Olaf I of Denmark
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Olaf I of Denmark (born circa 1050 - died 1095), known also as Oluf I Hunger, was king of Denmark following his brother Canute IV starting from 1086. He was a natural son of king Sweyn Estridson and married Ingegard, princess of Norway.
Oluf's reign was marred by several years of crop failure which earned him the nickname "Hunger" (same meaning in Danish), and he died in August, 1095 under somewhat mysterious circumstances. Supporters of his murdered predecessor Canute the Holy claimed that the famine was sent by God as a punishment. Oluf and his brothers Ubbe, Harald and Niels originally belonged to a political party which had been in opposition to that of king Canute, and some used this against him, blaming the king for the famine. Some speculate that he may have killed himself.
| Preceded by: Canute IV | King of Denmark 1050–1095 | Succeeded by: Eric I |
