Thyra (fl. 891 or 936)

views updated

Thyra (fl. 891 or 936)

Queen of Denmark. Name variations: Thyri Klacksdottir. Flourished around 936 (some sources cite 891); daughter of Klack-Harald, king of Jutland; possibly the wife of Gorm the Old of Jutland, king of Denmark (r. c. 883–940) or possibly the wife of Harald Bluetooth; children: possibly Harald Bluetooth (c. 910–986), king of Denmark (r. 940–986); Knut "Danaást."

Gorm the Old was one of the first kings to rule over a united Danish kingdom. Thyra, queen of Denmark, was possibly his wife or she was the wife of his son Harald Bluetooth, who established Christianity in a consolidated Denmark and reigned from around 940 to his death in 985. Because of the constant incursions of Viking fleets during the summer months, the Danes had become masters of far-flung territories, including much of northeast Britain (pre-sent-day Scotland). While the men of Denmark were off raiding France, the British Isles, and the Low Countries, Queen Thyra was left to rule. Aware that Denmark was defenseless in the summer while the Vikings were away, the Germans continually invaded the unprotected southern border of Denmark and raided its great trading center at Slesvig. It is said that Thyra raised a great wall, parts of which are still extant, over a period of three years. Called the Danneverke, the wall served as a bastion of defense in the southern region for centuries to come.