Editing Eric I of Denmark (section)

==Biography==

Eric was born in the town of [[Slangerup]] in North [[Zealand (Denmark)|Zealand]] - the largest Danish island. During the rule of his half-brother [[Canute IV of Denmark|Canute IV]] he was an eager supporter of the king, but he was spared during the rebellion against Canute.  Eric remained at the royal farm instead of accompanying Canute to [[St. Alban's Church, Odense|St Albans priory]] in Odense, where Canute was killed. Eric talked his way off the farm and fled to Zealand and then to [[Scania]], which was part of Denmark during that time. [[Olaf I of Denmark|Olaf I Hunger]] was elected King of Denmark, but his reign was short.  At last Eric was elected as a king at the several ''[[Thing (assembly)|landsting]]'' assemblies in 1095. Eric was well liked by the people and the famines that had plagued Denmark during Olaf Hunger's reign ceased.  For many it seemed a sign from God that Eric was the right king for Denmark.

Medieval chroniclers, such as [[Saxo Grammaticus]], and myths portrayed Eric a “strapping fellow” appealing to the common people.  He could keep his place when four men tried their best to move him. Eric was a good speaker, and people went out of their way to hear him. After a [[Thing (assembly)|''ting'']] assembly concluded, he went about the neighborhood greeting men, women and children at their homesteads. He had a reputation as a loud man who liked parties and who led a rather dissolute private life.  Though a presumed supporter of a strong centralized royal power, he seems to have behaved like a diplomat, avoiding any clash with the magnates. He had a reputation for being ruthless to robbers and pirates.

On a visit to the Pope in Rome he obtained [[canonization]] for his late brother, Canute IV, and an [[archbishopric]] for Denmark (now [[Lund]] in [[Skåne|Scania]]), instead of being under the [[Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen]]. Bishop [[Asser Thorkilsson|Asser]] then became the first [[Archbishop of Lund]].

King Eric announced at the Viborg assembly that he had decided to go on pilgrimage to [[the Holy Land]]. The cause, according to ''Danmarks Riges Krønike'', was {{clarify|text=the murder of four of his own men|reason=Did he kill them?|date=May 2019}} while drunk at a feast in his own hall. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://heimskringla.no/wiki/Erik_Ejegod | title=Erik Ejegod – heimskringla.no }}</ref> Despite the pleas of his subjects, he would not be deterred.  Eric appointed his son, [[Harald Kesja]], and [[Asser Thorkilsson|Bishop Asser]] as regents.

Eric and Boedil and a large company traveled through Russia to [[Constantinople]] where he was a guest of the emperor.  While there, he became ill, but took ship for Cyprus anyway.  He died at [[Paphos]], Cyprus in July 1103. The queen had him buried there. He was the first king to go on pilgrimage after [[Jerusalem]] was conquered during the [[First Crusade]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Denmark and Cyprus pay tribute to 12th century king | date=26 March 2008 | url=http://in.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idINL2675268220080326 | work=Reuters | access-date=27 March 2008 | archive-date=20 August 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820033344/http://in.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idINL2675268220080326 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Queen Boedil also became ill, but made it to Jerusalem where she died.  She was buried at the foot of the [[Mount of Olives]] in the [[Valley of Josaphat]].

[[File:Erik Ejegod.JPG|thumb|upright|Memorial stone in Borgvold, Viborg, Denmark]]