ'' describes how he was killed by Rolf's retainer [[Vöggr|Wigge]] (echoing the version recounted in ''Gesta Danorum''), but then says "Some say" it was [[Haki|Ake]], brother of [[Hagbard|Hauborth]], who killed Hartwar and became king (echoing the version recounted in ''Chronicon Lethrense'').<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070310135852/http://www.oe.eclipse.co.uk/nom/lejre.html English translation of ''Gesta Danorum på danskæ'' (as The Chronicle of the Kings of Lejre)], by Peter Tunstall.</ref> In another example, ''Chronicon Lethrense'' gives the brothers of [[Dan (king)|Dan]] (eponymous progenitor of the Danes) as [[Nór|Nori]] (founder of Norway) and Østen (progenitor of the Swedes), and ''Gesta Danorum'' says his brother is [[Angul (mythology)|Angul]] (progenitor of the Angles); ''Gesta Danorum på danskæ'' says that his brothers are Snøre, Høsten and Angul, effectively combining both previous accounts.<ref>'[https://books.google.com/books?id=iLINAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1 Gesta Danorum pa danskæ. cod. Holm. B 77 og C 67]', in: ''Gammeldanske Krøniker'', ed. Marcus Lorenzen, Copenhagen, Samfund til udgivelse af Gammel Nordisk Litteratur, 1887–1913, part 1, p.&nbsp;1-60.</ref>

===Codex Runicus===
{{Kings of Kongetal family tree}}
[[File:Kongetal.jpg|thumb|Leaf 92r of AM 28 8vo, known as Codex Runicus, a vellum manuscript from c. 1300 written entirely in runes. Leaf 92r contains the first half of ''Kongetal'', listing the legendary kings of Denmark from [[Wermund|Værmund]] to [[Frotho III|Froþe]], and includes the start of a [[rubric]] placing Froþe's reign at the time of Christ.]]
The [[Codex Runicus]] is a codex written in Old Danish [[rune]]s (specifically the [[medieval runes|Danish futhark]] with dotted runes<ref>Paola Peratello (2020), [https://www.academia.edu/44837029/Codex_Runicus_AM_28_8vo_A_pilot_project_for_encoding_a_runic_manuscript Codex Runicus (AM 28 8vo): A pilot project for encoding a runic manuscript]</ref>). Most of the codex is a code of [[Scanian Law]], but two sections near the end list Danish kings. These are known in modern Danish as ''Kongetal'' (King's List) and ''Runekrønike'' (Runic Chronicle). They were written by a different scribe than the one who wrote the law code (Hand 2 instead of Hand 1), likely to add legitimacy to the then-reigning royal family, and likely not before the year 1319 (judging by the reference to [[Eric VI of Denmark|Eric VI Menved]] in the past tense at the end of ''Runekrønike'').<ref name="zjb">Zachary James Baker (Spring 2023), [https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/105459/Baker-Zachary_Thesis_VMNS.pdf?sequence=1 An Examination of the Scanian Experiment in 'runica manuscripta'] (Master thesis), University of Oslo and University of Iceland, pages 14-17</ref><ref>Britta Olrik Frederiksen, A Clash of Traditions? – Codex runicus. In: Wiebke Beyer, Karin Becker (eds): Artefact of the Month No 16, CSMC, Hamburg, https://www.csmc.uni-hamburg.de/publications/aom/016-en.html</ref>

====''Kongetal''====
''Kongetal'' is a fragment of text, missing both its beginning and its ending. It begins partway through a line with the son of [[Wihtlæg|Uiþlef]] (likely [[Wermund|Værmund]], judging by the following line) and ends with Hiþing the Proper, the only king on this list who doesn't appear in any other list of Danish kings (not even the attached ''Runekrønike''). This list is interrupted halfway through with a [[rubric]] that states God (i.e. Jesus) was born in the reign of [[Frotho III|Froþe ''hin friþgoþe'']]. Each entry is brief, giving only the king's name, his father's name, and sometimes giving his epithet and queen.<ref name="zjb"/>

The kings and queens listed in ''Kongetal'' are:<ref>[https://tekstnet.dk/books/anon_kongetal/001/ Text of ''Kongetal'' in Latin letters], edited by Marita Akhøj Nielsen (2015), at Tekstnet.dk</ref><ref>[https://heimskringla.no/wiki/Konger%C3%A6kken Modern Danish translation of ''Kongetal''] by Jesper Lauridsen (2017), at Heimskringla.no</ref><ref>[https://www.e-pages.dk/ku/579/ Digitised manuscript of the Codex Runicus] at the University of Copenhagen</ref>
*[[Wermund|Værmund (ᚡᛅᚱᛘᚢᚿᛑ)]], son of [[Wihtlæg|Uiþlef (ᚢᛁᚦᛚᛅᚠ)]]
*[[Offa of Angel|Uffi (ᚢᚠᚠᛁ) ''hin starke'' (the strong)]], son of Værmund
*[[Dan II of Denmark|Dan (ᛑᛆᚿ)]], son of Uffi
*[[Huglecus|Huþlef (ᚼᚢᚦᛚᛅᚠ) or Hughlek (ᚼᚢᚵᚼᛚᛅᚴ)]], also a son of Uffi
*[[Frotho II|Froþe (ᚠᚱᚮᚦᛅ) ''hin storlætne'']], son of Hughlek
*[[Dan III|Dan (ᛑᛆᚿ) ''hin dahfulli'']], son of Froþe
*[[Fridlevus I|Friþlef (ᚠᚱᛁᚦᛚᛅᚠ)]], son of Dan. His queen was named Falka (ᚠᛆᛚᚴᛆ).
*[[Frotho III|Froþe (ᚠᚱᚮᚦᛅ) ''hin friþgoþe'']], son of Friþlef. His queen was named Ulvild (ᚢᛚᚡᛁᛚᛑ), and the chronicle says God (i.e. Jesus) was born in his reign.
*[[Fridlevus II|Friþlef (ᚠᚱᛁᚦᛚᛅᚠ)]], son of Froþe. His queen was named Eriþa (ᛅᚱᛁᚦᛆ).
*Froþe (ᚠᚱᚮᚦᛅ) ''hin harþe'' (the hard), son of Friþlef
*[[Ingeld|Ingæld (ᛁᚿᚵᛅᛚᛑ)]], son of Froþe. His queen was named Swærtæ (ᛋᚡᛅᚱᛐᛅ).
*Olaf (ᚮᛚᛆᚠ), son of Ingæld and Swærtæ
*Froþe (ᚠᚱᚮᚦᛅ) ''hin frøkne'', son of Olaf. His queen was named Allofþ (ᛆᛚᛚᚮᚠᚦ)
*Haldan (ᚼᛆᛚᛑᛆᚿ), son of Froþe. His queen was named Þorilda (ᚦᚮᚱᛁᛚᛑᛆ).
*Hiþing (ᚼᛁᚦᛁᚿᚵ) ''hin høueske'' (the proper), son of Froþe. His queen was named Hilda (ᚼᛁᛚᛑᛆ).

====''Runekrønike''====
{{Kings of Runekrønike family tree}}
''Runekrønike'' is longer than ''Kongetal'', both in terms of the number of kings listed (its fragment starts earlier with [[Frotho I|Froþe]] son of [[Hadding|Hading]], and ends contemporary with the manuscript at the reign of [[Eric VI of Denmark|Eric VI Menved]]) and in the detail given about their reigns. However, unlike the ''Kongetal'', it names very few queens.

The ''Runekrønike'' is not wholly consistent with the ''Kongetal''. Some names are spelled differently, for example Værmund (ᚡᛅᚱᛘᚢᚿᛑ) in the ''Kongetal'' is written Uærmund (ᚢᛅᚱᛘᚢᚿᛑ) in ''Runekrønike''. It also excludes Olaf son of [[Ingeld|Inggiæld]], skipping directly to Froþe son of Olaf, possibly because of a scribal error. Also, as mentioned above, the list of kings are different after Haldan son of Froþe: ''Kongetal'' says that Haldan is followed by his brother, the otherwise unknown Hiþing, whereas ''Runekrønike'' says that the kingship passed to Siwald.

The ''Runekrønike'' is heavily based on Saxo's ''Gesta Danorum'' ([[#Gesta Danorum|see above]]), although shorter, but it also deviates in some places. For example, while Saxo has [[Hrothgar|Ro]] and [[Halga|Helge]] as the sons of [[Halfdan]], the ''Runekrønike'' says instead that they are the sons of Halfdan's own father [[Frotho I|Froþe]]. While Saxo mentions the battle between [[Höðr|Hother]] and the (believed) semi-divine [[Balder]], the ''Runekrønike'' goes even further with euhemerisation by making Balder a rival king from [[Zealand]], and calls him the son of Þouhma ("Þouhma" is the genitive spelling; the nominative could be different) instead of a son of [[Odin]] as in Saxo.

