Harold Bluetooth Gormson

Most of us are familiar with the term Bluetooth. This new technology has been instramental in connecting cell phones, PDAs, computers, and printers without the unneccessary confines of wires and cables. The familiar logo utilizes the Nordic runes (or letters) for H and B, but do you know where the name comes from? The Ericsson Corporation named the technology after Harold Bluetooth Gormson, a Scandinavian king from the tenth century, who temporarily united Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under one ruler.

No one is certain where Harold's nickname Bluetooth (Blatonn in old Norse) came from. Bla literally means blue or dark, so it is probable that he had a darkened tooth, possible caused by an accident. However, it is believed that the nichnamed came much later.

Born in 911, Harold (also known as Harold II), was the son of Gorm the old, King of Denmark, and Thyra, the daughter of a nobleman. Thyra's father was partial to the beliefs of Christianity, and so she tried to distill these beliefs in her son. Gorm, however, tried to dispel these belifs, sacking ch=urches and killing Christians during invasions.

Harold succeeded his father a year after Gorm was forced to tolerate Christianity and restore the sacked churches. After Gorm's death in 935, Benedictine monks traveled to the Danish Isles. While they didn't immediately cinvince him to seek baptism, their beliefs did eventually win Harold over. He was baptized in 970.

Harold did much for the spread of Christianity; however, he violated many biblical commandments. While the Christian god was now a recognized part of Norse life, he in no way superseded their already existing gods. The Norse simply melded the Pagan and Christian beliefs. When Harold was defeated by his son's band of heathens, it was looked on by many as a punishment from Heaven.

While the Norse sagas portray Harold negatively, the reality is that he did much for the econonomy as well as the military. He constructed the Ravninge Bridge in Scandinavia. It is five meters wide, 760 meters long, and it remains the oldest known bridge in existence. He also built forts in several strategic locations. They were, "perfectly circular with gates opening to the four corners of the earth, and a courtyard divided into four areas which held large houses set in a square pattern."

During his rule, Harold twice went to the aid of Richard the fearless of Normandy. After the assassination of Harold Graafeld of Norway, Harold Bluetooth was able to take control, making the first tome that Denmark, Norway, and eventually Sweden were united under one crown. Sadly, the Germans took Norway, and Harold was slain by his traitorous, pagan son. While his reign has all but been forgotten, his name promises to live for many years to come.