Eirik Blodøks was born in year AD 885 in Norway. He was the second king of Norway and the eldest son of Harald Hårfagre and one of his wives Ragnhild. Ragnhild was the daughter of the Danish king. Eirik was king in Norway in AD 931-934 and in Northumberland AD 945-954. Eirik and his brothers were always fighting, and he killed four of them. Eirik is also called the "brotherslayer". Eirik was Harald's favorite son. The day Eirik turned twelve years old, he was given Viking Ships with crews as birthday present from his father Harald. Harald wanted him to travel out in the world and become a real king of the seas. Eirik sailed away, first to Russia, and then to Denmark and Germania. Then the trip went overseas to Scotland, England, Ireland and France. On his trips, he saw many exciting cities and different types of people, and took part in many battles. He became much feared and was given the nickname 'Eirik Bloodaxe' in Norwegian "Eirik Blodøks" Eirik was known for his bad temper but he was married to a beautiful woman, Gunnhild. Gunnhild was know to be quite clever, good with magic. Erik and Gunnhild had a daugter and seven sons who would become leaders in Norway. In 948 AD Eirik was elected as King of York by Wulfstan, the Archbishop of York and lays claim to the whole of Northumbria. However, in that same year he was ousted by the King of Wessex. In 952 AD Eirik was reinstated as King of York. He ruled until 954 AD when he was murdered in the bleak moors of Stainmore in Teesdales. Eirik's death signifies the end of northern independence and from now on Yorkshire and the Northeast are ruled as part of England by Kings in the south.

-Text submitted by Catharina Grafeldr

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