The ''Runekrønike'' also includes material from (and deviates from material in) other sources, including the ''[[Chronicon Lethrense]]''. Although it mentions both the [[dog king]] (installed as the Danish king by the king of Sweden) and King Snio (Snow) from ''Chronicon Lethrense'', Snio doesn't become king immediately after the dog king in the ''Runekrønike''; instead, at least six other kings come between them.

== Anglo-Saxon sources ==
===''Beowulf'' ===
{{Scyldings of Beowulf family tree}}
The [[Old English]] epic poem ''[[Beowulf]]'' mentions several Danish kings who are members of the [[Scylding]] clan (that is, they are descended from [[Scyld]]). The most notable Danish king in the poem is [[Hroðgar]], whose hall [[Heorot]] is the main setting of the tale. Characters identified as kings of the Danes in the text include:
* [[Heremod]], who slew many of his own people and was exiled and killed
* [[Scyld]], a foundling who became king
* [[Beowa|Beowulf]], son of Scyld. This Beowulf is unrelated to the [[Beowulf (hero)|title character]] of the poem, and is known by other names in other sources (e.g. Beowa or Beaw)
* [[Healfdene]], son of Beowa
* [[Heorogar]], son of Healfdene
* [[Hroðgar]], son of Healfdene

Several other characters, members of the same family, are not referred to explicitly as Kings in ''Beowulf'' but have been identified with kings in other traditions. These include:
* [[Halga]], youngest son of Healfdene and brother of Hroðgar
* [[Hroðulf]], Hroðgar's nephew and thus probably the son of [[Halga]]. Hroðulf is identified with Rolf Krage/Hrólfr Kraki in other traditions. Scholars say that the poem foreshadows Hroðulf's ascension to the throne after the events of the poem, by killing his cousins [[Hreðric and Hroðmund]].
* [[Heoroweard]], son of Heorogar. Heoroweard is identified with Hiartuar/Hjörvarðr, who overthrew Rolf Krage in other traditions
* [[Hreðric and Hroðmund|Hreðric]], son of Hroðgar, who is identified with [[Hrœrekr Ringslinger]] by scholars such as [[Axel Olrik]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bartleby.com/lit-hub/volume-i-english-from-the-beginnings-to-the-cycles-of-romance/3-beowulf-scandinavian-traditions-personality-of-the-hero-origin-and-antiquity-of-the-poem-the-religious-element/|title=§ 3. Beowulf: Scandinavian Traditions; Personality of the Hero; Origin and Antiquity of the Poem; the Religious Element|date=25 June 2022|website=Collection at Bartleby.com|accessdate=16 April 2025}}</ref><ref>"Olrik has about a page of comment on him [in ''Danmarks Heltedigtning'', by Axel Olrik, vol. I, 1903, pp. 173-174], in which he shows that he ([[Hreðric and Hroðmund|Hrethric]], Hrothgar's son, in ''Beowulf'') was originally regarded as Hroar's son, but, for reasons that need not here be rehearsed, became a fluctuating character. The ''Skjọldungasaga'' has made him the son of Ingjald."<br>[[Oscar L. Olson|OLSON, O. L.]] (1916). "[http://www.jstor.org/stable/40914974 THE RELATION OF THE HRÓLFS SAGA KRAKA AND THE BJARKARÍMUR TO BEOWULF]". Publications of the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study, 3(1), 1–104.</ref>

''Beowulf'' also refers to a rival family of rulers called the [[Heaðobards]], who are not kings of Denmark in this work but are depicted as kings of Denmark when they appear in later surviving works from the continent. These are:
* [[Fróði|Froda]], who killed or was killed by Healfdene
* [[Ingeld]], Froda's son, who married Hroðgar's daughter [[Freawaru]] in an attempt to settle the feud between their families, but would turn against Hroðgar after the events of the poem

===''The Life of Willibrord''===
The ''Vita Willibrordi archiepiscopi Traiectensis'', or ''The Life of Willibrord, Archbishop of Utrecht'', is a late 8th century [[hagiography]] of [[Willibrord]], written by the [[Northumbria]]n scholar [[Alcuin]]. This work relates how Willibrord became a missionary to the Danes and met their ruler, [[Ongendus]], described as "a man more savage than any wild beast and harder than stone".<ref>[https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/Alcuin-willbrord.asp Medieval Sourcebook: Alucin (735-804): The Life of Willibrord, c.796]</ref><ref>Mischa Hooker, "[https://www.augustana.net/users/mischahooker/scanchron/Alcuin.html Alcuin]", accessed 26 May 2025</ref>

===''Widsith''===
''[[Widsith]]'' is an Old English poem that survives in the 10th century [[Exeter Book]], but may significantly predate it. The first of three [[Thula (poetic genre)|thulas]] in the poem presents a list of kings, the most notable example of a king from each of several tribes. The thula says that '''Alewih''' was known as king of the Danes, and describes him as the bravest of all men listed but that he was defeated by [[Offa of Angel|Offa]], ruler of the Angles. The thula also lists '''Sigehere''' as ruler of the "Sea-Danes".

''Widsith'' also mentions [[Hroðulf]] ("Hroþwulf") and [[Hroðgar]] as an uncle and nephew who held the longest peace together, and [[Ingeld]] as a Heaðobard Viking ("wicinga cynn") whom they defeated at Heorot. None of these three are explicitly mentioned as Danish in ''Widsith'', but appear as Danish in other works (see the section on ''Beowulf'', above).

==Icelandic sources==
Danish royal history were significant influences on Icelandic writing and poetry in the 12th century, perhaps because of the influence of [[Lund Cathedral|Lund]] (then part of Denmark) on the education of Icelanders at the time. (Lund was the [[archbishop|archiepiscopal seat]] for Iceland until [[1153]].) Many surviving Icelandic works are influenced by, or wholly based on, a lost work called ''[[Skjöldunga saga]]'', a [[Kings' sagas|kings' saga]] about the [[Scyldings|Skjöldung]] family of Danish kings, which was written in the late 12th century ({{circa}} 1180–1200).<ref name=grottasongr/>

=== ''Gróttasöngr'' ===
''[[Gróttasöngr]]'' ("Grótti's song") is an [[Eddic poem]] that survives only in certain manuscripts of [[Snorri Sturluson]]'s ''[[Prose Edda]]'', and as such as not always included in the ''[[Poetic Edda]]''. It most likely dates from the early 12th century, perhaps shortly before [[1140]].<ref name=grottasongr>Clive Tolley (2008). "[http://www.vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/Grottasongr.pdf Grottasõngr: The Song of Grotti]", ''Viking Society for Northern Research'', London, ISBN 978-0-903521-78-9 p.31</ref>

The song is sung by two slave-girls, Fenja and Menja, who later identify themselves as the kin of bergrisi ([[Jötunn|jötnar]]). They are the slaves of King [[Fróði]], son of [[Friðleifr]]. The poem itself does not specify that these men were kings of Denmark, but Snorri's prose introduction to the poem (in ''[[Skáldskaparmál]]'') says that Friðleifr was the son of [[Skjöldr]] (himself a son of [[Odin]]), whose lands "were in what is now [i.e. in Snorri's time] called Denmark, but was then known as [[Gotland]]". The prose introduction also says that Fróði's reign coincided with the reign of [[Augustus|Caesar Augustus]] and the birth of [[Jesus|Christ]]; in Scandinavia, the resulting peace was ascribed to Fróði and known as [[Fróði's Peace]].

A later stanza of ''Gróttasöngr'' prophesies that "[[Yrsa]]'s son" (identified in other works as [[Hrólfr Kraki]]) would take vengeance on Fróði for the killing of [[Halfdan|Hálfdan]] (or, as plural, the half-Danes). (Halfdan is the name of several Danish kings in other sources.)

*[[Skjöldr]]
*[[Friðleifr]]
*[[Fróði]]

=== ''Ynglinga saga'' ===
''[[Ynglinga saga]]'' is a [[Kings' saga]] written around [[1225]] by [[Snorri Sturluson]] (1179–1241). ''Ynglinga saga'' is the first saga in ''[[Heimskringla]]'', an extensive history of Swedish and Norwegian kings, focused on the [[Yngling]] family of [[List of legendary kings of Sweden|legendary Swedish kings]] and their descent from the euhemerised [[Odin]]. While the main focus of ''Ynglinga saga'' is on the kings of Sweden, several Danish kings are also mentioned, and ''Ynglinga saga'' explicitly references ''[[Skjöldunga saga]]'' as a source for its treatment of these. Because the Danish kings are not the focus of the work, the genealogy of kings is incomplete and some generations are not accounted for.

