King Blót-Sveinn
of Sweden
1087 ᛦ

Blót-Sveinn’s story starts with the rule of his sister’s husband, King Inge of Sweden. These events take place in the mid-to-late-11th century, when Christianity had spread its influence over nearly all of our Folk, including the Scandinavians. 

 

According to our main source, the Icelandic Hervavar’s Saga, King Inge was a Christian, but his people were still Ásatrú. When Inge took the throne, his people hoped that he would renounce the foreign Christ and give blót to the Æsir at the temple of Uppsala, on behalf of the Swedish kingdom. Inge refused to do so and was then rightfully deposed by his people who wanted to keep their troth with the mighty Æsir. 

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His brother-in-law, who we now know as Blót-Sveinn, told the Folk of Sweden that he would take up the throne and give Blót to the Æsir for the sake of the Swedish people. The people joyfully proclaimed him King of Sweden, and thus returned to being an Ásatrú nation. However this glorious moment was short-lived, a few years later Inge returned to Sweden with a small retinue of men and lit King Blót-Sveinn’s home on fire, killing him. Although Ásatrú was once again suppressed in Sweden by force, King Blót-Sveinn’s courage is something to be remembered and celebrated. 

What can we learn from this story?

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As modern day Ásatrúar, we can take much inspiration from the King’s example. He managed to be both an aristocrat, as well as someone who could relate to his people and give them what they wanted and needed. He fearlessly stood in the way of rampaging Christianity, even publicly giving Blót to the Æsir at Uppsala on behalf of his Folk. He did not let sociopolitical pressure or greed for the Christians’ coin stop him; rather, he pressed forward with both piety and strength. Had he not been felled by the underhanded work of Inge; he would certainly have been a mighty leader of a mighty Ásatrú Sweden for many prosperous years!