Styrbjörn Starke or Styrbjorn the Strong was the semi-legendary son of Olof (II) Björnsson, and the nephew of Eric the Victorious. At his father's death, ca 980, Björn could claim greater right to the throne of Sweden, than Eric's own soon to be born son.

Youth

Styrbjörn was unusually big, strong and unruly (for a Viking) and although he was only a little boy he managed to kill a courtier who accidentally had hit him on the nose with a drinking horn.

When he was 12 years old he asked his uncle for his birthright, but when he was denied the co-rulership of Sweden he sulked for a long time on his father's mound.

When he was 16 the Ting decided that he was too unruly to be king of Sweden. Eric decided to make his own unborn child co-regent on the condition that it was a son. As a compensation his uncle Eric gave him 60 well-equipped longships whereupon the frustrated Styrbjörn took his sister Gyrid and left.

Career

He ravaged the shores of the Baltic Sea and when he was twenty, he conquered the stronghold of Jomsborg from its founder Palnetoke, and became its ruler.

After some time he allied with the Danish king Harold Bluetooth and married his sister Gyrid to him. Styrbjörn married Harold's daughter Tyra, whom he was given by Harold for conquering Jomsborg. (Styrbjörn had the son Torkel Styrbjörnsson with Tyra. Torkel had a daughter named Gytha Thorkelsdóttir, who married Godwin, Earl of Wessex and became the mother of Harold II of England).

the Battle of the Fyris Wolds

Harold gave him even more warriors and now Styrbjörn was about to reclaim the throne of Sweden. He sailed with a huge force which included 200 Danish longships in addition to his own Jomsvikings. When they arrived at Föret (Old Norse: Fyris) in Uplandia he burnt the ships in order to force his men to fight to the end. The Danish force changed its mind and returned to Denmark.

Styrbjörn marched alone with his Jomsvikings to Gamla Uppsala. His uncle was, however, prepared and had sent for reinforcements in all directions.

During the first two days, the battle was even. In the evening, Eric went to the statue of Odin at the Temple at Uppsala where he sacrificed. He promised Odin that if he won the battle, he would belong to Odin and arrive at Valhalla in ten years from then.

The third day, Eric threw his spear over the enemy and said "I sacrifice you all to Odin". The Swedes were winning, and the Danish warriors fled. Only Styrbjörn and his sworn men stayed, and died.

Archaeological evidence

• On a runestone in Hällestad , Hallandia it is said: "Eskil raised this stone after Toke Gormsson, his beloved master. He did not flee at Uppsala."

• A runestone in Sjörup , Scania, relates: "He did not flee at Uppsala, but fought as long as he had weapons."