Eric Anundsson

Who was Eric Anundsson?

Eric Anundsson or Eymundsson was a Swedish king who ruled during the 9th century. The Swedish encyclopedia Nordisk familjebok identifies Eric with the legendary Swedish king Erik Weatherhat.

He is given as the son of Anund Uppsale in Hervarar saga:

However, the Eric who was contemporary with Harald Fairhair is called Eymundsson by Snorri Sturluson. Since the preceding king is confirmed as Anund by other sources, Anundsson is probably the correct form of the patronym. The names Eymund and Anund were equivalent enough for the later king Anund Jacob to be called Emund, in the Westrogothic law. Consequently, Eric's patronym would not be the only instance where the two names were confused.

According to Hervarar saga, he was preceded by his father Anund Uppsale and uncle Björn at Hauge and he was succeeded by Björn. Landnámabók informs that Eric and his son Björn ruled during the time of the Pope Adrian II and Pope John VIII, i.e. in the period 867-883, the time of the first settlement of Iceland. Harald Fairhair's saga relates that Erik died when Harald Fairhair had been king of all Norway for ten years, i.e. 882.