The kings of Denmark mentioned in ''Ynglinga saga'' are:<ref>[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Heimskringla/Ynglinga_Saga Ynglinga Saga], English translation by Samuel Laing (1844) via Wikisource</ref><ref>[http://vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/Heimskringla%20I%20revised.pdf Snorri Sturluson Heimskringla Volume 1, second edition], translated by Alison Finlay and Anthony Faulkes</ref>

* [[Fróði|Friðfróði]], aka Fróði, who ruled in [[Lejre]] and in whose home [[Fjölnir]] drowned in mead
* [[Dan (king)|Dan ''hinn mikilláti'']] (the haughty), brother of Queen Drótt, who was daughter of King Danp (implying that Danr is Danp's son also)
* [[Fróði|Fróði ''hinn mikilláti'']] (the haughty), or ''hinn friðsami'' (peace-loving), son of Dan
* [[Halfdan|Hálfdan]] and [[Friðleifr]], Fróði's sons. Hálfdan conquered Sweden from [[Aun|King Aun]] and ruled it for 25 years before dying in his bed.
* [[Ale the Strong|Áli ''hinn frækni'']] (the bold), son of Friðleifr. Áli conquered Sweden from [[Aun|King Aun]] 25 years after Hálfdan's death, and ruled it for another 25 years before being killed by [[Starkad|Starkad the Old]].
* [[Fróði|Fróði ''hinn frækni'']] (the bold)
* [[Halga|Helgi]], son of Hálfdan
* [[Hrólfr kraki]], Helgi's son with [[Yrsa]]
* [[Ivar Vidfamne|Ívarr víðfaðmi]], who conquered all of Sweden, Denmark, and the East lands (Austrríki), as well as much of Saxland and a fifth of England

In addition, some individuals are mentioned that appear as kings of Denmark in other versions. [[Skjöldr]] is mentioned as a son of Odin who married [[Gefjun|Gefjon]] and lived with her at [[Lejre]], but he isn't called a king and the relationship between him and later kings isn't explicit. The ''[[Fróði's Peace|Fróða friðr]]'', often known in English as "Fróði's Peace" and attributed to the reign of the Danish king [[Fróði|Friðfróði]] is instead said to take place a generation earlier during the reign of the euhemerised [[Freyr]] in Sweden.

=== ''Sögubrot'' ===
{{Kings of Sögubrot family tree}}
''[[Sögubrot af nokkrum fornkonungum|Sögubrot af nokkurum fornkonungum í Dana- ok Svíaveldi]]'' ("Fragment of a Saga about Certain Early Kings in Denmark and Sweden", often abbreviated to ''Sögubrot'') is a fragment of an [[Old Norse|Old Icelandic]] [[legendary saga]], believed to be a part of a younger [[literary redaction|redaction]] (written around [[1250]] by [[Óláfr Þórðarson]]<ref name=lassen>Annette Lassen (3 June 2016). "[https://manuscript.ku.dk/motm/skjldunga-saga/ A fragment of the younger redaction of the lost Skjöldunga saga]". The Arnamagnæan Institute, University of Copenhagen</ref>) of the ''[[Skjöldunga saga]]''. The fragment begins in the middle of a discussion between the [[Scania]]n king [[Ivar Vidfamne]] and his daughter [[Auðr the Deep-Minded (Ívarsdóttir)|Auðr]], and continues to the reign of Auðr's son [[Harald Wartooth]], where it breaks off because of missing pages. It resumes at the end of Harald's reign, recounting the [[Battle of Brávellir]] and the reign of [[Sigurd Hring]].

Kings of Denmark, or of individual Danish regions, who appear in Sögubrot include:<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100908081803/http://www.oe.eclipse.co.uk/nom/Fragment.htm Fragment of a Saga about Certain Early Kings in Denmark and Sweden], English translation by Peter Tunstall</ref><ref>[https://www.snerpa.is/net/forn/sogubrot.htm Sögubrot af nokkurum fornkonungum í Dana ok Svíaveldi], in Old Norse edited by Zoe Borovsky</ref>
* [[Helgi the Sharp (Zealand)|Helgi]] (also referred to as ''Helgi inn hvassi'', "Helgi the Sharp"), brother of Hrærekr; co-king of [[Zealand]] with his brother
* [[Hrœrekr Ringslinger|Hrærekr]], brother of Helgi and husband of [[Auðr the Deep-Minded (Ívarsdóttir)|Auðr]]; co-king of Zealand with his brother (a separate [[Hrœrekr Ringslinger|Hrærekr Ringslinger]] is named as his grandson)
* [[Ivar Vidfamne]], father of Auðr; king in [[Sweden]], who becomes king of Zealand also after turning Helgi and Hrærekr against each other; also ruled Jutland and parts of England that [[Halfdan the Valiant|Halfdan the Brave]] had previously ruled ([[Northumbria]])
* [[Harald Wartooth]], son of Hrærekr and Auðr; he became king after Ivar and came to rule all of Denmark (Zealand, Jutland, Scania) and Sweden, parts of England (Northumbria), and Gautland
* [[Sigurd Hring]], nephew of Harald Wartooth; initially made ruler of Sweden and West Gautland by Harald, then became king of Denmark and Sweden after Harald's death, but lost Northumbria to Adalbrikt; he is known almost exclusively as King Hring until he succeeds Harald, when he starts being called Sigurd Hring without explanation

The character of [[Heiðr|Heid]], who became queen after the Battle of Brávellir according to ''[[Chronicon Lethrense]]'', is mentioned in ''Sögubrot'' but only as a [[shield-maiden]] in Harald's army. Ragnarr is named as a son of Sigurd Hring with his wife Alfhild of [[Álfheimr (region)|Álfheimr]]; although he does not become king before the fragment cuts off, this is a reference to [[Ragnar Lodbrok]]. [[Halfdan the Valiant]], [[Guðröðr of Scania|Gudrod]] and [[Ingjald]] are mentioned in passing as having preceded Ivar Vidfamne, but their relationship to him and what lands they may have ruled in Denmark or Sweden are not explicit (it is only mentioned that Halfdan ruled in Northumbria).

===Resen manuscript===
{{Resen genealogy of the Skjöldungs}}
There is a collection of regnal lists and genealogies in the manuscript called AM 1 e β II fol., 85v–91r, which is a copy made by [[Árni Magnússon]] of three pages of a vellum manuscript belonging to the Danish scholar [[Peder Hansen Resen|P. H. Resen]] (1625–88). The vellum manuscript was written around [[1254]], but destroyed in the [[Copenhagen Fire of 1728]], and only Árni Magnússon's copy remains. The compilation as a whole is the oldest one of its kind to survive from medieval Iceland (though only recorded in a late copy). One of the three lists on the second page is a genealogy of the [[Scylding|Skjöldungs]], which was presumably derived either from ''Skjöldunga saga'' or from a written genealogy also used by the author of the saga.<ref name="Faulkes">{{cite book| last=Faulkes |first=Anthony |chapter=The Genealogies and Regnal Lists in a Manuscript in Resen's Library |title=Sjötíu ritgerðir helgaðar Jakobi Benediktssyni 20. júlí 1977| location=Reykjavik |year=1977 |pages=170–190 |url=http://www.vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/Genealogies.pdf}}</ref><ref name=resen>{{cite journal|last=Faulkes |first=Anthony |title=The Earliest Icelandic Genealogies and Regnal Lists |journal=The Saga Book of the Viking Society |volume=29 |pages=115–119 |year=2005 |url=http://www.vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/Saga-Book%20XXIX.pdf}}</ref>

The list (excluding the progenitor [[Odin]]), is as follows (note that some individuals appear more than once):<ref name=resen/>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Skjöldr|Sciavldr]], Odinn's son
*[[Fridleif]], his son
*[[Fróði|Friðfroði]], his son
*[[Friðleifr]], his son
*Havarr handrame, his son
*Froði, his son
*[[Wermund|Varmundr vitri]], his son
*Olafr litillati, his son
*[[Dan (king)|Danr mikilati]], after whom Denmark was named
*[[Fróði|Froði friðsami]], his son
*[[Friðleifr]], his son
*[[Fróði|Froði enn fręcni]], his son
*[[Ingeld|Ingialdr]], his son and foster-son of [[Starkad|Starcaðar]]
*[[Halfdan]], his brother
*[[Halga|Helgi]] and [[Hrothgar|Hroarr]], his sons
*[[Hrólfr Kraki|Hrolfr kraci]], Helgi's son
*[[Hrœrekr Ringslinger|Hręrecr hnoggvanbavgi]], Ingiall's son and foster-son of [[Starkad|Starcadar]]
*Froði, his son
*Halfdan, his son
*[[Hrœrekr Ringslinger|Hręrecr Sløngvanbavgi]], his son
*[[Harald Wartooth|Haralldr Hilldi tavnn]], his son
*[[Sigurd Ring|Sigurðr hringr]].
*[[Ragnar Lodbrok|Ragnarr loðbroc]], his son
*[[Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye|Sigurðr ormr i avga]], his son
*[[Harthacnut I of Denmark|Havrða knutr]], his son
*[[Gorm the Old|Gormr gamli]], his son
*[[Harald Bluetooth|Haralldr]], his son
*[[Sweyn Forkbeard|Sveinn tivgv sceg]], his son
*[[Cnut|Knvtr riki]], his son

