Draft:Valdemarian Age

Valdemarian Age
1157–1241
Valdemar the great, the first king in the Valdemarian age
Monarch(s)	Valdemar I Canute VI Valdemar II Junior kings: Valdemar the Young Erik IV
Chronology Civil War Era Codex Holmiensis

The Valdemarian Age (Danish: Valdemarstiden) commonly also referred to as the Valdemars (Danish: Valdemarene) refers to a 84-year long period in Danish history between 1157 and 1241, beginning with the reign of Valdemar I, and ending with the death of Valdemar II. The period is heavily centered around the Danish Crusades in the Baltic Sea.

It should be noted that the reigns of Valdemar III (r 1326-1329) and Valdemar IV (r 1340-1375) is not counted in the Valdemarian Age.

Danish Civil War and background

Main article: Danish Civil Wars

Valdemar I of Denmark, Sweyn III of Denmark and Canute V of Denmark

Before Valdemar the Great, there were several contestants to the Danish throne. One of these were Magnus the Strong. Magnus had hoped to become king of Denmark after his father's inevitable death, but was concerned that Canute Lavard would instead take the throne. Magnus would then become co-king with his father, Niels. This was unacceptable for Eric, another contender and grandchild of Sweyn II of Denmark. Eric would lead a revolt against magnus, which eventually turned into the civil war. Magnus would die in the Battle of Fotevik and Niels would try to flee Denmark for the Holy Roman Empire, thought he would not make it past the city of Schleswig, where he would be killed. Eric now ruled as sole king of Denmark as Eric II (as the memorable) until he died in 1137.

At this time, most of the contestants to the Danish throne weren’t of age, so Eric II was succeeded by his nephew, Eric III of Denmark. Erik III abdicated due to health problems, which left a royal power vacuum in Denmark. Three men now contested the throne. Sweyn, Canute and Valdemar. Sweyn was the strongest of the contenders, recieving the support from the majority of nobels.

Valdemar and Canute had thus made an alliance, and Valdemar became co-ruler in 1156. Sweyn came with German reinforcements with the intent to retake Denmark, though peace negotiations began in spring 1157. An agreement was made to divide Denmark into three parts: Valdemar was to have Jutland, Canute was to have Funen, and Sweyn was to have Zealand and Scania. To celebrate the deal, Sweyn hosted a feast in Roskilde, yet during this feast his men murdered Canute and wounded Valdemar in what would later known as the Bloodfeast of Roskilde (Danish; Blodgildet i Roskilde). Valdemar fled to Viborg and gathered Canute's followers to engage in battle against the pursuing Sweyn. The opposing armies met at the Battle of Grathe Heath, where Valdemar's considerably smaller force defeated Sweyn, who, according to legend, was killed by an angry peasant while fleeing from battle.

Reign of Valdemar I the Great

Main article: Valdemar I of Denmark

During the Danish civil war, Sweyn III was said to have allied with the pagan Wends against his rivals for the throne. Valdemar, being hostile to the wends, saw an opportunity for Christian expansion. He and bishop Absalon send a fleet against the pagan Rügen. The Danes then plundered the settlement and destroyed the statue of Svetovit first chopping its four heads of, then burning it. Rügen was conquered and converted, and Valdemar returned home to Denmark.

Valdemar’s reign started with heavy domestic opposition. Both Erik Lamb’s son, Magnus Eriksen, and Henrik Skadelår’s son, Buris, lead rebellions in Denmark. These rebellions were easily defeated. A later rebellion in Scania did lead to a major battle at Dösjebro. The Scanians, being heavily outgunned, were defeated in the Battle of Dösjebro. Valdemar's reign saw Canute Lavard declared as a Saint and Absalon recognized as rightful Archbishop by Eskil of Lund. Valdemar created a strong administrative system, strengthened Denmark’s political influence, strengthened the economy, and life expectancy increased.

Cnut VI

Main article: Canute VI of Denmark

Contemporary donor portrait of Canute in Stehag Church, Scania

Cnut VI was born in 1163 to Valdemar I and Sophia of Minsk. He was confirmed co-king by his father in 1165 and later too in 1170. He became sole king in 1182 after his father’s death.

In 1184, the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa, sent a messenger to confirm Canute as his vassal. Canute refused this, with Absalon declaring Canute as a “free and sovereign king, just like the emperor”. Frederick, being enraged by this, send his vassal, Bogusław, to invade Denmark. Canute was in Jutland at that time, therefore Absalon had the responsibility to meet the Pomeranian fleet. Absalon succeded in capturing 35 Pomeranian ships with only 7 of his own ships being captured. Canute then ordered two invasions of Pomerania and Bogusław was forced to pay homage to Canute. Canute took full control of Pomerania, with him taking the title King of the Wends to further emphasize his rule. A failed rebellion in 1189 would lead to further suppression of the Pomeranians. He would soon acquired the Slavic territory of Mecklenburg and the holdings of German frontier princes, thereafter adding Slavorumque rex (King of the Slavs) to his regal title. After 1192, Danish policy towards the south was conducted by Canute’s brother Valdemar, who extended Danish territories to beyond the Oder and in Holstein.

Canute strengthened Denmark's role in European politics by having his sister, Ingeborg, married the French king, Phillip II, in return for some danish support in his war against England and a 10,000 silver mark dowry. The marriage was strained, and Phillip almost immediately asked for an annulment. Cnut refused this and send a delegation to Pope Celestine III, asking him not to annul it. She would continue to be Phillips wife for the rest of his life.

Canute also lead crusades to both Finland and Estonia. These crusades did not lead to any major settlements and was mostly overshadowed by his younger brother’s later crusades in 1207 and 1219