This song tells the story of the battle of Fotevik. A very important battle in the history of Denmark. Like most medieval battles it was fought over pretty complicated succession and clergical politics but suffice to say, the king who got beheaded was named Niels, and the Erik who is challenging him...
A mighty fleet came across the strait
But Erik was prepared
Five hundred Germans had come to his aid
On horseback with their spears
The fleet was carrying two thousand men
Eager to draw blood
But as they were about to land
Erik released his hordes
One thousand men and five hundred horsemen
Came charging down the beach
When the sea-king saw this force
He gave order to retreat
All obeyed except one ship
It held the king's own son
He despised the thought of flight
And attacked on his own
The Danish fleet had to turn around
They charged King Erik's men
But it was too late to save his son
His life was already spent
The fighting continued bloody and fierce
And the bloodshed was immense
Two thousand warriors died that day
Most of them were Danes
The Danish king was captured
Most of his guards were dead
For a ransom he was released
Then his people took his head
The Beheading of a King was written by Olavi Mikkonen & Johan Söderberg & Johan Hegg.
The Beheading of a King was produced by Amon Amarth & Berno Paulsson.
Amon Amarth released The Beheading of a King on Mon Sep 06 2004.