Harald I of Denmark (A World Without Norway)

Harald Bluetooth was a viking ruler from the tenth century. As the grandson of King Canute I, Harald was the third king of Denmark, even though he was never meant to be king to begin with. Regardless, Harald is one of the most important Danish kings of all time.

Harald was born sometime in the early tenth century as a son of King Gorm and Queen Thrya of Denmark. He was the younger brother of Prince Canute, the heir to the Danish throne and the King's favorite son. In 958, Harald and Canute sailed across the North Sea to Northumbria, in what is now Jorvik. The brothers believed, as descendants of Ragnar Lothbrok, that the land rightfully belonged to them. Upon reaching the English coast, Harald and Canute pillaged towns. The two brothers and their army would confront King Eadwig and the English army. It is unknown exactly what happened during this battle, but Canute perished and Harald was forced to retreat back to Denmark. Upon hearing of the death of his son, King Gorm fell into a deep depression and died of grief. Harald then became King of Denmark.

During his reign, Harald oversaw numerous public works, including the construction of the Ravning Bridge (the country's oldest known bridge), five ring forts, the fortification of the Aros fortress, and the reconstruction of the Jelling runic stones. Harald is also remembered as a conqueror, in 970, the King marched his army into Sweden and conquered Gothland. He declared himself as the King of Gothland, the first Gothlandic king.

One of Harald's most notable achievements is his conversion to Christianity and the Christianization of Denmark. Sometime by the beginning of his reign, Harald was baptized by a monk named Poppo or Poppa. After his conversion, around the 960s, Harald had his father's body reburied in the church next to the now empty mound. He had the Jelling stones erected to honour his parents.

Harald died in 986. According to the Yngling saga, Harald was wounded fighting off a rebellion by his son and successor, Sweyn.