*[[Valdar|Valldarr milldi]], Hroar's son
*[[Harald the Old|Haralldr]], his son
*[[Halfdan the Valiant|Halfdan snialli]], his son
*[[Ivar Vidfamne|Ivarr viðfaðmi]], his son
*[[Auðr the Deep-Minded (Ívarsdóttir)|Avðr divpvðga]], his daughter
*[[Harald Wartooth|Haralldr hillditǫnn]], her son
*[[Randver]], [[Ráðbarðr|Radbardr]]'s son
*[[Sigurd Ring|Sigurð hringr]], his son
{{div col end}}

=== ''Ragnarssona þáttr'' ===
{{Kings of Ragnarssona þáttr family tree}}
''[[Ragnarssona þáttr]]'' ("The Yarn of Ragnar's Sons") is a [[þáttr]] (a short story, literally a strand of rope or yarn) about [[Ragnar Lodbrok]] and his descendants, who became kings in several lands in Scandinavia. Its sources include the lost ''[[Skjöldunga saga]]'' and a version of ''Ragnars saga'', either the surviving ''[[Tale of Ragnar Lodbrok|Ragnars saga loðbrókar]]'' or another that has been lost. ''Ragnarssona þáttr'' was probably composed by [[Haukr Erlendsson]], and is preserved in his hand in the ''[[Hauksbók]]'' manuscript,<ref name=mcturk>Rory McTurk (2013). "Review of ''Vikings in the West: the Legend of Ragnarr Loðbrók and his sons'' by Elizabeth Ashman Rowe" in "[http://www.vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/Saga-Book%20XXXVII.pdf SAGA-BOOK Vol. XXXVII]" p. 98; referencing Bjarni Guðnason. "Gerðir og ritþróun Ragnars sögu loðbrókar". In Einars bók. Afmæloiskveðja til Einars Ól. Sveinssonar (Reykjavík, 1969), 28–37; Íslenzk fornrit XXXIV (1982), xliv–viii).</ref> which has been dated to between [[1302]] and [[1310]].<ref>Stefán Karlsson, "[https://ojs.setur.fo/index.php/frit/article/view/348 Aldur Hauksbókar]" ("Age of Hauksbók"), (University of the Faroe Islands "Fróðskaparrit" 13. 1964, 114–21)</ref>

''Ragnarssona þáttr'' tells how King Ragnar (referred to only once in the tale as "Loðbrók") became king of Sweden and Denmark after the death of his father, [[Sigurd Ring|King Hring]]. Ragnar had two sons by his first wife [[Þóra borgarhjǫrtr|Thora Hart-of-the-Town]], who were Eirik and Agnar, and four sons by his second wife [[Aslaug]] or Randalin, who were [[Ivar the Boneless]], [[Bjorn Ironside]], [[Hvitserk]], and [[Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye]]. In Denmark, the genealogy continues through Sigurd to [[Harald Bluetooth]]. The tale ends with [[Harald Fairhair]] becoming the first ruler of a united Norway.<ref>[http://www.germanicmythology.com/FORNALDARSAGAS/ThattrRagnarsSonar.html The Tale of Ragnar's sons in English translation by Peter Tunstall with Facing Old Norse Text]</ref>

Kings of Denmark or its constituent kingdoms mentioned in ''Ragnarssona þáttr'' are:
*[[Sigurd Hring|Hring]], from whom Ragnar inherited Denmark and Sweden
*[[Ragnar Lodbrok|Ragnar]], son of Hring. He ruled in Denmark and Sweden
*[[Ivar the Boneless]], eldest and leader of the sons of Ragnar by [[Aslaug]], who conquered Zealand, Reidgotaland, Gotland, and Öland and all the smaller islands in the sea during Ragnar's life, leading to conflict between them. After Ragnar's death, he instead became king of [[Northumbria]] and his brothers took the lands on the continent.
*[[Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye]], youngest son of Ragnar by Aslaug, who after Ragnar's death came to rule Zealand, Scania, Halland, Oslo Fjord, and Agder as far as Lindesnes and a good portion of the Norwegian Uplands
*[[Harthacnut I of Denmark|Knut]], aka Horda-Knut, who succeeded his father in Zealand, Scania and Halland, but Oslo Fjord broke away from his rule.
*[[Harald Klak|Klakk-Harald]], King of Jutland, father-in-law of Gorm
*[[Gorm the Old|Gorm]], son of Knut, who governed the lands of Ragnar's sons while they were away at war, and later became king after the death of Knut. He also inherited Jutland from his step-father Klakk-Harald
*[[Harald Bluetooth|Harald]], son of Gorm. He ruled in Denmark.

===''Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar en mesta''===
''[[Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar en mesta]]'' ("The Greatest Saga of Olaf Tryggvason") is a saga compiled from numerous other sources, likely in the second quarter of the [[14th century]]. It was modelled on the ''[[Óláfs saga helga]]'' from [[Snorri Sturluson]]'s ''[[Heimskringla]]'', but focused on an earlier king Olaf, namely [[Olaf Tryggvason]], a [[King of Norway]] from the end of the 10th century most famous for converting Norway to Christianity.<ref name=halldorsson>Ólafur Halldórsson (2001). "[http://www.vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/Olafur2.pdf Text by Snorri Sturluson in Óláfs Saga Tryggvasonar en Mesta]", ''Viking Society for Northern Research''</ref>

The core sources used are Snorri's ''Heimskringla'', particularly Snorri's version of ''[[Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar]]'' but also ''[[Ynglinga saga]]'' ([[#Ynglinga saga|see above]]), ''Hálfdanar saga svarta'', ''[[Haralds saga hárfagra]]'' and ''Óláfs saga helga''. This is used as a framework into which material has been added from several other sagas and other tales, including ''[[Hallfreðar saga]]'',<ref name=halldorsson/><ref name=krakow>Annett Krakow (2019). [https://core.ac.uk/download/270093418.pdf The King and His Retainers: Some Notes on Interpolations in the Flateyjarbók Version of ''Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar en mesta'']. "Średniowiecze Polskie i Powszechne" T. 11 (2019), s. 25-50, DOI 10.31261/SPiP.2019.15.02</ref><ref name=sephton>J. Sephton, M.A. (translation and introduction) (1895). [https://archive.org/details/sagaofkingolaftr00olafiala/page/n5/mode/2up The saga of King Olaf Tryggwason who reigned over Norway A. D. 995 to A. D. 1000]</ref> ''[[Færeyinga saga]]'', ''[[Grænlendinga saga]]'',<ref name=krakow/> ''[[Laxdæla saga]]'', ''[[Landnamabok]]'' and ''[[Kristni saga]]''.<ref name=sephton/>

As well as the life of Olaf Tryggvason, drawn from sources including ''[[Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar]]'' from ''Heimskringla'', the ''mesta'' saga also tells the story of Olaf's ancestors and predecessors, in particular the Danish kings leading up to [[Harald Bluetooth]] (aka Harald Gormsson), who was king of Norway before Olaf's accession. Some of these details are from ''Heimskringla'', particularly of kings descended from [[Ragnar Lodbrok]] mentioned in the first chapters of the work, but a later section beginning at chapter 60 tells of kings before Ragnar, and is more consistent with the kings identified by [[Adam of Bremen]] than with those listed by Snorri. Also mentioned, briefly during the story of Gorm, is king [[Gnupa]], described as the king of [[Jutland]] that Gorm defeated as part of his unification of Denmark.<ref name=sephton/>

