Valdemar IV Atterdag

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Valdemar IV Atterdag

(born c. 1320, Denmark — died Oct. 24, 1375, Schleswig) King of Denmark (1340 – 75). A son of King Christopher II, he sought to free Danish lands from foreign domination. He sold Estonia (1346), gained control of Zealand (1349), and subdued a revolt in Jutland (1350). By regaining Skåne from Sweden, he completed the reunification of his father's kingdom (1360). His aggressive foreign policy led to conflict with Sweden, North German principalities, and the Hanseatic League, which defeated him in 1368, forcing him to concede trading privileges but allowing his kingdom to remain intact. The marriage of his daughter Margaret to the Norwegian king Haakon VI made possible the unification of Denmark and Norway.

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