The Medieval History of the Egypto-Norse
875-1443
The Viking Age 875-910
Egypt's first three Kings remained true to their Viking ancestry, retaining their Pagan beliefs and hyper-militarized society. It was during this period that the Egypto-Norse realm's potentially insecure position was solidified and made a permanent aspect of Mediterranean politics.
Björn, Ironside, Ragnarrsson af Munsö
Lived: (est.) 821-889
Petty King of Svipjod: 860-872
High King of Svipjod: 872-880
King of Egypt: 880-889
Head of House af Munsö: 860-889
The Viking Age covers the reigns of Egypt’s first three Kings. The greatest of these was the conqueror of Egypt himself – Björn Ironside. Having become a legendary figure was the single largest raid in Norse history – inflicted upon the Mediterranean, Ironside unified the Swedes before setting off on a greater journey. From 875-880 he conquered Egypt, then in his old age he abandoned his homeland for Egypt altogether.
Eirikr I, the Wise, Björnsson af Munsö
Lived: 840-898
King of Egypt: 889-898
Head of House af Munsö: 889-898
Eirikr I ruled rather briefly, continuing the Pagan and Viking heritage of his people he nonetheless became the first Egypto-Norse ruler to find an accommodation with the local Coptic Christians – whose support he against the Muslims he won, marking the beginnings of the Norse drift towards Oriental Orthodox Christianity.
Hakon, the Cruel, Eirikrsson af Munsö
Lived: 880-910
King of Egypt: 898-910
Head of House af Munsö: 898-910
Hakon was the last of Egypt’s Viking Kings, and the most terrible of them all. Bringing back raiding on a massive scale he was fiercely traditionalist – opposing any acceptance of the values of the natives at the expense of traditional Norse views and beliefs. His most famous act was the Sack of Rome in 906.
The Christianising Period 910-999
During the 10th century Egypt converted to the native Coptic Christianity, by the end of the century the country's Christianity was undisputed and the threat of Muslim invasion had been ended.
Saint Eirikr II, the Pious, Björnsson af Munsö
Lived: 879-946
King of Egypt: 910-946
King of Nubia: 910-946
King of Africa: 930-946
Head of House af Munsö: 910-946
More than any other monarch Saint Eirikr II, the Pious defined the Egypto-Norse of the Medieval era. Against massive opposition from his own nobility he converted to the local Coptic variant of Christianity – facing the consequences of his decision in the form of rebellion by the Norse nobility. He also forged a bond that would last a century with the Byzantines in opposition to the powerful Abbasid Caliphate. Beyond this he oversaw the expansion of Egypt’s borders to the South and West.
Birger I, the Monk, Eirikrsson af Munsö
Lived: 903-957
King of Egypt, Africa and Nubia: 946-957
Head of House af Munsö: 946-957
Birger took the conversion of Egypt to heart, possessing an intense personal devotion he continued to strengthen the grip of Coptic Church on Egyptian society, although he resisted allowing the Norse elite to be subsumed entirely by the culture of the Egyptians – this resistance on the part of the elite is one of the defining reasons that a distinct Egypto-Norse culture emerged rather than the Egyptians integrating the Norse entirely. Beyond this Birger moved Egypt’s capital from Aswan (where Björn had built his) to Alexandria.
Eirikr III Birgersson af Munsö
Lived: 935-961
King of Egypt, Africa and Nubia: 957-961
Head of House af Munsö: 957-961
Eirikr III lived for only a brief time before dying of illness. That said he sealed the alliance between Byzantium and Egypt with marriage for the first time and saw Egypt’s first holdings in Italy secured.
Alfgeir I, the Chaste, Eirikrsson af Munsö
Lived: 957-999
King of Egypt, Africa and Nubia: 961-999
King of Abyssinia: 973-999
Head of House af Munsö: 961-999
Under Alfgeir I the Christianisation of Egypt was all but completed as open and massive state mandated persecution of Pagans began – leading the infamous ‘Viking Exodus’ to Eilat, Sinai. Alfgeir’s reign also saw the conflict between the Arabs and the Christian powers of Egypt and Byzantium shift decisively in the Christian’s favour. Abyssinia and the South-Western coastline of Palestine fell into Egyptian hands whilst the Byzantines seized Jerusalem.
The Ascent of Egypt 999-1083
The 11th century saw Egypt ascend to the ranks of the Great Powers, with all the problems that go with it. The period also saw the birth of a tri-polar system in the Mediterranean as the Andalucians, Byzantines and Egyptians struggled for dominance; the Arab Caliphate – although in decline – was also a significant player during this period.
Eirikr IV, the Scarred, Alfgeirsson af Munsö
Lived: 974-1012
King of Egypt, Africa, Nubia and Abyssinia: 999-1012
King of Jerusalem: 1004-1012
Head of House af Munsö: 999-1012
Eirikr IV was a largely unpopular monarch, most remembered for his anti-Muslim policies of persecution. He also expanded Egyptian power in Palestine – taking lands to the East and North of Jerusalem. However Sardinia was lost.
