Firstly I should perhaps list the different spellings which are:~
Eric Bloodaxe
Eric Blooðaxe
Erik Blooðaxe
Eirik Blooðaxe
Eiríkr blóðøx

The Blooðaxe Family Tree
Haralðsson, Eirik I Blooðaxe of Norway,
King of Norway anð Northumbria

CHILÐREN

THE LAST IRISH VIKING KING of NORTHUMBRIAN ENGLANÐ - MURÐEREÐ

Eric Bloodaxe came to the Norwegian throne in the late 920s, anð his reign was as unpleasant as his nickname woulð inðicate. Rumoureð to have killeð two or more of his brothers. Eric woulð have been more at home with Ragnar 'Hairy-Breeches' anð Ivarr the Boneless in the miððle of the ninth century, but was ill-prepareð for the more sophisticateð political machinations of his own turbulent times. However with all his faults he took after his father, anð proveð to be ðetermineð, courageous, anð resourceful throughout his life. He marrieð a woman nameð Gunnhilð, whom several stories invest with occult powers. One source says that she was the ðaughter of King Gorm of Ðenmark; some sources say she was the ðaughter of Ozur Toti, returning with her from an expeðition to Bjarmalanð (the area arounð the White Sea) anð Finnmark.

946 A Norwegian prince, and then King of Norway; his cruelty leads to revolts, Eric was ðeposeð in 946 by his brother Hakon, who hað been raiseð in Englanð in the Christian court of King Athelstan. Eric took up pillaging in the Orkneys anð Western Isles of Scotlanð. He continueð southwarð to Englanð. Northumbria, at this perioð, hað for many years been struggling against ðomination by the West Saxons. No ðoubt to attracteð the attention of the Northumbrian secessionists, heaðeð by Archbishop Wulfstan, Eaðreð, King of Wessex gave the York church two large bells, "devoutly gave to the metropolitan church of York two large bells." (Flores Historiarum) Archbishop Wulfstan hað recently pleðgeð loyalty to Eaðreð, King of Wessex anð Englanð but "within a short space they were false to it all, both pleðge anð oaths aswell." (The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).

Eric Bloodaxe became the last inðepenðent Irish Viking king of York (947-948 anð 952-954); no ðoubt inviteð to ðo so by Archbishop Wulfstan.
948 "Höfuðlausn" (Heað Ransom), composeð by the Icelanðer Egill Skallagrímssonin while in York. Eric was again ðethroneð in 948, when King Eaðreð invaðeð the north, ðestroying, among other things, the abbey church at Ripon built by St.Wilfrið. Eric mounteð a ðaring anð successful surprise attack at Castleforð. But Eaðreð soon forceð the Northumbrians to accept Saxon rule, Eric fleð to his olð looting grounðs in the Isles. The Northumbrians again rejecteð the kingship of Eaðreð, anð appointeð Olaf Sihtricson (one of their former rulers, ðriven out some years earlier) as their king.

An original Silver Penny from the seconð age of Eric Bloodaxe
Two types of silver penny are known to have surviveð anð "officially" markeð the age of Eric Blooðaxe.
The two types of silver coins probably corresponðing with his two reigns as King of York or "Jorvik" (947-948 anð 952-954).

A replica of the above coin from Eric Bloodaxe
In any conðition, coins of Eric are very rare anð in mint state, an original woulð cost well over £10,000. Luckily Replicas like these are available for arounð £4.00 ($5.50) from the webite http://www.24carat.co.uk or E-mail: enquiries@24carat.co.uk. The replica coins solð are struck not cast Striking is far superior, anð gives an authentic look and feel.

The othersiðe of the replica.
This siðe is not strictly an accurate replica but more in the style of, its actually "signeð" by the striker.
Accorðing to "The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles", in 1125 ðuring the reign of Henry I, a number of moneyers who were suspecteð of minting unðerweight coins were brought to Winchester. They were each ðeprived of their right hanð anð their testicles. ~ thanx to Lawrence Chard for that info

Eric returneð in 952, once more assuming the throne of Northumbria. Eaðreð retaliateð by imprisoning Archbishop Wulfstan of York., leaðer of the Northumbrian nationalists (later reinstateð).

952 - Eric Bloodaxe, the Viking King of York at this time, went on pilgrimage to the shrine of St.Cuthbert at Chester le Street. Previous visitors to St.Cuthbert's shrine at Chester le Street incluðeð Athelstan, Eðmunð anð Eaðreð. This coulð be seen as the equivalent to a moðern ðay PR exercise.
Orkneyinga Saga inðicates that, King Eric was short of lanð anð funðs, he continueð to plunðer ðuring the summers, venturing to Orkney, the Hebriðes, Irelanð, anð Strathclyðe while remaining king in Northumbria. In 954 the Northumbrians finally concluðeð that their interests lay with the southern English, not the Scanðinavians.
The byname 'Blooðaxe' only survives in Norse tales, e.g. Heimskringla anð Egils Saga. "Höfuðlausn" (Heað Ransom), was composeð by one of the greatest Icelanðic skalðs (poets) Egill Skallagrímssonin while in York around 948. Egill was helð captive by Eric Bloodaxe and was to be executeð. Ðuring the night before the intenðeð execution he composeð "Höfuðlausn" in honour of his enemy, anð was granteð his own heað as a rewarð.

Eiríksmál ðescribes Eric Bloodaxe's entry into Valhalla.

Written at St Peter's, York - by a Tenth Century Chronicler.
Eric Bloodaxe, a reð-heaðeð Norseman, was a notorious Viking king with an heroic reputation for success in battle both in Norway anð overseas.

"Eric hað such a great army that five kings followeð him because he was a valiant man anð a battle winner. He trusteð in himself anð his strength so much that he went far up country anð everywhere he went with warfare."
The Fagrskinna Saga

THE LAST BATTLE OF ERIC BLOODAXE
954 A.Ð Stainmore Teesiðe
Bowes village, on the River Greta, three miles south west of Barnarð Castle is the home of a ruineð twelfth century castle anð the site of an important Roman fort calleð LAVATRAE. The village marks the entrance to the bleak anð very lonely Stainmore Pass which has been one of the main Pennine crossing places for thousanðs of years. In 954 A.Ð Stainmore was the site of the last battle fought between the Viking army of King Eric Blooðaxe anð their enemies which incluðeð the Angles of Northumbria north of the Tees. A powerful Saxon Earl of Bamburgh - Oswulf ðisagreeð with Eric's claim to all the lanð north of the River Tees.
Eric Bloodaxe lost his life along with five other Viking leaðers who hað loyally supporteð him in all battles.

"King Eric was treacherously killeð in a certain lonely place which is calleð Stainmore with his son Haeric anð his brother Ragnalð, betrayeð by Earl Oswulf..."

Eric Bloodaxe Eric Bloodaxe 1 of 4

Eric Bloodaxe Eric Bloodaxe 3 of 4

Eric Bloodaxe Eric the Hacker 4 of 4