Abel of Denmark

Abel of Denmark (1218-1252), was Duke of Schleswig from 1232 to 1252 and King of Denmark from 1250 until his death. He was the son of Valdemar II by his wife, Princess Berengária of Portugal, and brother to Eric IV and Christopher I.

Related Topics:
1218 - 1252 - Schleswig - 1232 - Denmark - 1250 - Valdemar II - Princess Berengária of Portugal - Eric IV - Christopher I

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His mother was a daughter of Sancho I of Portugal and Queen Consort Dulce Berenguer, Princess of Aragon. Dulce was herself a daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona and Queen Regnant Petronila of Aragon.

Related Topics:
Sancho I of Portugal - Queen Consort - Aragon - Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona - Queen Regnant - Petronila of Aragon

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Abel succeeded to the throne on November 1, 1250, after the death of his brother Eric IV. Eric IV was apparently slain by two of Abel's men after a year-long conflict between the two brothers, and even though Abel and twenty-four noblemen swore an official oath ("dual dozen's oath", in (Danish "dobbelt tylvter-ed") that the Duke had no part in the killing, it was (and still is) widely believed that King Eric was killed at his brother's bidding. "Abel by name, Cain by his deeds" (Danish, "Abel af navn, Kain af gavn"), or so people said.

Related Topics:
November 1 - 1250 - Danish - Abel - Cain

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Abel and Queen Mechtildis only ruled for a year and a half, however, before Abel was killed in battle on June 29, 1252. His half-grown son Valdemar was held for ransom by the Archbishop of Cologne at the time, and so it was Eric and Abel's youngest brother Christopher I, who was crowned King on Christmas Day 1252.

Related Topics:
June 29 - 1252

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