Hrane I, Eirikrsson af Munsö
Lived: 995-1040
King of Egypt, Africa, Abyssinia, Jerusalem and Nubia: 1012-1040
Head of House af Munsö: 1012-1040
Hrane ruled for a significant and relatively peaceful period. Egypt took more lands in the Levant, restored power in Sardinia and Corsica – and most importantly took Egypt’s first territories on the Italian mainland in the form of the wealthy cities of Genoa and Pisa. Importantly his reign saw Egypt’s old alliance with Byzantium finally die as the Romans invaded Egypt in the last years of his reign.
Alfgeir II, the Ill Ruler, Hranesson af Munsö
Lived: 1018-1080
King of Egypt, Africa, Abyssinia, Jerusalem and Nubia: 1040-1080
King of Italy: 1067-1080
Head of House af Munsö: 1040-1080
Alfgeir II is a figure derided by history. After making peace with the Byzantines in the first days of his reign (surrendering a small amount of land in Palestine). He ruled arbitrarily, looking to crush internal dissent – but secured massive territorial gains for Egypt. Capturing Rome in 1045, he placed his mother on the Italian throne in 1047, before inheriting the Kingdom in 1067. He also made inland gains in the Levant. His terrible legacy his largely defined by his failure to prevent Egypt falling into an anarchic period that began with the outbreak of Civil War in 1078.
Eirikr V Alfgeirsson af Munsö
Lived: 1054-1083
King of Egypt, Africa, Italy, Abyssinia, Jerusalem and Nubia: 1080-1083
Head of House af Munsö: 1080-1083
Eirikr V ended the Civil War with victory on the field of battle, but lost control of Egypt to the anti-monarchical forces within the country who arranged his assassination before taking power through the regency council of his son.
Pax Aegyptus 1083-1220
The Pax Aegytus was Egypt’s Golden Age of political and economic stability. During this period Egypt became the known world’s premier power, grew to economically dominate the Mediterranean world, and until the later years of the period enjoyed unprecedented political stability.
Johan I, the Great, Eirikrsson af Munsö
Lived: 1081-1130
King of Egypt, Africa, Italy, Abyssinia, Jerusalem and Nubia: 1183-1130
King of Arabia: 1110-1130
Head of House af Munsö: 1083-1130
Coming to the throne as a baby, Egypt suffered over a decade of turbulent regency council in which anti-monarchists, a faction centred on Pisan mercantile interests and pro-crown faction struggled for supremacy. After finally coming to lead the government Johan consolidated control in Italy and conquered the better part of Arabia (including the Hedjaz) – establishing borders that would remain largely unchanged throughout the period. Most importantly he established the political stability that was to define this great period in Egyptian history.
Eirikr VI Johansson af Munsö
Lived: 1106-1153
King of Egypt, Africa, Italy, Abyssinia, Arabia, Jerusalem and Nubia: 1130-1153
Head of House af Munsö: 1130-1153
Benefitting from the peaceful period he lived in Eirikr VI eradicated the last Norse Pagan community in Egypt at Eilat and captured Antioch from the Byzantines.
Kol I Eirikrsson af Munsö
Lived: 1123-1163
King of Egypt, Africa, Italy, Abyssinia, Arabia, Jerusalem and Nubia: 1153-1163
King of Syria: 1162-1163
Head of House af Munsö: 1153-1163
Little occurred within Egypt’s borders during Kol’s reign, a stark contrast to the chaos in the Byzantine Empire. This chaos allowed for the spectacular invasion of Achaia by Pagan Norse invaders – who were subsequently destroyed by the Egyptians, beginning centuries of occupation of Achaia.
Johan II, the Young, Kolsson af Munsö
Lived: 1153-1166
King of Egypt, Africa, Abyssinia, Arabia, Jerusalem, Syria and Nubia: 1163-1166
Head of House af Munsö: 1163-1166
After their father’s death Johan inherited an Egypt that was separated from Italy for the first time in a century. However, Johan died as a direct result of his regent’s negligence after just three years on the throne.
Eirikr VII, the Impaler, Kolsson af Munsö
Lived: 1163-1220
King of Italy: 1163-1220
King of Egypt, Africa, Abyssinia and Arabia: 1166-1220
King of Jerusalem and Nubia: 1166-1167
King of Syria: 1166-1171
Head of House af Munsö: 1166-1220
Bringing Italy back into the Egypto-Norse realm, Eirikr’s early years saw Egypt suffer through the instability of faction battles for control of the regency. After coming into his majority Eirikr built a reputation as a ferocious figure – famed for his passion for impaling enemies. Notably, as the last King of the great period his reign saw the arrival of the Mongols in Central Asia.
The Age of Decline 1220-1322
The Mongol invasions of the 13th century exhausted the Egyptian monarchy, sending the country into an era of decline with a series of internal conflicts tearing the country apart.
