Biography
Sverker was a mighty landowner from Östergötland. According to the Westrogothic law (1240), his father's name was Cornube, but according to Skáldatal, his father's name was Kol. He was acknowledged as king at the beginning of 1130s, and conquered Västergötland from its ruler Magnus the Strong. Sverker ruled for about 26 years, but in spite of the long reign not much is known about him. The convents and monasteries of Alvastra, Nydala and Varnhem were founded.
According to a Russian chronicle, the newly founded Republic of Novgorod had its first confrontation with Sweden during Sverker's reign in 1142, thus breaking a century-long peace that had been guaranteed by marriages between the earlier ruling families.
Sverker was murdered by his own coach at the Alebäck bridge near Alvastra priory, going to the early service on Christmas Day, in 1156. This was considered a shocking crime, even by medieval standards. The pretender Magnus Henriksson was suspected of the crime.
Skáldatal reports the names of two of Sverker's skalds: Einarr Skúlason and Halldórr skvaldri.
Read more about this topic: Sverker I Of Sweden
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