Harald Bluetooth

Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson was a king of Denmark and Norway. He was the son of King Gorm the Old and Thyra Dannebod. Harald ruled as king of Denmark from around 958 until around 986. During his time as king, he brought Christianity to Denmark and worked to bring the land of Jutland and Zealand together under his rule.

Harald also became the king of Norway after King Harald Greycloak was killed. However, his rule in Norway was not very strong and lasted only a few years in the 970s. Before he died, his son Swein Forkbeard took away Harald’s power as king of Denmark.

Name

Harald's name appears as haraltr : kunukʀ (ᚼᛅᛰᛅᛚᛏᚱ ᛬ ᚴᚢᚾᚢᚴᛦ) on the Jelling stone. In Old Norse, this means "Harald king". Medieval Danish chronicles call him Haraldus Gormonis filius, meaning "Harald, Gorm's son".

The nickname "Bluetooth" first appears in a book called Chronicon Roskildense from around 1140. One theory is that he had a tooth that looked bluish or dark. Another idea is that the name might have come from a title meaning "blue thane" used in England.

Reign

During his time as king, Harald worked on building important structures. He rebuilt the Jelling runic stones and strengthened a big fortress called Aros, now known as Aarhus. He also built special circular forts in five key places across his kingdom.

He built the oldest known bridge in southern Scandinavia, called the Ravning Bridge, which was very wide and long.

Harald helped a leader named Richard the Fearless and his son took control of Samland. After another king, Harald Greycloak, was killed, Harald brought Norway under his rule for a time.

The old stories from Norse sagas do not show Harald in a good light. He had to give things to a strong prince from Sweden named Styrbjörn the Strong to keep peace, but later broke his promises.

When a ruler named Otto I died, Harald attacked a place called Saxony. Another ruler, Otto II, fought back and took some of Harald’s lands. Harald got some land back after Otto II faced difficulties elsewhere.

After losing a battle against German forces, Harald lost control of Norway. Germans moved into the area between Scandinavia and Germany but were pushed out by troops loyal to Harald. Not long after, Harald was removed from power by his son Swein and died soon after. Some believe he died in the year 986, while others think it was 985.

Harald also introduced the first country-wide system of coins in Denmark.

Conversion to Christianity

King Harald's decision to become a Christian is not fully agreed upon, as different writers from long ago tell different stories about how it happened.

One writer, Widukind of Corvey, says that a priest named Poppa showed Harald the power of his faith by carrying hot iron without getting burned. Another writer, Adam of Bremen, says that Harald was persuaded to become a Christian after losing a battle to Otto I. A third writer, Saxo Grammaticus, says that Harald became a Christian after making peace with a powerful leader.

After Harald chose to become a Christian, he changed how his father was buried and built special stones to remember his parents. These stones tell us that Harald helped spread Christianity in Denmark and Norway, although it did not always grow easily.

Marriages and children

Harald had a wife from a Slavic background, whose name was Thyre, as shown on the Jelling Stone.

They had several children, including Tyra of Denmark, who married Styrbjörn the Strong, and Swein Forkbeard. Another daughter, Gunhilde, married Pallig, who was a Jarl and Ealdorman of Devonshire.

Bluetooth technology

Main article: Bluetooth

In 1997, the design of Bluetooth wireless technology was named after King Harald Bluetooth. The idea was that just as he brought different tribes of Denmark together, this technology would connect many devices. The Bluetooth logo shows special ancient letters that stand for his initials, H and B.