Haakon Ericsson

The Ladejarl Håkon Eiriksson (* 995, † 1029 ) was from 1012 to 1015 Viceroy of Norway under the Danish king Sven Forkbeard.

His parents were the Ladejarl Eirik Håkonsson (by 964 - to 1024) and his wife Gyda, daughter of the Danish king Sven Forkbeard. He was the last male representative of the family of Ladejarle, which was one of the three leading families of Norway at the time of unification.

The first mention Håkons relates to a meeting with Olav II, who had just come from England, 1015 in Fjaler. The meeting is described differently in the sources. The skald Sigvat describes the meeting as a friendly debate on the future role Olav and Håkons in Norway. Snorri, however, describes in his Heimskringla that the first encounter was quite hostile and ended with a temporary capture Håkons. He was only freed for the promise to leave the country and never to return. Håkon went to England and there is mentioned in many English documents. There he is called " dux ", which corresponds to the Jarlstitel. He ruled over parts of Mercia. Probably he followed King Canute 1025/1026 to Denmark and took part in the Battle of Helgeå.

In the second half of the 1020s Håkon years trying to regain dominion over Norway. He managed to bring about his family relationships in Norway King Olav so in distress that this 1028 was forced to flee from Norway. King Canute was accepted as top king in Norway, but mostly stayed on in England and transferred the rule to Håkon Jarl as. Håkon went to England in 1029, probably in order to marry the niece Knuts Gunnhild. On the return trip Håkon is lost at sea.