Eric III of Denmark

Eric III Lamb (, – 27 August 1146) was King of Denmark from 1137 until 1146. He was the grandson of Eric I and the nephew of Eric II, whom he succeeded on the throne. He abdicated in 1146, becoming the first Danish monarch to do so voluntarily. His succession led to a period of civil war between Sweyn III, Canute V, and Valdemar I.

Biography Eric was born on Funen. His mother was Ragnhild, the daughter of King Eric I of Denmark, Eric was the nephew of Eric II of Denmark; he fought for Eric II at the decisive Battle of Fotevik in 1134, and succeeded him to the throne when he was murdered in 1137.

Not much is known of Eric's kingship; He married Lutgard of Salzwedel in 1144, which indicated an increasing German influence on Denmark. He and Lutgard had no children, though Eric fathered a son, Magnus, out of wedlock. After Eric died, Lutgard married Herman II of Winzenburg.