Hemming

Apart from secondary sources King Hemming (810-811) is only known from three of the annals of the Frankish Empire; the annals of 810, 811 and 812. These were probably all written by an archchaplain at the cathedral of Köln in the period 814-818, who based his account of Hemming on two real sources:

• 1) a notitia on the peace between Franks and Danes
• 2) a resumé of the meeting between the emperor and king Hemming's messengers in October or November 811.

The mentioning of Hemming's dead in the 812 annal is a learned construction from the fact that a new Danish king had to be elected.

The two real sources correspond very badly so one of them must be out of place, and it is rather obvious that it must be the notitia, which has to do with the peace conclusion mentioned in the 813 annal. Thus the "rex Danorum Hemmingus" becomes the brother of the two kings, who were elected 812. The Danes that he ruled, did not live in later Denmark north of the river Eider, but probably in Zeeland at the outlet of the river Schelde. He died there 837 according to Thegan and Annales Fuldenses and was called a most christian duke of Danish origin. As his father Halphdan was the elder brother of King Godfrid he supported his brother Anulo's claim by asking emperor Charles for help and presenting himself as hostage until the final peace was concluded.