The skull & crown of Swedish King Erik IX
. Researchers from Uppsala University have opened a small gilded box containing the skull and bones of King Erik IX of Sweden.
King Erik became a national saint after he was murdered in 1160.
The researchers also removed the king’s burial crown, to display it to the public for the first time.
The crown is the oldest known royal crown in Sweden.
The knowledge about King Erik IX is sparse and Uppsala University said it hopes DNA tests and X-ray scans of the bones can reveal more about his origins.
Some sources suggest his father may have been English.
According to legends, the king was b~headed and miracles occurred after his death.
Uppsala Cathedral was later built on the murder site, to house his remains.
. ctvnews.
. The skull and crown of Swedish 12th century King Erik IX, displayed in Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden.
Picture~Bertil Ericson
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