Erik Emune's victory ended King Niels's reign and introduced large-scale cavalry warfare to Scandinavia.
Key Facts
- Date
- 4 June 1134
- Location
- Bay of Fotevik, Skåne
- Magnus Nielsen killed
- Yes, along with up to six bishops
- King Niels murdered
- 25 June 1134, in Schleswig
- Outcome
- Decisive victory for Erik Emune
- Civil war duration
- Intermittently 1131–1157
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The murder of Canute Lavard in January 1131, attributed to Magnus Nielsen or King Niels, ignited a civil war. Canute had a strong claim to the Danish throne as the legitimate son of Eric I, but was passed over when Niels took the crown. His half-brother Erik Emune took up arms in response to the killing.
On 4 June 1134, at the bay of Fotevik in Skåne, the forces of King Niels and his son Magnus Nielsen were surprised by German cavalry fighting for Erik Emune. Large-scale cavalry attacks were novel in Scandinavia at the time. Magnus Nielsen was slain along with several bishops and many priests accompanying the royal army.
After the defeat, King Niels fled to Schleswig, where he was murdered by the city's burghers on 25 June 1134. Erik Emune became King Eric II of Denmark. The civil war that the battle had helped to resolve continued intermittently until 1157, reshaping the Danish succession.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
King Niels of Denmark, Magnus Nielsen.
Side B
1 belligerent
Erik Emune.