Eric I^[1] (c. 1056 – 10 July 1103), also known asEric the Good[2]^[3][4] (Danish:Erik Ejegod), wasKing of Denmark following his brotherOlaf I Hunger in 1095. He was a son ofSweyn II. His mother's identity remains unknown. He marriedBoedil Thurgotsdatter.

Eric I
Coin of Eric Evergood
King of Denmark
Reign	1095–1103
Predecessor	Olaf I
Successor	Niels
Born	c. 1056 Slangerup, Denmark
Died	10 July 1103 (aged 46–47) Paphos, Cyprus
Burial	Chrysopolitissa Basilica,Paphos, Cyprus
Spouse	Boedil Thurgotsdatter
Issue	Canute Lavard Illegitimate: Harald Kesja Eric II Ragnhild Jyde Eriksdatter
House	Estridsen
Father	Sweyn II of Denmark

Eric was born in the town ofSlangerup in NorthZealand - the largest Danish island. During the rule of his half-brotherCanute IV he was an eager supporter of the king, but he was spared during the rebellion against Canute. Eric remained at the royal farm instead of accompanying Canute toSt Albans priory in Odense, where Canute was killed. Eric talked his way off the farm and fled to Zealand and then toScania, which was part of Denmark during that time.Olaf I Hunger was elected King of Denmark, but his reign was short. At last Eric was elected as a king at the severallandsting assemblies in 1095. Eric was well liked by the people and the famines that had plagued Denmark during Olaf Hunger's reign ceased. For many it seemed a sign from God that Eric was the right king for Denmark.

Medieval chroniclers, such asSaxo Grammaticus, and myths portrayed Eric a “strapping fellow” appealing to the common people. He could keep his place when four men tried their best to move him. Eric was a good speaker, and people went out of their way to hear him. After ating assembly concluded, he went about the neighborhood greeting men, women and children at their homesteads. He had a reputation as a loud man who liked parties and who led a rather dissolute private life. Though a presumed supporter of a strong centralized royal power, he seems to have behaved like a diplomat, avoiding any clash with the magnates. He had a reputation for being ruthless to robbers and pirates.

On a visit to the Pope in Rome he obtainedcanonization for his late brother, Canute IV, and anarchbishopric for Denmark (nowLund inScania), instead of being under theArchbishop of Hamburg-Bremen. BishopAsser then became the firstArchbishop of Lund.

King Eric announced at the Viborg assembly that he had decided to go on pilgrimage tothe Holy Land. The cause, according toDanmarks Riges Krønike, wasthe murder of four of his own men^{[clarification needed]} while drunk at a feast in his own hall.^[5] Despite the pleas of his subjects, he would not be deterred. Eric appointed his son,Harald Kesja, andBishop Asser as regents.

Eric and Boedil and a large company traveled through Russia toConstantinople where he was a guest of the emperor. While there, he became ill, but took ship for Cyprus anyway. He died atPaphos, Cyprus in July 1103. The queen had him buried there. He was the first king to go on pilgrimage afterJerusalem was conquered during theFirst Crusade.^[6] Queen Boedil also became ill, but made it to Jerusalem where she died. She was buried at the foot of theMount of Olives in theValley of Josaphat.

Eric and Boedil had one legitimate son,Canute Lavard. Harald Kesja was Canute's half-brother. Eric had two sons outside marriage—Eric II the Memorable and Benedict—and one daughter, Ragnhilde (mother of the future kingEric III Lamb).^[7]

Canute Lavard, king Eric's legitimate son, was a chivalrous and popular Danish prince. Canute was murdered 7 January 1131 by Eric's nephewMagnus the Strong, the son ofKing Niels, who viewed Canute as a likely competitor for the throne. Canute's death occurred days before the birth of his child,Valdemar, who would become King of Denmark from 1157(54) to 1182. Eric Ejegod is the ancestor of laterDanish monarchs.

• Sigurd the Crusader a Norwegian king, who went on crusade in 1107