Legendary kings of Denmark, or constituent kingdoms of Denmark (generally Jutland where specified), mentioned in ''Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar en mesta'', include (in the order first mentioned as king, with chapter references in square brackets):<ref name=sephton/>
*[[Gorm the Old|Gorm]], King of Denmark [1, 62]
*Eric, King of Jutland, father of [[Ragnhild the Mighty|Ragnhild the Great]] [2]
*[[Harald Bluetooth|Harold Gormson]], King of Denmark [19]
*[[Gudfred|Godefrid]], King in Jutland when [[Charlemagne]] reigned [60]
*[[Hemming of Denmark|Hemming]], Godefrid's brother's son, who made peace with Charlemagne at the [[Eider (river)|river Egda]] [60]
*[[Sigfred (Danish king 812)|Sigfrod]] and [[Anulo|Ring Anulo]], who contended for sovereignty of Jutland [60]
*[[Harald Klak|Harold]], who was baptised after winning a battle against [[Reginfrid|Reinfrid]], son of Godefrid [60] (a separate figure, Clack-Harold, is called the Earl of Jutland [1] and [62])
*[[Horik I|Harek]], Harold's brother's son, who had been baptised with him. Harek ruled Jutland until [[862]], when he warred against his brother's son, Guthorm, and both died along with the whole royal family except Harek [60]
*[[Horik II|Harek]], the sole royal survivor of Harek's war with Guthorm. Baptised by Bishop Anscarius, but Harek rejected Christianity after Anscarius' death. [60]
*[[Sigfred and Halfdan|Sigfrod and Halfdan]], heathen kings after Harek. Sigfrod, or another Danish King of the same name, along with King Gudfrod and the sons of [[Ragnar Lodbrok]], fought with the Frankish emperors until their defeat by Arnaldus (possibly [[Arnulf of Carinthia|Arnulf]]) around the year 900 [60]
**Gudfrod, mentioned as part of the host with Sigfrod [60]
*Frodi, King in Jutland twelve years after the defeat of the Danish host by the Franks, baptised by Biship Huno [60]
*[[Helge (Danish king)|Helgi]], who succeeded Sigfrod and Halfdan, but was slain in a battle against [[Olof the Brash|Olaf, King of the Swedes]], who then ruled Denmark [60]
*[[Olof the Brash|Olaf]], who ruled a long time over Denmark and Sweden after defeating Helgi, and died a natural death [60]
*[[Gyrd and Gnupa|Gyrd and Knut]], who succeeded Olaf in Denmark [60]
*[[Sigtrygg Gnupasson|Siggeir]], who succeeded Gyrd and Knut [60]
*[[Sigurd Ring]], father of Ragnar Lodbrok. Sigurd Ring ruled the empire of the Swedes and the Danes, and later conquered [[Northumbria|Northimbraland]] [61]
*Olaf the Englishman, who was king of Northimbraland appointed by Sigurd Ring, then after being forced out he was made ruler of Jutland as a tributary under Sigurd Ring and later Ragnar Lodbrok [61]
*[[Ragnar Lodbrok]] [61]
*Grim the Gray, son of Olaf and tributary king of Jutland [61]
*Audulf the Strong, son of Grim and tributary king of Jutland under Ragnar Lodbrok [61]
*Gorm the Foolish, son of Audulf and tributary king of Jutland [61]
*Knut the Foundling aka Thrall-Knut, foster son of Gorm the Foolish. Before Gorm died, he caused Knut to be made King over the realm he held in Jutland [61]
*Gorm, son of Knut. He reigned subject to the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok, and was regarded with special favour by [[Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye|Sigurd Snake i'th'eye]] [61]
*[[Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye|Sigurd Snake i'th'eye]], ruler of Zealand and Skaney [62]
*[[Harthacnut I of Denmark|Horda-Knut]], son of [[Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye|Sigurd Snake i'th'eye]] and Blœia (daughter of King Ella), and foster-son of King Gorm. He inherited Zealand and Skaney from Sigurd. Father of Gorm the Old [62]
*[[Gnupa]], a king in [[Reidgotaland]], now called Jutland, defeated by Gorm the Old [62]
*Silfrascall, another king in Jutland defeated by Gorm the Old [62]

=== ''Hrólfs saga kraka'' ===
{{Kings of Hrólfs saga kraka family tree}}
''[[Hrólfs saga kraka|Hrólfs saga kraka ok kappa hans]]'' ("The Saga of Hrolf Kraki and His Champions") is a late [[legendary saga]] that tells the story of [[Hrólfr Kraki]], including information about his family, the Skjöldungs (Kings of Denmark). It was composed in its surviving form by the year 1400.<ref>{{cite book|last=Byock|first=Jesse L. (trans.)|title=The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki|year=1998|place=London|publisher=Penguin|isbn=0-14-043593-X}}, "[https://viking.ucla.edu/hrolf/abouthrolf.html About the Saga]"</ref>

The saga begins with the brothers [[Halfdan]] and [[Fróði]], who are called Skjöldungs and the sons of kings, but whose parentage is never given. After Fróði overthrows Halfdan, he is overthrown in turn by the brothers [[Hrothgar|Hróarr]] and [[Halga|Helgi]]. They are jointly considered kings, but Helgi rules Denmark while Hróarr travels to [[Northumbria]] and later becomes king there, trading his claim over Denmark for a fine ring from Helgi (possession of which leads to strife with their nephew Hrókr, a version of [[Hrœrekr Ringslinger]]<ref>"Hrok and Hrörik are the same person. According to the ''Hrólfssaga'', he is the son of Sævil and Signy. Olrik has about a page of comment on him [in ''Danmarks Heltedigtning'', by Axel Otrik, vol. I, 1903, pp. 173-174], in which he shows that he (Hrethric, Hrothgar's son, in ''Beowulf'') was originally regarded as Hroar's son, but, for reasons that need not here be rehearsed, became a fluctuating character. The ''Skjọldungasaga'' has made him the son of Ingjald."<br>[[Oscar L. Olson|OLSON, O. L.]] (1916). "[http://www.jstor.org/stable/40914974 THE RELATION OF THE HRÓLFS SAGA KRAKA AND THE BJARKARÍMUR TO BEOWULF]". Publications of the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study, 3(1), 1–104.</ref>). [[Hrólfr Kraki]] is, again, Helgi's son by incest, and comes to rule Denmark after Helgi's death. When Hrólfr himself is defeated by the forces of his half-sister [[Skuld (princess)|Skuld]] and her husband [[Heoroweard|King Hjörvarðr]], it is Skuld (not Hjörvarðr as in other sources) who takes control of the kingdom; when she is deposed in turn, the land comes under the rule of Hrólfr's daughters Skúr and Drífa.

=== Arngrímur Jónsson ===
The most complete surviving source for the content of the ''[[Skjöldunga saga]]'' (which probably dated to the end of the twelfth century) is a [[Latin]] rendering by the Icelandic historian [[Arngrímur Jónsson]] (1568–1648) in his ''Rerum Danicarum fragmenta'' (''Fragments of Danish history'') from 1596. (The saga manuscript that Arngrímur Jónsson used as his source was lost in the 17th century.)<ref name=lassen/>

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Skjöld|Scioldus]]
* Fridleifus I
* Frodo I
* [[Herleifus]]
* Havardus
* Leifus
* Herleifus
* Hunleifus
* Aleifus
* Oddleifus
* Geirleifus
* Gunnleifus
* Frodo II
* [[Wermund|Vermundus]]
* Dan I
* Dan II
* Frodo III
* Fridleifus II
* Frodo IV
* [[Ingeld|Ingjaldus]] [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14878/14878-0.txt]
* [[Halga|Helgo]] and [[Hroðgar|Roas]]
* [[Hrólfr Kraki|Rolfo Krake]]
* [[Heoroweard|Hiorvardus]]
* [[Hrœrekr Ringslinger|Rærecus]]
{{div col end}}

== Frankish sources ==
===Histories of the Franks===
The [[6th century]] historian [[Gregory of Tours]], in Book 3 of his ''Historia Francorum'' ("History of the Franks"), refers to a Danish king named '''Chlochilaicus''', who led a raid into the [[Frankish Empire|Frankish Kingdoms]] during the reign of [[Theuderic I|Theodericus I]] (511 to 534), and was killed in the counter-attack by Theodericus' son, [[Theudebert I|Theodebertus]].<ref>{{citation |last=Gregory of Tours |author-link=Gregory of Tours |title=Decem Libri Historiarum III 3| url=http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/gregorytours/gregorytours3.shtml}} at [[The Latin Library]]</ref> The [[8th century]] ''[[Liber Historiae Francorum]]'' tells the same story, referring to the Danish King as '''Chochilaicus'''. (The same story also appears in the 7th or 8th century ''[[Liber Monstrorum]]'' and in the poem ''[[Beowulf]]'', but in these works the raiding Viking king is named [[Hygelac]], and described as King of the Geats rather than King of the Danes.)<ref>[http://www.heorot.dk/beowulf-rede-notes.html#e1204 Explanatory notes to ''Beowulf'', "1204-1216, 2355f., 2502-2509, 2915-2920: Hygelac's raid on Frisia"], including ''Historia Francorum'', ''Liber Historiae Francorum'' and ''Liber Monstrorum'' in Latin and in English translation</ref>

''[[Gesta Danorum]]'' refers to two characters named [[Huglecus]], one as King of the Danes (see above), and another in Book VI as a King of the Irish who was attacked and defeated by the Danish forces of [[Haki|Hakon]] and [[Starkad]].

