Stenkil

Reign: 1060 – 1066
Life: 1030–1066

He is praised as a devout Christian, but with an accommodating stance towards the old Pagan religion. 1240) clearly states that he spent time in Levene in Västergötland where he was long remembered as the king who "loved West Geats before all his other subjects", and he was lauded as a great archer whose hit marks were long shown with admiration. Adam characterises Stenkil as God-fearing and pious. According to a historically much-debated passage in Adam's chronicle, Uppsala was the site of a renowned pagan temple where sacrifices of humans and animals were performed every ninth year.

During Stenkil's reign, Edward the Confessor ruled England, Malcolm III of Scotland ruled Scotland, and Constantine X Doukas ruled Rome.

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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From the library

Go deeper on Stenkil

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