Harald Bluetooth Facts & Worksheets

• Harald was born a pagan, venerating the deities of the Norse pantheon, as did his ancestors. Harald converted to Christianity between 960 and 963, becoming Denmark’s inaugural Christian monarch. It was not a novelty, as Christianity had gradually disseminated over the region from the 9th century. Nevertheless, the king’s conversion rendered the new faith resilient. The origin of this moniker is likely unappealing. Harald allegedly possessed a decayed tooth, which appeared blue or black, as indicated by his Danish name: Harald Blåtand Gormsen, where ‘blå’ signifies blue and ‘tand’ means teeth. 
• References to Harald’s baptism, following his observation of Poppo’s miracle, appear later in various Icelandic sagas, notably in the Saga of Olaf Tryggvasson from the Heimskringla collection by 13th-century poet and historian Snorri Sturluson. Notably, in this saga, Harald is converted by Otto II alongside Jarl Haakon of Norway, who requests the Christianisation of all. Nevertheless, he later recommenced raiding and performing sacrifices, underscoring the idea that faith was an unstable construct during this era, with religion functioning mostly as a formal association. 
• Notwithstanding Widukind’s religious portrayal, Harald may have been primarily driven by political motives to convert, aiming to deter the Roman-German emperor from invading Denmark under the pretext of a crusade. The developing clerical culture in the Holy Roman Empire and the sacred veneration of the emperor may have increased the interest of pagan rulers in conversion as a means to enhance their authority. Although Widukind was a contemporary of Harald and Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, the historian Adam of Bremen, who recounts this narrative, lived a century later and possesses a divergent perspective.
• The emperor engaged in combat with the Danes, attributing the invasion to the assassination of Otto’s legates and margrave, as well as the devastation of a Saxon colony. Otto then devasted the land of Schleswig up to the gulf of Kattegat and was greeted by Harald. Pope Agapetus commended the church of Hamburg and granted Adaldag, archbishop from 937 to 988, the authority to consecrate bishops as papal legates to Denmark and other northern regions. Harald purportedly remained a proponent of Christianity; however, following his defeat in a rebellion supporting his son Sweyn Forkbeard, he was compelled to seek refuge among the Slavs, where he perished.
• Adam expressed his condolences to Harald, wishing for him to achieve the status of martyr. In one account, his remains were conveyed to Roskilde and buried in the church he had built in reverence of the Holy Trinity. 

REIGN OF HARALD BLUETOOTH

• Harald embarked on the endeavour to perpetuate his father’s mission of consolidating Denmark under a singular authority, achieving considerable success. He fortified his empire by enhancing current defences and constructing new ones. The ‘Trelleborg’ ring forts, regarded as some of the most significant remnants of the Viking Age, date back to his rule. Harald endorsed the new policy of religious toleration for Christians, permitting Bishop Unni of Bremen and Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Corvey to evangelise in Jutland. 
• Harald and the bishop established a warm, professional rapport; although he declined baptism, Harald seemed to endorse the proliferation of Christianity among the Danes. Having obtained eternal tranquility, Harald was able to engage with outward affairs, particularly those related to his kin. His sister, Gunnhild, sought refuge with Harald, accompanied by her five kids, following the death of her husband, King Erik Bloodaxe of Norway, in battle in Northumberland in 954.