Fridlevus II

Fridleif, Fridlevus or Fritleff is a legendary king of the Danes.

Ynglinga saga

According to Ynglinga saga, he was a son of Fróði of the Skjöldung (Scylding) lineage. In that work he was the brother of Halfdan and the father of Áli the Strong.

Gesta Danorum

Fridleif is also mentioned in Book VI of Gesta Danorum by Saxo Grammaticus. In this, he was also a son of Frode and was being reared in Russia at the time of Frode's death. The Danes believed that Fridleif had also perished, and therefore gave the crown instead to a poet named Hiarn. Fridleif was called to the aid of his kinsman Halfdan, governor of Sweden after his father Erik, to help defeat 12 Norwegian brothers who were attacking his country. Fridleif killed 11 of the brothers, but subsequently recruited the strongest of the brothers, Biorn. During this adventure, he learned of his father's passing and then returned to Denmark, revealing to the people that he had not died as previously believed. Hiarn refused to yield the throne, leading to civil war. Hiarn disguised himself to infiltrate Fridleif's court and kill him, but was discovered. Fridleif defeated Hiarn in single combat and became king of Denmark.

The family tree of legendary Kings of the Danes, according to the Gesta Danorum (Books I to VII)

Kings of the Danes are in bold and marked with an asterisk (*). Kings of the Swedes are marked with a dagger (†). Humble KEY Angul Dan* Grytha Marriage or coupling Parent and child The Angles Humble* Lother* King of the Saxons Inheritance by other or unclear means Sigtryg, King of the Swedes† Skiold* Alfhild Sumble, King of the Finns Gróa Gram*† Signe Henry, King of the Saxons Hakon, King of the Nitherians Swipdag*† [unnamed] Guthorm* Hadding* Ragnhild Asmund† Gunhild Guthorm Henry Uffe† Hunding† Thorhild Ulfhild Ubbe Scot Ragnar† Swanhwid Handwan Thorwald Frode* [unnamed] Hothbrodd† Halfdan* Ro Skat Thora Helge* Ro* Athisl† Urse King Gewar Rolf*† Krage Rute Bjarke Skulde Hiartuar†* Hother†* Nanna Herlek Gerit Rorik* Gerwendil King of Britain Gerutha Horwendil Feng [unnamed] Amleth Hermutrude, Queen of Scotland Wiglek* Wermund* Frowin, governor of Sleswik Uffe*, aka Olaf the Gentle [unnamed] Ket Wig Dan* Hugleik* Frode* the Vigorous Dan* Kraka Ragnar Brak Fridleif* the Swift Gotar, King of Norway Hun, King of the Huns Westmar Koll Gotwar Roller Erik† Gunwar the Fair Alfhild Frode* Hanund Grep 11 other brothers (two named Grep) Hythin, King of Tellemark Alf Eyfura Arngrim Grubb Hiarn* Amund, King of Norway [unnamed] Halfdan† 12 sons, including Anganty Ane Juritha Fridleif* Frogertha Frok Hanef, King of Saxony Swerting, King of Saxony Olaf Frode* Siward† Unnamed sons [unnamed] Ingeld* Helga Helge Asa Frode Fridleif Ingeld Olaf* Karl, governor of Gothland Ulfhild Frode* Hather, a chief Harald* Signe Erik Thorhild Halfdan*† Biargramm Harald Asmund Kings of Norway Name spellings are derived from Oliver Elton's 1905 translation, The First Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus, via Wikisource.

Chronicon Lethrense

In the Chronicon Lethrense, Fritleff came from the northern regions during the reign of Aki, married the daughter of Rolf Kraki, and had a son by her named Frothi. He then killed King Aki and became king in his place. When he died, he was succeeded by Frothi, who was nicknamed Largus (possibly meaning "the Generous" or "the Tall").

The family tree of legendary Kings of the Danes, according to Chronicon Lethrense

Kings of the Danes are in bold and marked with an asterisk (*). ♂ Ypper, King of Uppsala KEY ♂ Nori ♂ Østen ♂ Dan* ♀ Dannia Marriage or coupling Parent and child ♂ Rolfcarl, aka Rolf, a baron ♂ Ro* ♀ Ro's wife Succession by other means ♀ Thora ♂ Helge* ♂ Halfdan* ♂ Athisl, King of Swethia ♀ Ursula ♂ Raka*, a dog ♂ Siward Albus ♂ Snyo* ♂ Hiarwart†* ♀ Sculd ♂ Rolf*† Kraki ♂ Hamund ♂ Aki* ♂ Haghbard ♀ daughter of Rolf Kraki ♂ Fritleff* ♂ Frothi* Largus ♂ Ingyald* ♂ Olav* ♀ Asa* ♂ Harald* Hildetan (war-tooth) ♀ Hethae* The source used for the genealogical information and name spellings is the English translation provided by Mischa Hooker of Augustana College.