List of legendary kings of Denmark


The legendary kings of Denmark are the predecessors of Gorm the Old, half legend and half history. The accounts of the Danish kings are confusing and contradictory, and so this presentation tries to separate the various sources from each other. They sometimes mention the same kings.

Multiple sources

Many kings are mentioned by multiple sources, but are for various reasons still considered more legendary than historical kings of Denmark
Early kings of the Rig and Scylding lines, mentioned by multiple sources
After Hrólf Kraki no two sources give the same succession.

Adam of Bremen

mentions several kings from the 10th century preceding Gorm the Old. He claims Svend Estridson as his source. Many of these are also confirmed by other sources.
The kings from Saxo Grammaticus' chronicle Gesta Danorum.
NameConsortClaimNote
Dan IGrythaTitle createdDidn't actually rule as a king, but mere governor.
HumbleSon of Dan IElected as a king after the death of his father, however, he proved a weak ruler and was soon deposed by his brother.
LotherSon of Dan IAfter deposing his brother, he resorted to tyranny and was killed while fighting a rebellion.
SkioldAlfhildSon of LotherBecame king when younger than fifteen, renown hunter and fighter, extraordinarily tall. Subjugated the Alemanni in order to marry a Saxon princess.
Gram
Roar

Groa

Signe		Son of SkiodWhile his father was still alive, he invaded Sweden, and his father rewarded him by crowning him as co-ruler.
Later, he was killed by Svipdagr, king of the Norwegians.
SvipdagrDaughter of Gram and GroaSon-in-law of GramAfter Gram slew his father, he retired to Sweden and made peace with Gram when he agreed to marry his sister. Later, Gram abandoned his sister in favor of a Finnish princess, this prompted Svipdagr to continue the war, which eventually led to his victory, thus he took over Sweden and Denmark.
GuthormSon of Gram
Nephew of Svipdagr		Puppet king of Svipdagr.

Other Danish kings include:
The kings from the Chronicle of Lejre.
Other manuscript have a supplementary list, following the name of Hartwar:
The kings in epic poem Beowulf
The kings in the poem Gróttasöngr
The kings of the saga of the Scylding family.
or Sǫgubrot af nokkrum fornkonungum Dana ok svíaveldi is an Old Icelandic saga fragment which is believed to be a part of the original Skjöldunga saga. The fragment begins in the middle of a discussion between the Scanian king Ivar Vidfamne and his daughter Auðr.
;Kings of the whole of Denmark or individual Danish regions, which appear in Sögubrot:
The kings of the saga of the Ynglinga family.