Valdemar IV of Denmark

Valdemar Atterdag (c. 1320 - October 24, 1375) was a King of Denmark (1340 - 1375).

Related Topics:
1320 - October 24 - 1375 - Denmark - 1340

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He was the youngest son of Christopher II and spent most of his childhood and youth in a German exile after the defeats of his father. Here he acted as a pretender waiting for a come-back.

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1340 he was elected king following the assassination of Count Gerhard III, although his territory at this time was limited to the northernmost county of Jutland. King Valdemar is a pivotal figure in Danish history; he gradually reacquired the rest of Jutland and Zealand, and finally reunited Denmark by capturing Scania and the island of Gotland in 1361. However, the resulting conflict with the Hanseatic League ended in a Danish defeat, and in 1370 he was forced to submit to the Treaty of Stralsund. This defeat did not prevent him from trying to regain the lost South Jutland, an attempt which was about succeeding at his sudden death.

Related Topics:
Count Gerhard III - Jutland - Zealand - Scania - Gotland - 1361 - Hanseatic League - 1370 - Treaty of Stralsund

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Valdemar IV must be regarded as one of the most important of all Danish medieval kings. The sources leaves the impression of an intelligent, cynic, reckless and clever machiavellian ruler with a certain instinct of politics and economy. He was succeeded by his grandson Oluf III of Denmark, the offspring of his daughter Margaret and Haakon VI of Norway, son to Magnus II of Sweden.

Related Topics:
Oluf III of Denmark - Margaret - Haakon VI of Norway - Magnus II of Sweden

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His nickname "Atterdag" is usually interpreted as "day again" (its literal meaning in Danish), but it is also possible it is a misinterpretation of the low German phrase "ter tage" ("these days"), which can best be interpreted as "what times we live in!"

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He is buried in the church at Sorø Academy in Sorø, Denmark.

Related Topics:
Sorø Academy - Sorø

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