Ancestry and Reign
Gorm is the reported son of semi-legendary Danish king Harthacnut. Chronicler Adam of Bremen tells that Harthacnut came from Northmania to Denmark and seized power in the early 10th century. He deposed the young king Sigtrygg Gnupasson; reigning over Western Denmark. When Harthacnut died, Gorm ascended the throne.
Heimskringla reports Gorm taking at least part of the kingdom by force from Gnupa, and Adam himself suggests that the kingdom had been divided prior to Gorm's time. Gorm is first mentioned as the host of Archbishop Unni of Hamburg and Bremen in 936. According to the Jelling Stones, Gorm "won all of Denmark", but it is speculated he only ruled Jutland from his seat in Jelling.
Read more about this topic: Gorm The Old
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