Sea-King Godfried
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Sea-King Godfried was the Danish Viking leader of most of Friesland between 880 and 885 and a nephew of Rorik. He succeeded his father Harald in 852. In 854, he accompanied Rorik in an attempt to take the Danish crown during the Danish civil war of 854, which wasn't a success. In 880, he looted Flanders using Gent as his stronghold. He became king after the death of Rorik in 881 and 882.
He commanded the Danish vikings on a huge pillaging campaign through Lotharingia. Places that were pillaged were: Maastricht, Liege, Stavelot, Prüm, Cologne and Koblenz. Holy Roman Emperor, Charles the Fat had to appoint him as duke of Friesland in 882. He converted to Christianity, married Gisela, daughter of Lothair II.
In 885, he was summoned to Lobith for a meeting. He wanted to conquer the whole of Lotharingia with the help of a son of Lothair II. In an act of treachery he was killed by a group of Frisian nobles. The West Frisian count Gerulf took over the West Frisian coastline from the Danish after the murder.
[edit] References
- Encyclopedia: Grote Winkler Prins
- Algemene Geschiedenis der Nederlanden (AGN)
