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Styrbjrn StarkeStyrbjrn Starke or Styrbjorn the Strong was the semi-legendary son of Olof (II) Bjrnsson, and the nephew of Eric the Victorious. At his father's death, ca 980, Bjrn could claim greater right to the throne of Sweden, than Eric's own soon to be born son. Youth Styrbjrn was unusually big, strong and unruly (for a Viking) and although he was only a little boy he managed to kill a courtier who accidentally had hit him on the nose with a drinking horn. When he was 12 years old he asked his uncle for his birthright, but when he was denied the co-rulership of Sweden he sulked for a long time on his father's mound. When he was 16 the Ting decided that he was too unruly to be king of Sweden. Eric decided to make his own unborn child co-regent on the condition that it was a son. As a compensation his uncle Eric gave him 60 well-equipped longships whereupon the frustrated Styrbjrn took his sister Gyrid and left. Career He ravaged the shores of the Baltic Sea and when he was twenty, he conquered the stronghold of Jomsborg from its founder Palnetoke, and became its ruler. After some time he allied with the Danish king Harold Bluetooth and married his sister Gyrid to him. Styrbjrn married Harold's daughter Tyra, whom he was given by Harold for conquering Jomsborg. (Styrbjrn had the son Torkel Styrbjrnsson with Tyra. Torkel had a daughter named Gytha Thorkelsdttir, who married Godwin, Earl of Wessex and became the mother of Harold II of England). Harold gave him even more warriors and now Styrbjrn was about to reclaim the throne of Sweden. He sailed with a huge force which included 200 Danish longships in addition to his own Jomsvikings. When they arrived at Fret (Old Norse: Fyris) in Uplandia he burnt the ships in order to force his men to fight to the end. The Danish force changed its mind and returned to Denmark. Styrbjrn marched alone with his Jomsvikings to Gamla Uppsala. His uncle was, however, prepared and had sent for reinforcements in all directions. During the first two days, the battle was even. In the evening, Eric went to the statue of Odin at the Temple at Uppsala where he sacrificed. He promised Odin that if he won the battle, he would belong to Odin and arrive at Valhalla in ten years from then. The third day, Eric threw his spear over the enemy and said "I sacrifice you all to Odin". The Swedes were winning, and the Danish warriors fled. Only Styrbjrn and his sworn men stayed, and died. Archaeological evidence - On a runestone in Hllestad, Hallandia it is said: "Eskil raised this stone after Toke Gormsson, his beloved master. He did not flee at Uppsala."
- A runestone in Sjrup, Scania, relates: "He did not flee at Uppsala, but fought as long as he had weapons."
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