Thorfinn, the Unfortunate

After his uncle Harold, the Baron Kuldiga, died in 1622, his younger cousin, Haroldson, became a ward of King Thorfinn's father, Hardecanute, the Long Nose.

When his father became King in 1626, Thorfinn, Haroldson and Thorfinn's younger brother, Sweyn, lived together with the King in Citadel Excalbia. All three alike were regarded as princes and sons of the King. In time, Haroldson grew to be the stronger warrior and, when Hardecanute died in 1648, Haroldson expected to take the throne.

However, Thorfinn had cultivated the support of the barons, who had persuaded Hardecanute, on his deathbed, to name Thorfinn his successor. Haroldson refused to accept his uncle's will and vowed that he would be king.

Thorfinn reigned only a little over a year - hence the appellation "the Unfortunate" - dying in 1649 of a sudden, unexplained illness. It is widely believed that he was poisoned by his cousin, Haroldson, who went on to proclaim himself King. Haroldson's reign, however, proved to be even shorter than Thorfinn's, and by the end of the year, Thorfinn's son, also named Thorfinn, was on the throne in his father's place.