At one period in history, as revealed by some old maps, it can be determined that Denmark once extended from southern Sweden and Norway, over the northern part of what is now Germany, to England and Ireland. Then these wandering explorers discovered Iceland in 874 -- reached Greenland and settled there in 986.
North America was discovered by these “Kings of the Sea” in the 10th century, having landed in a place they called Vinland. However, as this was only an excursion by a Norseman named Lief Ericson, no official record or charts were made. This son of Eric the Red came to the coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in search of new fishing waters.
During this period -- the time of Gorm the Old (860-936) Denmark became one Kingdom by uniting provinces of Jutland, Zeland, Angelis, Schleswig-Holstein and southern portions of Sweden and Norway. The first Danish king to establish a real power in England was Svend I (985-1014). His son Canute, who died in 1036, also ruled England, Denmark, and part of Norway. During his reign, the feudal system of land ownership and government was established. Although this system was in vogue about a thousand years, the country was greatly weakened by internal strife and the delegating of power to nobles of provinces.
Shortly after this period, in 1066, William the Conqueror led his 60,000 Norman followers into the island kingdom from Flanders and Normandy. This was the Viking tribe which two centuries before had made deals for territory in lieu of ransacking villages and overpowering their inhabitants. William the Conqueror led the third stream of Jute-Anglo-Saxon blood which poured into England.
Denmark is the “mark,” meaning border of the Danier or Danes. Considering the Danes as a Gothic tribe, a language was established called “Dansktonga” or Danish Tongue. This primitive language was used until the 14th or 15th century, when it was called “Norse.” Some form of organization was established by forming small divisions in Jutland. Each division or clan had a petty chief called “småkong,” or small king. By the union of these tribes, a semblance of a military force was made formidable. Since prehistoric times there have always been disputes of geographical boundaries. Here begins the recorded history of this country of many clans, as the inhabitants had been called only the “Kings of the Seas” until the 10th century.
During and after the 11th century it may be noted that great advances were made in Denmark. Those who settled and ceased marauding excursions, cleared land and built villages. Larger farmers became estate lords, who made their own laws and settled local disputes. this sudden development caused jealousy and disputes with neighboring clans. The influence of the monk Anskar who moved in from the south in 826 was now beginning to be felt in the 10th and 11th centuries. For a period, the advance of Christianity caused much prosperity in the southern provinces of Denmark. Clearing land and advances in agriculture were the important reasons for this advancement.
The struggle against the movement from the south was being greatly felt in Holstein and South Schleswig. The ruling families under the Valdemars (12th century) tried stubbornly to organize the provinces into greater unity. The re-organized military system also finally succeeded in repelling the North German influence for a time.
Denmark then became involved to maintain influence in the Baltic. This placed so much pressure on the ruling families that they finally had become so financially indebted to the Holstein counts that the Holstein provinces had to be abandoned. The king was then forced by the aristocratic families to sign the “Great Charter” in 1282, 67 years after the Magna Carta in England. This compelled the king to establish an annual parliament to rule with the Council of the Danish Realm. The purpose of this council was to control the activities of the king, and it was destined to be effective for nearly four centuries.
The turmoil in the southern provinces was partly restored by Valdemar IV, Atterdag about 1370. He died in 1375. His daughter, Queen Margarethe was successful in the northern and eastern areas of Denmark to unite Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Thus was established a new Danish empire -- the union of Kalemar, which included the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland and parts of Finland. Sweden’s part in the union was short-lived, because in 1523 there was a complete secession after continued turmoil, political conflicts and wars with Sweden, as well as revolt of peasants against the nobles. The nobles won, and again Denmark was due for a period of prosperity under the rule of the Oldenburg family. Christian I was the first under this ruling family (1448-1481). From then on, all kings were alternately numbered with the names Frederic and Christian until the death of Frederic IX in 1971 at the age of 77. Queen Margarethe inherited the throne -- this with one exception -- Hans (John) 1481-1513.
The Lutheran movement advanced northward from Germany, gradually moving through Jutland and the Danish islands. With the reformation, the state took control of the church. The king was set up as the head of the church of Denmark, with the bishops as officials of the king.
Now again under the reign of Christian IV (1588-1648) came a period of prosperity. A systematic form of trade was established with neighboring nations in an effort to strengthen the armies. These efforts, however, failed in the coming centuries because it came too late. Differences between the king and the nobility caused Denmark to fade in the leadership of Scandinavia. Its power was gradually reduced by the revolt of Sweden from the union with the Danes.
The separation of Sweden from Denmark also had some good effects on Denmark. The Danes were now coming into a period of advanced agricultural production and trade. However,, during the reign of Christian IV (the builder) the government again almost became bankrupt. Many churches, castles, government buildings were built, adding to the debt.
The Swedes in many successful military campaigns pushed the Danes from island to island, and even into Jutland. Denmark opposed the Swedes stubbornly, but was finally forced to sign a peace treaty in 1660. This was a beneficial agreement for the Danes, and was made possible by the efforts of the Danish navy in addition to the intervention of the Netherlands. The provisions and agreements of the treaty of 1660 were not adhered to and many costly wars resulted in a new agreement -- the 1720 treaty with Sweden.
Because the government was still in a state of near bankruptcy, King Frederick III assumed a position of autonomy. Legislation, finance, roads, schools and even local administration of provinces were taken over by the national government. The churches and church property were already in the ownership of the state. Denmark now (1660-1750) had one king to replace several “småkonga” of the various provinces. Greater national unification now prevailed, and agriculture and trade increased. Livestock and dairy products were in great demand in the British Isles. Danish modern furniture, porcelain and silverware made up a large part of foreign trade.
Provincial wars and revolutions had taken a toll on the economy, mostly due to the infiltration of Germans from the south. The new surge of prosperity was timely in saving the state. The southern provinces of Holstein and southern part of Schleswig were still in financial trouble. Germans were still migrating north and the German influence was greatly felt and opposed by the Danes. In the mid-18th century John Frederick Struenses was beheaded, and publicly drawn and quartered without flinching on April 28th, 1772. This brutal execution was punishment for his Germanism and alleged misconduct with Queen Caroline Matilda.
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