Olaf I of Denmark

King of Denmark

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Lived 1050–1095, aged 45

Wikipedia
36 languages
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Era
1050–1095
Aged 45

Summary

Updated 2026-06-09

He inherited a kingdom still reeling from his brother's assassination and wore the nickname "Hunger" — a label that shadowed his nine-year reign.

Biography

About

Olaf was born around 1050, the son of Sweyn II Estridsson, in a dynasty where brothers took turns at the throne. When his brother Canute IV the Holy was killed in 1086, Olaf became the third of Sweyn's sons to rule Denmark. He married Ingegard, daughter of Harald Hardråde, but the marriage produced no sons. His reign lasted nine years, ending with his death on 18 August 1095, after which the crown passed to yet another brother, Eric the Good.

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