Johan III Eirikrsson af Munsö
Lived: 1186-1221
King of Egypt, Africa, Italy, Abyssinia and Arabia: 1220-1221
Head of House af Munsö: 1220-1221
Johan III ruled for less than a year before being assassinated by the Persian Shah – just as the Mongols stood poised on his border.
Eirikr VIII Johansson af Munsö
Lived: 1204-1228
King of Egypt, Africa, Italy, Abyssinia and Arabia: 1221-1228
Head of House af Munsö: 1221-1228
Eirikr was a man of questionable mental stability, whose brief reign saw Hulegu and the Mongols advance up to Egypt’s border.
Edla Eirikrsdottir af Munsö
Lived: 1221-1260
Queen of Egypt, Africa, Italy, Abyssinia and Arabia: 1228-1260
Queen of Bavaria: 1242-1259
Head of House af Munsö: 1228-1260
Edla was dominated by groups of military men throughout her reign. Her rule saw Egypt reach the pinnacle of its power for a time when she married the King of Bavaria. However under her rule Egypt was assailed by its greatest ever challenge as first Hulegu invaded the Middle East before coordinating with the Golden Horde (which had swept across Eastern Europe) in a second invasion. Although Hulegu was twice beaten, the Golden Horde conquered both Bavaria and Italy.
Helena, the Biwitched, Sigtryggsdottir af Munsö
Lived: 1239-1295
Queen of Egypt and Arabia: 1260-1295
Queen of Bavaria: 1259-1271
Queen of Africa and Abyssinia: 1260-1283
Queen of Italy: 1260-1288
Queen of Jerusalem: 1284-1295
Head of House af Munsö: 1260-1295
The hated Queen Helena witnessed a collapse in Egyptian power. The most defining moment of her reign was the rebellion of Jarl Hakon the Bold who secured the Kingdoms of Africa and Abyssinia for his sons.
Bo I, the Conqueror, Johansson af Munsö
Lived: 1267-1310
King of Egypt, Arabia and Jerusalem: 1295-1310
King of Africa: 1300-1310
Head of House af Munsö: 1295-1310
Helena’s son was the greatest King of this dark time in Egyptian history. He restored control over Africa and conquered Southern Mesopotamia. However, the failings of his successor meant that he was unable to bring an end to the era of decline.
Ingjald, the Weak, Bosson af Munsö
Lived: 1287-1335
King of Egypt, Arabia and Jerusalem: 1310-1323
King of Africa: 1310-1322
Head of House af Munsö: 1310-1323
Bishop of Alvand: 1329-1335
Finishing his life as a Bishop in Mesopotamia, Ingjald is the only Egypt-Norse monarch to survive his own overthrow. His reign was defined by a Civil War that saw Africa break free and his brother overthrow him.
The Rebirth 1323-1443
In the final century of the Middle Ages Egypt returned to a period of greatness. Rising to a pinnacle of power not seen since the Golden Age of the Pax Aegyptus. However, unlike that previous great period, the 14th century saw an almost tyrannical monarchy in near constant struggle with a nobility desperately fighting against centralization.
Buðli I, the Bold, Bosson af Munsö
Lived: 1290-1360
King of Egypt, Arabia and Jerusalem: 1323-1360
King of Mesopotamia: 1330-1360
King of Africa: 1343-1360
Having overthrown his own brother and then subsequently turned against the very nobility that had supported his rise to power Buðli was a hated figure during his life. However time only improved his legacy. During his reign he secured significant territorial gains – in Mesopotamia and Cyrenaica. He also secured the African throne – laying claim to Shia Andalucian ruled Africa.
Buðli II Buðlisson af Munsö
Lived: 1339-1381
King of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Africa, Arabia and Jerusalem: 1360-1381
Head of House af Munsö: 1360-1381
Following on from his father Buðli II was opposed by his own nobility for his centralising policies and secured territorial gains – notably in Oman, thus unifying Arabia under Egyptian rule. But his reign was dominated by the effects of the Black Death that swept away a huge portion of Egypt’s population, but in the long term prevented a total economic collapse.
Buðli III Buðlisson af Munsö
Lived: 1365-1396
King of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Africa, Arabia and Jerusalem: 1381-1396
Head of House af Munsö: 1381-1396
Buðli III was the man who faced down the great Timur the Lame. Although he won several victories over Timur, he also suffered crucial defeats, when his generals demand that he relinquish his crown to his brother in 1396 he took his own life.
Bo II, the Blessed, Buðlisson af Munsö
Lived: 1370-1443
King of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Africa, Arabia and Jerusalem: 1396-1443
Head of House af Munsö: 1396-1443
Taking over from his brother with the armies of Timur bearing down upon Baghdad Bo was able to finally defeat the invasion and secure peace. His long rule saw Egypt enter into a period of stability and peace, and most notably saw the unification of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Christianity into a single loose communion.
.
