The Powerful Danish Kings

This chapter tackles the political developments in Scandinavia, focusing on the Danish kings. It tells the story of how they developed Jelling, which lies in southern Jylland, into both their personal residence and the center of the kingdom. Furthermore, the chapter dissects the inscription on the large Jelling stone which read: “King Harald ordered this monument made in memory of Gorm, his father, and in memory of Thyra, his mother; that Harald who won for himself all of Denmark (Danmǫrk) and Norway (Norvegr) and made the Danes Christian.” Over a thousand years later, Harald's nickname, Bluetooth, was borrowed by Intel developers for the name of its new wireless technology — for just as Harald had united Scandinavia, so the Intel engineers saw their innovation as one that could unite digital devices. Furthermore, the chapter discusses the impact of hegemony over Viken, which afforded the Danish kings control over the trade routes to and from northern Norway, along the coast, up the main waterways, and inland.