Sweyn I, in Danish, Svend I, called Sweyn Forkbeard (960?-1014), king of Denmark (985?-1014). He made an expedition against England in 994 and extorted a large amount of tribute money. Following a massacre of Danes in England in 1002, he conducted a further series of raids and in 1013 led an invasion with the object of effecting a permanent conquest. The fall of London and the flight of the English king Ethelred II to Normandy (Normandie) early in 1014 made Sweyn master of the country. After his death the throne of England eventually passed (1016) to his son Canute II.
Sweyn I "Forkbeard" (sometimes Svein Haraldsson; in Danish, Svend Tveskæg) (circa 965 - February 3, 1014) succeeded his father Harold I as king of Denmark in 986. After recovering his throne (991) following a brief Swedish invasion, Sweyn established Danish control over a part of Norway (1000).
After participating in a Norwegian-led raid against England in 994-995, Sweyn embarked on a series of full-scale invasions (1003-1005, 1006-1007, 1009-1012 and 1013) following the St. Brice's Day massacre of England's Danish inhabitants (November 1002). By December 1013 he was England's effective ruler following the flight to Normandy of king Ethelred the Unready.
Svein died on at Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, having ruled England unopposed for only five weeks, and his body was returned to Denmark. He was succeeded as King of Denmark by his elder son, Harold II, and as King of England by his younger son Canute the Great. His son, Canute the Great, ruled in Denmark and England and some part of northern Germany.
Sources:
1. Abbrev: University of Hull Royal Database (England) Title: Brian Tompsett, Dept of Computer Science, University of Hull Royal Database (England) (copyright 1994, 1995, 1996)base (England)base (England). copyright 1994, 1995, 1996. Note: Call number:
usually reliable but sometimes includes hypothetical lines, mythological figures, etc
WWW, University of Hull, Hull, UK HU6 7RX bct@tardis.ed.ac.uk 2. Abbrev: Pullen010502.FTW Title: Pullen010502.FTW Note: Call number: Text: Date of Import: Jan 5, 2002
King Sveyn (Forkbeard) Haraldsson of Denmark I 