===''Royal Frankish Annals''===
The ''[[Royal Frankish Annals]]'' are a series of Latin [[annal]]s of the [[Carolingian dynasty]] year-by-year between 741 and 829. Several annals refer to kings of the Danes, as follows:<ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015015186805&seq=105 Carolingian chronicles: Royal Frankish annals and Nithard's Histories], translated by Bernhard Walter Scholz, with Barbara Rogers</ref>
* [[Sigfred]] ("Sigifrid"): In [[782]], King Sigfred sends a group of "Nordmanni", Halptani and his companions, to a synod held by [[Charlemagne]]. (Sigfred is not explicitly referred to as a king of the Danes in this work, but the others mentioned are.)
* [[Gudfred]] ("Godofrid"): Gudfred was mentioned as King of the Danes in the annals of [[804]], [[AD 808|808]], [[809]], and [[810]]. His reign was characterised by a worsening relationship and finally conflict with Charlemagne's Franks. Gudfred was killed by one of his own companions in 810.
* [[Hemming of Denmark|Hemming]]: Hemming was the son of Gudfred's brother, and became king in 810. He made peace with Charlemagne in [[811]]. In [[812]], he was found dead.
* [[Sigfred (Danish king 812)|Sigfred]] ("Sigifrid") and [[Anulo]]: Two rival claimants to the Danish throne in 812, Sigfred was a nephew of Gudfred and Anulo was a nephew of Harald ("Heriold"). Neither succeeded to the throne as both were killed in combat, but Anulo's faction won and the throne passed to his brothers [[Harald Klak|Harald]] and [[Reginfrid]].
* [[Reginfrid]]: Reginfrid was co-king of Denmark with his brother Harald from 812. They petitioned the Emperor ([[Louis the Pious]]) to return their brother [[Hemming Halfdansson|Hemming]], but after he was returned in [[813]] they were attacked by Danish forces of the sons of Gudfred and forced into exile. In [[814]] they returned to retake the kingdom, but Reginfrid was killed.
* [[Harald Klak|Harald]] ("Hariold"): Harald initially ruled with his brother Reginfrid from 812. After being forced out of Denmark, and the death of his brother in 814, Harald sought refuge and support from the Emperor. He continued to harry his rivals, the sons of Gudfred, and in [[817]] they contacted the Emperor offering peace in exchange for Harald; the Emperor refused. The Emperor helped him retake Denmark in [[819]] (two sons of Gudfred defected to him). He remained in conflict with them as mentioned in [[821]], [[822]] and [[823]]. In [[826]], he was baptised as a Christian in St. Alban's. He was forced out of the country in [[827]].
* [[Horik I|Horik]] ("Hohric"): One of the sons of Gudfred who took control of Denmark in 813 and battled with Harald for it until 827, Horik is only mentioned in the annal for 827, before the annals conclude in 829.

===''Vita Karoli Magni''===
''[[Vita Karoli Magni]]'' ("The Life of Charlemagne") is a biography of [[Charlemagne]], [[King of the Franks]], written by [[Einhard]] in the first half of the [[9th century]], with dates of composition suggested between [[817]] and [[833]].<ref>{{cite book | last = McKitterick | first = R. | title = History and Memory in the Carolingian World | publisher = Cambridge University Press | year = 2004 | location = Cambridge | page = 30 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EWj0ujGyGewC | isbn = 978-0-521-53436-9 }}</ref> Sections 14 and 32 refer to the Danes and in particular their king [[Gudfred]] ("Godofridus"), against whom Charlemagne waged the last war he ever fought. Gudfred considered [[Frisia]] and [[Saxony]] his provinces, had made the [[Obotrites|Abodriti]] into his tributaries, and boasted that he would attack the Franks in [[Aachen|Aix]]. However, he was killed by one of his own followers before this could happen.<ref>Mischa Hooker, "[https://www.augustana.net/users/mischahooker/scanchron/Einhard.html Einhard, Vita Karoli Magni (Life of Charlemagne)]", accessed 26 May 2025</ref>

===''Vita Ansgarii''===
''[[Vita Ansgarii]]'' is a 9th-century [[hagiography]] of saint [[Ansgar]], written by the East Frankish archbishop [[Rimbert]]. ''Vita Ansgarii'' mentions two Danish kings visited by Ansgar:
*[[Horik I|Horic the elder]] (in chapters XXIV, XXVI and XXXI), and
*[[Horik II|Horic the younger]] (in chapters XXXI and XXXII).
Although both kings were pagan, they had good relations with Ansgar and permitted the worship and preaching of Christianity in Denmark (although when the younger Horic first took power, a certain headman had urged him to persecute the Christians).<ref>[https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/anskar.asp Medieval Sourcebook: Rimbert: Life of Anskar, the Apostle of the North, 801-865]</ref>

===''Annales Fuldenses''===
The ''[[Annales Fuldenses]]'', or ''Annals of [[Fulda]]'', are 9th century [[East Frankish]] chronicles up to the year [[901]]. Up to 830, they are a compilation that draws on earlier materials, especially the [[Royal Frankish Annals]] ([[#Royal Frankish Annals|see above]]) and the [[Annales laureshamenses|Annals of Lorsch]], but after that the annals consist of information not found in any known sources. Several kings of Denmark are mentioned, including:<ref>{{Cite book|last=Reuter|first=Timothy|author-link=Timothy Reuter|title=The Annals of Fulda|year=1992|location=Manchester|publisher=Manchester University Press|isbn=9780719034589|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=icdRAQAAIAAJ}}</ref>
* [[Harald Klak]] ("Hariold"): Mentioned in the [[852]] entry as having previously "fled the anger" of [[Horik I|Horic, king of the Danes]], and having been Christianised, and being killed as a potential traitor by his countrymen.
* [[Horik I]] ("Horic"): Mentioned in [[852]]. In [[854]], he fought a civil war against his brother's son, Gudurm, in which he and both factions of the royal family perished, except for one boy (likely, but not explicitly, [[Horik II|Horic the Child]]).
* [[Horik II]] ("Horic"): Ceded land between the sea and the [[Eider (river)|Eider]] to [[Rorik of Dorestad]] in [[857]].
* [[Sigfred and Halfdan|Sigfred]] ("Sigifrid" and "Siegfried"): Attended a peace conference near [[Worms, Germany|Worms]] in [[873]], which his brother [[Sigfred and Halfdan|Halfdan]] ("Halbden") followed up on by messenger. In [[882]], Sigifrid and the emperor were at war; the kings of the Northmen, Sigifrid and [[Godfrid, Duke of Frisia|Godafrid]], and the princes, Wurm and Hals, were [[Siege of Asselt|besieged by the Franks]], but Sigifrid and Emperor Charles made peace and parted as friends, with gifts.<ref group="notes">Translator [[Timothy Reuter]] suggested that the identification of Sigifrid as the king to make peace with the emperor may have been a scribal error, and that from context it is more likely to have been Godafrid.</ref> In [[886]], Sigifrid brought a host of Northmen to reinforce Northmen who war warring with the Franks. In [[891]], a [[Battle of Leuven (891)|battle was fought between the Danes and Franks]], which the Franks won and led to the deaths of Sigifrid and Godafrid (although the chronicle says that Godafrid had already been killed in 885).

Although not a king, the Danish viking leader [[Rorik of Dorestad]] is prominently mentioned a few times, including in the entry for [[850]] (along with his brother Harald and the ''dux'' of the Northmen, Godafrid), [[857]], and [[873]]. Rorik ruled land in [[Frisia]] that was later granted in [[882]] to [[Godfrid, Duke of Frisia|Godafrid]], who was referred to as a king of the Northmen alongside Sigifrid, and who was killed in [[885]], then apparently killed again at the [[Battle of Leuven (891)|Battle of Leuven]] in 891.

==Other sources==
===Widukind of Corvey===
In ''[[The Deeds of the Saxons]]'' ("Res gestae Saxonicae") by [[Widukind of Corvey]], a [[10th century]] [[Saxons|Saxon]] chronicler, two different kings of the Danes are mentioned.

In Book 1, chapter 40, Widukind describes how [[Henry the Fowler]] defeated the Danes and had their king, [[Gyrd and Gnupa|Knuba]] receive baptism. In Book 3, chapters 64 and 65, he recounts that the Danish king [[Harald Bluetooth|Harald]] became Christian after challenging the faith of the bishop Poppo.<ref>[https://ia804603.us.archive.org/1/items/deeds-of-the-saxons-book/Deeds%20of%20the%20Saxons%20%28Book%29.pdf Deeds of the Saxons by Wikudind of Corvey], translated and with notes by Bernard S. Bachrach and David S. Backrach</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180619095744/https://classesv2.yale.edu/access/content/user/haw6/Vikings/Widukind.html Widukind of Corvey, The Deeds of the Saxons 3.65], translation and commentary by Anders Winroth</ref>

===Geoffrey of Monmouth===
Book III of the [[12th century]] ''[[Historia Regum Britanniae]]'' by [[Geoffrey of Monmouth]] refers to a King of the Dacians named '''Guichtlac'''. As mentioned above in the [[#Chronicon Lethrense|section on ''Chronicon Lethrense'']], the Danes and Dacians had been conflated by European historians since at least the works of [[Dudo of Saint-Quentin]] over a century earlier. In Geoffrey's tale, Guichtlac had been in love with the daughter of Elsingius the King of Norway, but instead she married [[Brennius]], then King of [[Northumberland]] and the brother and rival of [[Belinus]], [[King of the Britons]]. After a sea battle, Guichtlac and the lady were washed up in Britain and captured by Belinus. After Brennius defeated Belinus in battle and became King of the Britons, Guichtlac promised to submit Dacia (Denmark) to Brennius and pay yearly tribute if he was given leave to return to Dacia with his mistress, which was granted.

