Stenkil

The House of Stenkil is the modern name for the dynasty that ruled Sweden from about 1060 to the 1120s, taking its name from its first king. Stenkil came from Västergötland, married a daughter of King Emund the Old, and inherited the throne when the old royal line died out around 1060.

A devout Christian who tolerated pagan worship, he died around 1066 after a brief war with Norway. His death was followed by civil war between rival claimants named Eric, but his sons Halsten and Inge the Elder both held the kingship, and Halsten's sons Philip and Inge the Younger ruled after them.

With the death of Inge the Younger around 1125, the male line came to an end. The dynasty's daughters married into rival houses, so that nearly every Swedish king of the twelfth century, including the later House of Erik, could claim Stenkil blood.