Knut Eriksson

Reign: 1173 – 1196; 1173 – 1195
Life: 1150–1196

He was known as Canute I. Youth and ascension Knut was born no later than the 1140s, thus before his father had yet gained power over parts of Sweden. As a young man he was betrothed to a lady, sister of another Knut. Her name is not revealed, but her equal could supposedly not be found in the land. When Erik the Saint was killed in Uppsala in 1160, Knut was defeated and forced to flee, while his fiancée hid in a monastery for reasons of safety. According to late medieval sources he lived in exile in Norway for three years, a piece of information that is highly unreliable.

During Knut Eriksson's reign, Alfonso VIII of Castile ruled Spain, Henry II of England ruled England, and Afonso I of Portugal ruled Portugal.

Want to learn more? Further reading

A History of Sweden by Byron J. Nordstrom

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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