Anund Jacob of Sweden - Definition and Overview

Coin minted for Anund Jakob

Anund Jakob (king of Sweden 1022-1050) was born as Jakob but when the Thing was to elect him the co-ruler of Sweden, the people objected to his non-Scandinavian name. He was said to have the cognomen coal-burner as he had the habit of disposing of opponents by burning them to death inside their houses.

His political agenda was to maintain the balance of power in Scandinavia. That is why he supported the Norwegian kings Olaf II and Magnus I against Denmark's king Canute during the 1020s and 1030s. At the Battle of Helgeå, Anund and Olaf were defeated by Canute. Consequently, Canute subjugated for some time the core provinces of Sweden around lake Mälaren where he had his own coins minted in Sigtuna.

When Magnus I became king of Norway and Denmark in 1042, Anund Jakob supported him until his own death in 1050.

See also Early Swedish Kingdoms, House of Munsö.