1. Absalon was a key figure in the Danish policies of territorial expansion in the Baltic Sea, Europeanization in close relationship with the Holy See, and reform in the relation between the Church and the public.
26 Facts About Absalon
1. 2.
Absalon combined the ideals of Gregorian Reform with loyal support of a strong monarchical power.
3.
Absalon was born into the powerful Hvide clan, and owned great land possessions.
4.
Absalon was granted lands by the crown, and built the first fortification of the city that evolved into modern-day Copenhagen.
5.
Absalon's titles were passed on to his nephews Anders Sunesen and Peder Sunesen.
6.
Absalon was the son of Asser Rig, a magnate of the Hvide clan from Fjenneslev on Zealand, and Inger Eriksdotter.
7.
Absalon was a guest at the subsequent Roskilde banquet given in 1157 by Sweyn for his rivals Canute V and Valdemar.
8.
Absalon probably did not take part in the following battle of Grathe Heath in 1157, where Sweyn was defeated and slain.
9.
Absalon was a close counsellor of Valdemar, and chief promoter of the Danish crusades against the Wends.
10.
Absalon formed a guardian fleet, built coastal defenses, and led several campaigns against the Wends.
11.
Absalon even advocated forgiving the earlier enemies of Valdemar, which helped stabilize Denmark internally.
12.
From Arkona, Absalon proceeded by sea to Charenza, in the midst of Rugen, the political capital of the Wends and an all but impregnable stronghold.
13.
The whole population of Garz was then baptized, and Absalon laid the foundations of twelve churches in the isle of Rugen.
14.
Absalon reformed the Danish church organisation to closer match Holy See praxis, and worked to keep Denmark a close ally of the Holy See.
15.
In 1167, Absalon was granted the land around the city of Havn, and built there a castle for coastal defense against the Wends.
16.
Absalon was interested in history and culture, and commissioned Saxo Grammaticus to write Gesta Danorum, a comprehensive chronicle of the history of the Danes.
17.
In 1171, Absalon issued the "Zealand church law", which reduced the number of Canonical Law offenses for which the church could fine the public, while instituting the tithe payment system.
18.
Eskil agreed on canonizing Valdemar's father Knud Lavard in 1170, with Absalon assisting him at the feast.
19.
Absalon initially resisted the new position, as he did not want to lose his power position on Zealand, but complied with Papal orders to do so in 1178.
20.
Absalon was a harsh and effective ruler, who cleared all Orthodox Christian liturgical remnants in favour of Papal standards.
21.
Under Canute VI, Absalon was the chief policymaker in Danish politics.
22.
Absalon kept his hostile attitude to the Holy Roman Empire.
23.
Absalon instead confined himself to the administration of the Danish empire.
24.
In 1192, Absalon made his nephew Peder Sunesen his successor as Bishop of Roskilde, while his other nephew Anders Sunesen was named the chancellor of Canute VI.
25.
Absalon had already given Copenhagen to the Bishopric of Roskilde.
26.
Absalon left a legacy as the foremost politician and churchfather of Denmark in the 12th century.