The article refers to the death of Eric V in 1286 that through 700 years has drawn a big interest, which is reflected in ballads and folksongs in XIII–XVI centuries. The folksongs give various motives in attempt to explain why the murder took place. One of them is a story of seduction of a noble’s wife Ingeborg by the king and transformation of this version into revenge story. It is first of all this interpretation of the history that was taken up as a plot in the drama and historical novel of XIX century, which makes it a part of national history, trying to find a solution of a conflict between the historical person and his surrounding world. The XX century shows a broader variety of explanations, versions and forms referring both to the historical facts, but also using the literary works from the past as sources. The XX century stops thinking about a history as a process and partly makes a myth and a fiction of king’s murder, using it as a subject for discussing the relevant questions of modern times.
