King of Norway
Eric Bloodaxe was the second king of Norway, being the son of Harald Fairhair. Eric was the favorite of his father, and after Harald’s death, went into war with his half-brothers, Olaf and Sigrød, defeated them, and reigned over the full of Norway. Eric’s rule was reputed to be cruel, and the people soon fell out of favor with him. It was at that time, that Eric’s brother Haakon, who had been sent to England to be raised by the Anglo-Saxon king, Æðelstan, returned to his rightful home. Finding a population angry with Eric and too happy to have Haakon as their king, Eric was thrown out of Norway, an exile.
Rule over Northumbria
Eric was elected king of Northumbria, an English kingdom in what is eastern Scotland. There also he was kicked out, and an English king replaced him. A few years later, Eric came to power once again. See, the Northumbrians were in a serious dilemma. Æðelstan and his wife, Æðelfled, were planning to conquer Northumbria. The previous king somehow came out of power, and the Archbishop elected Eric as king. Eric’s reign didn’t last long. The English were simply too powerful.
Death and Conclusion
Eric was an exile, AGAIN. Suddenly, one of his guards pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the back. Such was the death of Eric Bloodaxe, thrice king and thrice exile.
Anay Ganesh 