Eric and Eric

In the tumultuous period following the death of King Stenkil around the years one thousand sixty-six to one thousand sixty-seven, two figures emerged as contenders for the kingship of Sweden: Eric and Eric. Their rivalry escalated into a fierce conflict that resulted in catastrophic consequences for the Swedish nobility. According to the chronicler Adam of Bremen, this war led to the demise of all the Swedish magnates, as well as the two kings themselves.

The aftermath of this conflict was profound, as it marked the extinction of the entire royal clan. This power vacuum significantly altered the political landscape of the kingdom and disrupted the spread of Christianity. The bishops appointed by the Archbishop of Bremen refrained from entering the region due to fears of persecution, leaving only the bishop in Scania to tend to the Christian communities among the Geats. Meanwhile, the Swedish Jarl Gnif worked to fortify his people's faith amidst the chaos.

While little is known about the personal lives of Eric and Eric, modern historians have speculated about their identities, suggesting one may have been a Christian son of Stenkil and the other a pagan. These conjectures have led to the informal designations of Eric Stenkilsson and Eric the Heathen, though there is no historical basis for these names. Adam of Bremen's account is the sole source mentioning the two kings, and despite their absence in other historical records, it is generally accepted that they were indeed real figures, as Adam was unlikely to fabricate characters so close to his own time.

Following the deaths of Eric and Eric, the throne of Sweden was claimed by Halsten, the son of King Stenkil, ushering in a new chapter in the kingdom's history.