Gorm the Old: The Unveiling of a Viking Legend (936-958)

Gorm the Old, a prominent figure in Danish history, ruled as king from around 936 to 958 AD, laying foundational stones for the unified Danish kingdom. Recognized as the first historically documented king of Denmark, Gorm's reign marked the beginning of the Danish monarchy's consolidation in the region. He established his rule at Jelling, in southern Denmark, which became the cradle of the Danish kingdom, where significant runic stones and burial mounds from his era have been discovered. Gorm was succeeded by his son, Harald Bluetooth, who would continue his father's work in uniting Denmark and converting the Danes to Christianity. Gorm's legacy is commemorated by the Jelling stones, with one stone raised by Harald in memory of Gorm and his wife, Thyra, heralding them as the unifiers of Denmark.