The Children of Sweyn, Part 3

After the untimely death of King Eric the Evergood in Cyprus, his brother Niels became King of Denmark, the latest of the sons of Sweyn II to become king. He was born c.1063, and his reign began in 1104.In 1105 Niels married the daughter of Inge I "the Elder," King of Sweden. Her name was Margaret Fredkulla "Maiden of Peace"), and she had previously been married to King Magnus III "Barefoot" of Norway (who died in 1103) as part of a peace treaty. Rumor said Niels left many of the affairs of state in Margaret's hands. They had a son, Magnus "the Strong" Nielsen, who became ruler of Geatland in southern Sweden in the 1120s. Margaret even minted her own coins. (The illustration shows a coin with Niels' image.)There was trouble with Eric the Memorable, the son of Niels' older brother Eric Evergood. Eric rebelled against Niels' reign, losing several battles against Niels and Magnus the Strong. Eric hoped to make an ally of the Holy Roman Emperor Lothair III, who was busy trying to depose a…