Eric the Victorious (VI), Old Norse: Eiríkr inn sigrsæli, Modern Swedish: Erik Segersäll, (970?- 995), was king of the Swedes during the last two decades of the 10th century.
The extent of his kingdom is disputed. In addition to the Svealand heartland round lake Mälaren it may have extended down the Baltic Sea coast as far south as Blekinge. Details on Eric's reign are sparse. It is claimed that he defeated a major Danish army under the command of his nephew Styrbjörn Starke at the Fyris Wolds at Old Uppsala, from which his accolade "the victorious" stems. In all probability he founded the town of Sigtuna, which still exists and where the first Swedish coins were stamped for his son and successor Olof Skötkonung.
Eric is claimed to have married Sigrid the Haughty, daughter of Mieszko I of Poland, in the 980s.
According to the Sagas, Eric the Victorious ruled together with his brother Olof (II) Björnsson. After Olof Björnsson's death, Eric proclaimed his still unborn child co-ruler instead of his nephew Styrbjörn Starke. The disinherited Styrbjörn was to attack Eric with a large Danish force. The victory rendered Eric the cognomen "Victorious".
However, Adam of Bremen, who is considered to be more reliable than the sagas, only gives Emund Eriksson as predecessor to Eric the Victorious. He does, however, not claim that Emund was the father of Erik, and nothing contradicts the possibility that Emund and Björn were co-rulers, like Erik and Olof and their semi-legendary ancestors Björn at Hauge and Anund Uppsale.
See also: House of Munsö, List of Swedish monarchs
