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 pope, but later did support him. With the help of Lothair and other allies and German mercenaries, Eric defeated Niels' army in 1134.
Niels died a year later, slain by the townspeople of Schleswig as he tried to get to Lothair III for refuge.
Niels was the last surviving son of Sweyn—whose sons reigned for a combined 60 years—and the reign passed to Eric the Memorable, who reigned as King Eric II of Denmark. He was a ruthless man who met a sudden end after only a few years. I'll share that story next time.
