Hemming Halfdansson (died 837) was "of the Danish race, a most Christian leader".[1] He was probably a son ofHalfdan, a leading Dane who became a vassal ofCharlemagne in 807. He was probably related to the Danish royal family, as "Hemming" was one of their favoured names. Theonomastic evidence includes the Danish kingHemming I (reigned 810–12) and then a Hemming II, who was recalled to Denmark fromFrancia by his brothersHarald Klak andReginfrid after Hemming I's death. This Hemming was probably the same person as Hemming Halfdansson. He probably soon returned to Francia, since there is no evidence of him in Danish politics after he and his brothers were driven out by the sons ofGodfrid in 813.[2]
It is probable that Hemming was received by the Franks and grantedWalcheren, a fortress inFrisia, as abenefice. It may have been held earlier by his father, it was certainly granted in 841 to the DanesHarald andRorik. He, along with its Frankish count, Eccihard, died defending it from aViking attack in 837.[3] Probably both Eccihard and Hemming were responsible for the defence of Frisia from the Vikings, as acapitulary of 821 refers to "the counts who are responsible for coastal defence". If so, Hemming appears to have been the superior, sinceThegan of Trier in hisGesta Hludowici imperatoris, an account of the reign ofLouis the Pious, names him first when recording the dead, followed by "another leader, Eccihard, and many of the emperor's nobles".[4] On the other hand, Hemming may have been acourtier sent by the emperor to aid the local leader, Eccihard.