Funny Epithets 10: Eric II Emune (c. 1097-1137)
Danish king whose nickname means âmemorable âand his life was indeed colourful. "Emuneâ was an illegitimate son of king Eric Evergood who died while on pilgrimage in Holy land. Being a bastard Emuneâs initial chances for throne were minuscule and he actually became a minor jarl in southern Denmark. In the early 1130s Eric began a rebellion against ruling king Niels of Denmark who also happened to be his his uncle. The rebellion was a bit of rollercoaster ride for Eric but in the end his army won a decive battle at Fotevik.
As a king Eric tried to be a strong and effective ruler. He for example proclaimed a crusade against people of RĂŒgen and managed to defeat them in a swift campaign. The king also attacked Norway and during this military expedition he managed to burn down Oslo.
Ericâs harsh internal policies made him enemies though and in the end he was murdered by a nobleman called âBlack Ploughâ (Sorte plov). Wikipedia has an interesting description of the murder:
âAccording to legend, Sorte Plov asked permission to approach the king, carrying a spear in his hand with a block of wood protecting the tip. Having deemed that King Eric wore no mail underneath his tunic, Sorte Plov kicked off the protection, and drove his spear right through the king. King Eric's nephew Erik HĂ„konssĂžn stepped forward with sword in hand, but the nobleman told him to calm down, seeing as how he â Erik â was next in line for the throne, being the only adult male in the royal family: "Put away thine mace, young Erik. A juicy piece of meat hath fallen in thine bowl!" :-))
According to legend the kingslayer was not punished whereas the young Erik HĂ„konssĂžn actually became a new king. He too has an interesting nickname - Erik the Lamb :-).