== Multiple sources ==
Many kings are mentioned by multiple sources, but are for various reasons still considered more legendary than historical kings of Denmark

===Early legendary kings (Scyldings/Skjoldungs)===
♕ indicates that the person is explicitly identified as king of Denmark, of the Danes, or of a constituent region in the work in question. Leading numerals indicate the order in which the kings reign in the work in question. ✖ indicates that the kingship of an equivalent person is inconsistent with the given work (only for comprehensive chronicles).
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! ''[[#Widsith|Widsith]]'' {{small|([[Old English|OE]], [[6th century|6 C.]]–[[10th century|10 C.]])}}
! ''[[#Beowulf|Beowulf]]'' {{small|([[Old English|OE]], [[8th century|8 C.]]–[[11th century|11 C.]])}}
! ''[[#Chronicon Lethrense|Chronicon Lethrense]]'' {{small|([[Latin|L]], [[12th century|12 C.]])}}
! [[#Sven Aggesen|Sven Aggesen]] {{small|([[Latin|L]], [[12th century|12 C.]])}}
! ''[[#Gesta Danorum|Gesta Danorum]]'' {{small|([[Latin|L]], [[12th century|12 C.]])}}
! ''[[#Ynglinga saga|Ynglinga saga]]'' {{small|([[Old Norse|ON]], {{circa|[[1225]]}})}}
! ''[[#Sögubrot|Sögubrot]]'' {{small|([[Old Norse|ON]], {{circa|[[1250]]}})}}
! [[#Resen manuscript|Resen manuscript]] {{small|([[Old Norse|ON]], {{circa|[[1254]]}})}}
! ''[[#Runekrønike|Runekrønike]]'' {{small|([[Old Norse|ON]], {{circa|[[1319]]}})}}
! ''[[#Hrólfs saga kraka|Hrólfs saga kraka]]'' {{small|([[Old Norse|ON]], {{circa|[[1400]]}})}}
|-
| ꕀ
| ꕀ
| ♕1 [[Dan (king)|Dan]] {{small|(son of Ypper, two brothers)}}
| ✖
| ♕01 [[Dan I of Denmark|Dan]] {{small|(son of Humble, one brother)}}
| ✖
| ꕀ
| ✖
| ꕀ
| ꕀ
|-
| ꕀ
| ♕2 [[Scyld]]
| ✖
| ♕1 Skiold
| ♕04 Scioldus
| Skjöldr
| ꕀ
| 01 Sciauldr
| ꕀ
| ꕀ
|-
| ꕀ
| ♕3 [[Healfdene]] {{small|(son of [[Beowa|Beowulf]])}}
| ♕2 Ro {{small|(son of Dan)}}
| ♕2 Halfdan {{small|(son of Skiold)}}
| ♕11 Haldanus {{small|(son of [[Frotho I|Frotho]])}}
| ♕04 Hálfdan {{small|(son of Fróði friðsami)}}
| ꕀ
| 14 Halfdan {{small|(son of Froði fręcni)}}
| ♕03 Haldan ᚼᛆᛚᛑᛆᚿ {{small|(son of Froþe ᚠᚱᚮᚦᛅ)}}
| ♕01 Hálfdan {{small|(brother of Fróði)}}
|-
| ♕ [[Hrothgar|Hroðgar]]
| ♕5 Hroðgar {{small|(son of Healfdene)}}
| ♕3 Haldan {{small|(son of Ro)}}
| ✖
| ♕12 Ro {{small|(son of Haldanus)}}
| ꕀ
| ꕀ
| 15 Hroarr {{small|(son of Halfdan)}}
| ♕04 Ro ᚱᚮ {{small|(son of Froþe ᚠᚱᚮᚦᛅ, brother of Haldan ᚼᛆᛚᛑᛆᚿ)}}
| ♕03 Hróarr {{small|(son of Hálfdan)}}
|-
| ꕀ
| [[Halga]] {{small|(son of Healfdene)}}
| ♕3 Helgi {{small|(son of Ro)}}
| ♕3 Helghi {{small|(son of Halfdan)}}
| ♕12 Helgo {{small|(son of Haldanus)}}
| ♕09 Helgi {{small|(son of Hálfdan)}}
| ꕀ
| 15 Helgi {{small|(son of Halfdan)}}
| ♕04 Hælhæ ᚼᛅᛚᚼᛅ {{small|(son of Froþe ᚠᚱᚮᚦᛅ, brother of Haldan ᚼᛆᛚᛑᛆᚿ)}}
| ♕03 Helgi {{small|(son of Hálfdan)}}
|-
| ♕ [[Hrólfr Kraki|Hroþwulf]] {{small|(nephew of Hroðgar)}}
| Hroðulf {{small|(nephew of Hroðgar)}}
| ♕7 Rolf Kraki {{small|(son of Helgi)}}
| ♕4 Rolf Kraki {{small|(son of Helghi)}}
| ♕13 Rolvo Krake {{small|(son of Helgo)}}
| ♕10 Hrólfr kraki {{small|(son of Helgi)}}
| ꕀ
| 16 Hrolfr kraci {{small|(son of Helgi)}}
| ♕05 Rolf Krakæ ᚱᚮᛚᚠ:ᚴᚱᛆᚴᛅ {{small|(son of Hælhæ ᚼᛅᛚᚼᛅ)}}
| ♕04 Hrólfr Kraki {{small|(son of Helgi)}}
|-
| ꕀ
| [[Heoroweard]] {{small|(son of [[Heorogar]])}}
| ♕8 Hiarwart {{small|(husband of [[Skuld (princess)|Sculd]])}}
| ✖
| ♕14 Hiartuar {{small|(husband of Skulde)}}
| ꕀ
| ꕀ
| ✖
| ✖
| ♕05 Skuld {{small|(wife of Hjörvarðr)}}
|-
| ꕀ
| [[Hreðric and Hroðmund|Hreðric]] {{small|(son of Hroðgar)}}
| ✖
| ♕5 [[Hrœrekr Ringslinger|Rokil Slagenback]] {{small|("ringslinger", son of Rolf Kraki)}}
| ♕16 Rorik Slyngebond {{small|("ringslinger", son of [[Höðr|Hotherus]])}}
| ꕀ
| ♕ Hrærekr {{small|(brother of [[Helgi the Sharp (Zealand)|Helgi]] and husband of [[Auðr the Deep-Minded (Ívarsdóttir)|Auðr]])}}<br> Hrærekr slöngvandbaugi {{small|("ringslinger", son of [[Harald Wartooth]])}}
| 17 Hręrecr hnoggvanbaugi {{small|("ring-stingy", son of Ingialdr)}}<br>20 Hręrecr Sløngvanbaugi {{small|("ringslinger", son of Halfdan and husband of Auðr)}}
| ♕07 Roþrik ᚱᚮᚦᚱᛁᚴ {{small|(son of Høþær ᚼᚯᚦᛅᚱ)}}
| Hrókr {{small|(nephew of Hróarr and Helgi)}}
|-
| ꕀ
| Garmund {{small|(grandfather of [[Kings of the Angles#Eomer|Eomer]])}}
| ✖
| ♕07 [[Wermund]] {{small|(son of Frothi hin Frökni)}}
| ♕18 Wermundus {{small|(son of [[Wihtlæg|Wiglecus]])}}
| ꕀ
| ꕀ
| 07 Varmundr vitri {{small|("the Wise", son of Froði)}}
| ♕08 Uærmund ᚢᛅᚱᛘᚢᚿᛑ {{small|(son of Uiþlek ᚢᛁᚦᛚᛅᚴ)}}
| ꕀ
|-
| [[Offa of Angel|Offa]] {{small|([[Kings of the Angles|ruled the Angles]])}}
| Offa {{small|(ruled an empire, father of [[Kings of the Angles#Eomer|Eomer]])}}
| ✖
| ♕08 Uffi {{small|(son of Wermund)}}
| ♕19 Uffo, aka Olaf the Gentle {{small|(son of Wermundus)}}
| ꕀ
| ꕀ
| 08 Olafr litillati {{small|("the Humble", son of Varmundr)}}
| ♕09 Uffi Starke ᚢᚠᚠᛁ:ᛋᛐᛆᚱᚴᛅ {{small|("the Strong", son of Uærmund ᚢᛅᚱᛘᚢᚿᛑ)}}
| ꕀ
|-
| ꕀ
| ꕀ
| ✖
| ♕9 [[Dan (king)|Dan Elatus or Superbus]] {{small|("the Proud", son of [[Offa of Angel|Uffi]])}}
| ♕20 [[Dan II of Denmark|Dan]] {{small|(son of Uffe)}}<br>♕23 [[Dan III|Dan]] {{small|(son of [[Frotho II|Frotho Vegetus]])}}
| ♕02 Dan mikilláti {{small|("the Proud", son of Danp)}}
| ꕀ
| 09 Dan mikilati {{small|("the Proud", son of Olaf litillati)}}
| ♕10 Dan ᛑᛆᚿ {{small|(son of Uffi ᚢᚠᚠᛁ)}}<br>♕12 Dan ''Dahfulli'' ᛑᛆᚿ:ᛑᛆᚼᚠᚢᛛᛚᛁ {{small|(son of Froþe ᚠᚱᚮᚦᛅ)}}
| ꕀ
|-
| ꕀ
| ꕀ
| ♕15 [[Harald Wartooth|Harald Hyldetan (Wartooth)]]
| ✖
| ♕36 Haraldus Hyldetan (Wartooth)
| ꕀ
| ♕4 Harald Wartooth
| 21/35 Haralldr hillditǫnn (Wartooth)
| ♕28 Harald Hilditan (Wartooth) ᚼᛆᚱᛆᛚᛑ:ᚼᛁᛚᛑᛁᛐᛆᚿ
| ꕀ
|}

