Erik Bloodaxe, a man notorious for his violent reputation and ruthless measures, claimed power over Norway and Northumbria through a relentless rise to dominance.
Born as one of King Harald Fairhair‘s numerous sons, Erik solidified his position by brutally eliminating his siblings, earning him the moniker “Bloodaxe.”
He leveraged his martial prowess and Viking raids to assert control, yet his despotic rule and brutal methods sparked resistance from the Norwegian elite and feudal lords in Northumbria, setting the stage for a tumultuous conflict that would ultimately seal his fate.
Rise to Power
After his father, King Harald Fairhair, died, Erik Bloodaxe secured the Norwegian throne by brutally killing several of his brothers and half-brothers to consolidate his power.
With Harald’s passing, the once-strong rule began to crumble, and Erik took drastic measures to maintain his family’s dominance.
According to the sagas, he initially adopted a predatory lifestyle of raiding and eventually adopted the nickname ‘Bloodaxe’ due to his violent reputation as a Viking raider.
Erik’s early life was marked by his Viking expeditions. At just twelve years old, he started raiding and plundering with five long-ships gifted by Harald. He spent three years in the Baltic region and four years raiding Scotland, Bretland, and Ireland.
These adventures honed his martial prowess, which would later be remembered as characteristic of his ruthless rule.
Erik’s ruthless actions during his rise to power created widespread fear and discontent among the nobility. The ‘Fagrskinna’ describes him as “bad-minded, gruff, unfriendly, and silent”.
His final stand, however, would come in England, where his lineage as the king of Northumbria would seal his fate.
Blood Axe in Norway
Following his father’s death, Erik Bloodaxe ruthlessly secured the Norwegian throne by systematically eliminating his brothers and half-brothers. He began his campaign during his father Harald Fairhair’s lifetime, as Harald intended Erik to inherit the high seat. Erik’s violent methods were both strategic and calculated, as he sought to consolidate power and establish his reign as undisputed ruler of Norway.
Historical records describe his actions as relentless, with sagas recounting how he killed his half-brothers in cold blood. This series of fratricides earned him the infamous nickname ‘Bloodaxe.’
Erik’s rule was marked by conflicts with his nobles, who grew increasingly disenchanted with his brutal handling of opposition. His aggressive tactics and despotic rule ultimately led to his downfall and loss of favor among the Norwegian elite.
Violent Raider & King
Driven out of Norway by his brother Haakon and forced into exile, Erik Bloodaxe transformed from a ruthless Norwegian king to a violent Viking raider.
As described in the sagas, Bloodaxe led a life of pillage and plunder, seeking power and wealth in his brutal campaigns. His contemporaries and later historians portrayed him as a larger-than-life Viking hero, but also as a cruel and unpredictable ruler. The nickname ‘Blood Axe’ was likely earned due to his brutal methods in securing the Norwegian throne, where he killed several of his half-brothers to consolidate his rule.
Bloodaxe’s violent reputation persisted throughout his two short-lived reigns as King of Northumbria. He initially adopted a life of raiding, engaging in battles in Scotland and the Irish Sea. Later, he briefly gained control of Northumbria, only to be ousted by his adversary, Eric II, and to then regain the throne.
Although his success was short-lived, Erik’s violent activities left a mark on the historical record, solidifying his image as a fierce and feared Viking warrior. His impact on the Viking Age and the power dynamics of medieval Europe remains significant.
Feudal Rebellion in the Isles
During his tumultuous second reign over Northumbria, Eric Bloodaxe faced sustained resistance from local feudal lords who resented his brutality and sought to overthrow him. These nobles, led by Oswulf I of Bamburgh and possibly Maccus, son of Olaf, saw Eric’s rule as harsh and tyrannical. They capitalized on his weakened position, which was the result of his conflict with the King of Wessex, Eadred. The Northumbrian nobles took advantage of this opportunity to recast their allegiance and challenge Eric’s authority.
The eventual culmination of this feudal rebellion came in the Battle of Stainmore, where Eric Bloodaxe was killed, allegedly by Maccus or Oswulf. This battle marked the turning point in the power struggle, ultimately leading to the end of the Viking kingdom of Jórvík, and the integration of its territories into the Earldom of Northumbria.
Eric’s violent nature had consequently brought about his downfall, exposing the inherent instability and vulnerability of his rule.
Legacy of Betrayal
Erik Bloodaxe‘s violent disposition and brutal rule, which had earned him the nickname ‘Bloodaxe,’ ultimately guaranteed his downfall and created a legacy of betrayal that tainted his historical record. The complexity and contentious nature of his reign are reflected in the varying accounts of his life and death.
In Norway, he brutally murdered his half-brothers to secure the throne, earning him the nickname *fratrum interfector*. In the Latin traditions, like *Historia Norwegiæ*, this violent reputation is reinforced. Despite his reputation, his rule was marked by its brevity and instability. Later accounts like *Heimskringla* highlight his tumultuous and harsh rule, which alienated him from the nobility.
In Northumbria, his rule was also marked by internal conflicts and uprisings. His final downfall occurred during a skirmish in Stainmore, where he was betrayed and killed by one of his officials, possibly Maccus son of Olaf. This betrayal sealed his legacy as a violent and untrustworthy ruler.
The poem *Eiríksmál*, composed in his honor, glosses over the darker aspects of his life but can’t conceal the reality of his brutal actions.
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