Eric was well liked by the people and the famines that had plagued Denmark during Olaf Hunger's reign ceased.

Medieval chroniclers, such as Saxo Grammaticus, and myths portrayed Eric a “strapping fellow” appealing to the common people.

Though a presumed supporter of a strong centralized royal power, he seems to have behaved like a diplomat, avoiding any clash with the magnates.

On a visit to the Pope in Rome he obtained canonization for his late brother, Canute IV, and an archbishopric for Denmark (now Lund in Scania), instead of being under the Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen.

King Eric announced at the Viborg assembly that he had decided to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

The cause, according to Danmarks Riges Krønike, was the murder of four of his own men[clarification needed] while drunk at a feast in his own hall.

[7] Canute Lavard, king Eric's legitimate son, was a chivalrous and popular Danish prince.