Önund or Bröt-Anund (trail-blazer Anund or Anund the land-clearer) (d. ca 640) was a legendary Swedish king of the House of Yngling.

Anund succeeded his father Ingvar on the Swedish throne, and after his father's wars against Danish vikings and Estonian pirates, peace reigned over Sweden and there were good harvests. Anund was a popular king who became very rich, not only because of the peace and the good harvests but also because he avenged his father in Estonia. That country was ravaged far and wide and in the autumn Anund returned with great riches.

In those days Sweden was dominated by vast and uninhabited forests, so Anund started making roads and clearing land and vast districts were settled by Swedes. Consequently he was named Bröt-Anund. He made a house for himself in every district and used to stay as a guest in many homes.

One autumn, King Anund was travelling between his halls (see Husbys) and came to a road called Himmenhed passing between two mountains. He was surprised by a landslide which killed him.

We all have heard how Jonkur's sons,

Whom weapons could not touch, with stones

Were stoned to death in open day,

King Onund died in the same way.

Or else perhaps the wood-grown land,

Which long had felt his conquering hand,

Uprose at length in deadly strife,

And pressed out Onund's hated life.[1]

However, according to Historia Norwegiae, he was murded by his brother Sigvard. Thorsteins saga Víkingssonar relates that he also had a brother named Olaf.

He was the father of the infamous Ingjald ill-ruler.

Primary sources

• Ynglingatal
• Ynglinga saga (part of the Heimskringla)
• Historia Norwegiae

Secondary sources

Nerman, B. Det svenska rikets uppkomst. Stockholm, 1925.