===Later semi-legendary kings===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! [[#Runestones|Runestones]] {{small|([[Old Norse|ON]], [[10th century|10 C.]] contemporary)}}
! [[#Adam of Bremen|Adam of Bremen]] {{small|([[Latin|L]], [[10th century|10 C.]])}}
! [[#Widukind of Corvey|Widukind of Corvey]] {{small|([[Latin|L]], [[10th century|10 C.]])}}
! ''[[#Chronicon Roskildense|Chronicon Roskildense]]'' {{small|([[Latin|L]], [[12th century|12 C.]])}}
! [[#Sven Aggesen|Sven Aggesen]] {{small|([[Latin|L]], [[12th century|12 C.]])}}
! [[#Resen manuscript|Resen manuscript]] {{small|([[Old Norse|ON]], {{circa|[[1254]]}})}}
! ''[[#Ragnarssona þáttr|Ragnarssona þáttr]]'' {{small|([[Old Norse|ON]], {{circa|[[1302]]}})}}
! ''[[#Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar en mesta|Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar en mesta]]'' {{small|([[Old Norse|ON]], [[14th century|14 C.]])}}
|-
| ꕀ
| ♕ [[Horik I|Horic]]
| ꕀ
| ♕ Hericus
| ✖
| ✖
| ✖
| ♕ Harek
|-
| ꕀ
| ♕ [[Horik II|Horic the younger]]
| ꕀ
| ♕ Hericus Puer (the child)
| ✖
| ✖
| ✖
| ♕ Harek
|-
| ꕀ
| ♕ [[Helge (Danish king)|Heiligonem]]
| ꕀ
| ✖
| ✖
| ✖
| ꕀ
| ♕ Helgi
|-
| ꕀ
| ♕ [[Olof the Brash|Olaph]] {{small|(conquered Denmark from [[Helge (Danish king)|Heiligonem]])}}
| ꕀ
| ✖
| ♕ Olaf {{small|(succeeded after Ingiald)}}
| ✖
| Olaf {{small|(possibly unrelated; grandson of an Ingjald)}}
| ♕ Olaf {{small|(conquered Denmark from Helgi)}}
|-
| [[Gyrd and Gnupa|Gnupa]] (ᚴᚿᚢᛒᚢ)
| ♕ Chnob {{small|(ruled with his brother Gurd, sons of Olaph)}}
| ♕ Knuba
| ✖
| Ennignup {{small|(landowner who was guardian of the kingdom when Knut was a child)}}
| ✖
| ✖
| ♕ Knut {{small|(ruled with Gyrd, after Olaf)}}<br>♕ Gnupa {{small|(a king in Reidgotaland, defeated by [[Gorm the Old]])}}
|-
| ♕ [[Sigtrygg Gnupasson|Sigtriku or Sigtriuk]] (ᛋᛁᚴᛏᚱᛁᚴᚢ or ᛋᛁᚴᛏᚱᛁᚢᚴ) {{small|(Gnupa's son)}}
| ♕ Sigerich
| ꕀ
| ✖
| ꕀ
| ✖
| ✖
| ♕ Siggeir {{small|(succeeded Gyrd and Knut)}}
|-
| ꕀ
| ♕ [[Sigfred and Halfdan|Sigefrid]] {{small|(ruled with his brother Halfdan)}}
| ꕀ
| ✖
| ♕ Sighwarth {{small|(son of [[Ragnar Lodbrok|Regner Lothbrogh]])}}
| [[Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye|Sigurðr ormr i auga]] {{small|(son of Ragnarr loðbroc)}}
| ♕ Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye {{small|(son of Ragnar Lodbrok)}}
| ♕ Sigfrod {{small|(ruled with Halfdan)}}<br>♕ Sigurd Snake i'th'eye {{small|(ruler of Zealand and Skaney, son of Ragnar Lodbrok)}}
|-
| ꕀ
| ♕ [[Harthacnut I of Denmark|Hardecnudth]] or Hardegon {{small|(son of Svein)}}
| ꕀ
| Hartha Knut {{small|(son of Sven, king of the Angles)}}
| ♕ Knut {{small|(son of Sighwarth)}}
| Haurða knutr {{small|(son of [[Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye|Sigurðr ormr i auga]])}}
| ♕ Knut, aka Horda-Knut {{small|(son of Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye)}}
| ♕ Horda-Knut {{small|(son of Sigurd Snake i'th'eye)}}
|-
| [[Gorm the Old|Gorm]] (ᚴᚢᚱᛘ)
| ♕ Wrm {{small|(son of Harthacnut)}}
| ꕀ
| ♕ Gorm {{small|(king after [[Fróði|Frothi]])}}<br>♕ Gorm {{small|(son of Sven, brother of Hartha Knut, conquered Denmark from Haldanus)}}
| ♕ Gorm ''Løghæ'' {{small|(son of [[Harald Klak|Klak-Harald]])}}
| Gormr ''gamli'' {{small|("the Old", son of Haurða knutr)}}
| ♕ Gorm {{small|(son of Horda-Knut)}}
| ♕ Gorm the Old {{small|(son of Horda-Knut)}}
|}

* [[Harald Klak]], 812 to 813 and 819 to 827, a period of civil war with the sons of [[Gudfred]]. Nephew of an earlier Harald.
* [[Hemming of Denmark|Hemming]], c. 810 to c. 812. Nephew of Gudfred. Brother of Ragnvald, Håkon and Angantyr.
* [[Gudfred]] (''Godfred'' or ''Gøtrik''), a Danish king c. 804 to 810. Said to be father of [[Ogier the Dane]] (''Holger Danske''); possibly the son of Sigfred.
* [[Ragnar Lodbrok]] was a legendary king, allegedly flourishing before 865. He is mentioned in multiple sources, but the sources are wildly inconsistent. There is no historical record of anyone named Ragnar ruling Denmark in the 9th century. However his sons Halfdan Ragnarsson and Sigurd Snake-In-the-Eye may have become kings of Denmark, while his son [[Bjorn Ironside]] became king of [[Sweden]] and [[Uppsala]] according to various late sagas.
* [[Sigfred]], Danish king c. 770 to c. 804. Possibly the historical basis for [[Sigurd Hring]]. Reported to have assisted the [[Saxons]] against [[Charlemagne]].
* [[Randver]], sometimes assigned to the early 700s. Son of Valdar (or Radbard) according to late sagas; fell in England.
* [[Valdar]], sometimes assigned to the early 700s. Son-in-law of Ivar Vidfamne and sub-king in Denmark according to the late sagas.
* [[Ivar Vidfamne]], sometimes assumed to have died in c. 700. The Viking sagas say that Ivar Vidfamne ruled over most of Denmark, Sweden, [[Saxony|Saxland]] and even parts of England.

== See also ==
* [[List of legendary kings of Sweden]]
* [[List of legendary kings of Norway]]
* [[List of legendary kings of Britain]]

==Notes==
<references group="notes"/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Germanic monarchs}}

[[Category:9th-century monarchs of Denmark| ]]
[[Category:Legendary kings of Denmark| ]]
[[Category:Lists of Danish people|Kings]]
[[Category:Lists of monarchs|Danish]]