Randers

Randers is a city in Randers municipality (Aarhus County) on the Jutland peninsula in central Denmark. It is Denmark's 6th largest city with a population of 55,739 (2004). It is the main town of the municipality and the site of its municipal council .

History

Randers was established around the 1100s, but there has also been discovered evidence of population from Viking times.

Related Topics:
1100s - Viking

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Canute IV of Denmark (ca. 1043-1086), also known as Canute the Saint and Canute the Holy, and patron saint of Denmark, minted coins in the town. The peasants who rose up against him and his plans to attack England and its ruler, William the Conqueror, assembled in this town. Their uprising led to his death.

Related Topics:
Canute IV of Denmark - Patron saint - England - William the Conqueror

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The town was fortressed throughout much of the Middle Ages. Today, however, the only sign of defensive walls is the evidence of their existence in street names. These streets follow a circular path, presumably following the location of the historic walls. Street names include Østervold ("Eastern Defense Wall), Nørreport ("Northern Gate"), Vestervold ("Western Defense Wall), and Lille Voldgade (Little Defense Wall Street").

Related Topics:
Middle Ages - Defensive wall

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A chronicle written at Essenbæk Cloister tells of a fire that ravaged the city. The city was destroyed three times in the 1200s, including in 1246 when it was burned down by Abel of Denmark's troops during the civil uprising against Eric IV of Denmark.

Related Topics:
Chronicle - Abel of Denmark - Eric IV of Denmark

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On a street in the town center is the house where Danish nobleman and national hero Niels Ebbesen, according to legend, killed Count Richard (Gerhard) III of Holstein on April 1, 1340 during the Kingless Times, when the entire country was pledged to German counts. This action led to further insurrection against the Germans. Ebbesen died in a large battle at Skanderborg Castle (Skanderborg Slot) in December 1340.

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A statue to Ebbesen is erected in front of Randers' Town Hall today.

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When King Valdemar IV of Denmark (Valdemar Atterdag) tried to assemble a government in 1350 after the mortgaging to the Holsteiners, the town was further reinforced with protection, and was often named as Randershus ("Randers Fortress"). This fortification was captured by dissatisfied nobility in 1357. In 1359 Valdemar attacked the captured city with the strength all of his forces.

Related Topics:
Valdemar IV of Denmark (Valdemar Atterdag) - 1357 - 1359

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In 1534 a farmers uprising tried to storm the town unsuccessfully. Massive moats were set up around the town under the rule of King Christian III (1536-1559).

Related Topics:
1534 - Christian III

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During its peak there were alamost 170 merchants' estates in the area, and a sizeable navy that sailed around the world. Some of these old half-timbered estates and manor homes can still be seen in the town.

Related Topics:
Half-timbered - Estates - Manor homes

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According to "The Popular Encyclopedia or Conversation Lexicon", Blackie & Son c 1890, it contained at that time an arsenal, a classical school with six professors, and had several industrial establishments, including manufactures of gloves, for which it had long been famous. The town was also known for salmon, rope, and pretty women.

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The harbour near the town had only 7½ feet of water, but there was a good shipyard; and at some distance below, at the mouth of the fjord, there was another harbour with 9 to 10 feet water, and roads with good anchorage in 4 to 5 fathoms. Randers was important militarily, and could encamp from 10,000 to 15,000 men in the town and its neighbourhood, in a position which could not easily be forced. Population in 1880: 13,457.

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