# King Eric — Styrbiorn the Strong character guide > King Eric in Styrbiorn the Strong by E. R. Eddison. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Eric, King, King Eric Biornson, The King **First appearance:** 0002-styrbiorn-the-strong ## Snapshot King of Sweden and Styrbiorn's uncle, Eric rules from Upsala with a cold pragmatism that masks old guilt and older rivalries. ## Who they are King Eric sits armed in his chair with a drawn sword across his knees, a ruler who has learned to distrust even his closest advisors. He keeps three dubious men—Helgi, Thorgisl, and Thorir—whose whispered talk of Styrbiorn's ambitions he tolerates without endorsing. His cold reception of Styrbiorn's unexpected return, and his refusal to speak of the night's events, reveal a king who prefers silence to confrontation—until silence is no longer possible. ## Relationships ### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/styrbiorn_the_strong) _rivalry_ Bitter enemies and rivals for the Swedish throne, with Eric ultimately defeating and killing Styrbiorn. ### [An](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/an) _rivalry_ An is an enemy of King Eric, opposing him in battle and conflict. ### [Thorgnyr Thorgnyrson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/thorgnyr_thorgnyrson) _professional_ Thorgnyr is a wise and influential law-speaker and advisor to King Eric. ### [Earl Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/earl_wolf) _professional_ Earl Wolf is a loyal jarl and military commander serving under King Eric. ### [Palnatoki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/palnatoki) _rivalry_ King Eric and Palnatoki are adversaries, as Palnatoki supports Styrbiorn against Eric. ### [Tosti](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/tosti) _professional_ Tosti is a loyal follower and warrior serving King Eric. ### [Thyri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/thyri) _family_ Thyri is King Eric's sister, and their relationship is strained due to political and personal conflicts. ### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/styrbiorn_the_strong) _rivalry_ Bitter enemies and rivals for the Swedish throne, with Eric ultimately defeating and killing Styrbiorn. ### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/styrbiorn_the_strong) _rivalry_ Bitter enemies and rivals for the Swedish throne, with Eric ultimately defeating and killing Styrbiorn. ### [An](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/an) _rivalry_ An is an enemy of King Eric, opposing him in battle and conflict. ### [Earl Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/earl_wolf) _professional_ Earl Wolf is a loyal jarl and military commander serving under King Eric. ### [Thorgnyr Thorgnyrson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/thorgnyr_thorgnyrson) _professional_ Thorgnyr is a wise and influential law-speaker and advisor to King Eric. ## In the story ### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/styrbiorn-the-strong) Styrbiorn's uncle and rival; refuses to share rule, leading to Styrbiorn's exile and eventual invasion. ### [I: On King Olaf's Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/i-on-king-olaf-s-howe) King of Sweden, uncle to Styrbiorn, refuses to grant Styrbiorn his inheritance until he is sixteen, and tries to maintain order after the killing. ### [II: Thorgnyr the Lawman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/ii-thorgnyr-the-lawman) Returns from guesting to hear of the illegal Thing and the proclamation of Lambi the White; confronts Thorgnyr with anger and sorrow, admitting his love for Styrbiorn. ### [III: Queen Sigrid the Haughty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/iii-queen-sigrid-the-haughty) King Eric visits Skogul-Tosti, feasts for nine days, and woos Sigrid for himself after she mistakes his intent. ### [VII: Eric and Styrbiorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/vii-eric-and-styrbiorn) Tests Styrbiorn's obedience by remaining aloof; ultimately approves of Styrbiorn's decision to leave. ### [VIII: The King and the Queen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/viii-the-king-and-the-queen) Welcomes Styrbiorn warmly, arranges for him to be co-king, and proposes the match with Thyri. ### [A Banquet in Upsala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/ix-a-banquet-in-upsala) Hosts the great feast and betrothal banquet, planning to grant Styrbiorn half the kingdom at the Thing. ### [X: Broken Meats in Upsala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/x-broken-meats-in-upsala) Roused by the Queen's cry, hears her accusation, and banishes Styrbiorn from the realm. ### [King Eric's Hosting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xiv-king-eric-s-hosting) Consults with Thorgnyr, calls a Thing, reforms laws, and prepares for battle against Styrbiorn. He is resolute but appears joyless and driven by iron purpose. ### [XV: Fyrisfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xv-fyrisfield) Commands the Swedish host, uses Queen Sigrid's tactic of stampeding beasts, and returns home victorious but heavy-hearted. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/king_eric - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters