Abel, King of Denmark facts for kids

King Abel depicted in one of the Kronborg Tapestries at Kronborg Castle.

Abel Valdemarsen (born 1218 – died 29 June 1252) was an important figure in Danish history. He was the Duke of Schleswig from 1232 to 1252. Later, he became King of Denmark in 1250 and ruled until his death in 1252.

Abel was the son of King Valdemar II and his second wife, Berengaria of Portugal. He was also the brother of two other Danish kings, Eric IV and Christopher I.

As Duke of Schleswig, Abel had many disagreements with his brother, King Eric IV. Some people even suspected him of being involved in Eric IV's murder in 1250. To prove his innocence, Abel took a special oath. After this, he was chosen to be king.

Abel's time as king was very short, lasting only about a year and a half. He died during a military trip to Frisia. Even though his reign was brief, Abel started a new line of dukes in Schleswig. This family, known as the "Abel family," ruled the Duchy of Schleswig until 1375.

Becoming Duke of Schleswig

In 1232, Abel's older brother, Eric, was chosen to rule alongside their father, King Valdemar II. At the same time, Abel was picked to take Eric's place as the Duke of Schleswig.

In 1237, Abel married Matilda of Holstein. She was the daughter of Adolf IV of Holstein. That same year, Count Adolf retired to a monastery. Because of this, Abel spent several years helping to govern for his young brothers-in-law, John I of Holstein-Kiel and Gerhard I, Count of Holstein-Itzehoe.

Duke and Conflicts

In early 1241, Duke Abel was leading a Crusader army. They were planning to invade Novgorod. However, he had to stop the campaign. This was because his father, King Valdemar II, had passed away.

After Valdemar II's death in 1241, Abel's brother Eric became King Eric IV of Denmark. In the years that followed, Duke Abel fought against his brother. He wanted the Duchy of Schleswig to be more independent.

Abel's forces raided lands as far north as Randers. They caused trouble for King Eric's supporters. Then, they moved into Funen. King Eric fought back a year later. He surprised Abel's soldiers in Schleswig. Abel's young daughter Sophie had to escape quickly.

The fighting continued until 1250. Then, Abel's sister, Sophie of Denmark, helped arrange a peace agreement. This truce lasted until Eric was murdered. King Eric was visiting Duke Abel's home in Schleswig when he was killed.

Becoming King

King Eric IV was killed by Abel's chamberlain, Lage Gudmundsen, and others. The king's body was found in the Schlei river.

Abel and twenty-four noblemen swore a special oath. This oath, called the "dual dozen's oath," stated that Abel had no part in the killing. However, many people still believed that King Eric was murdered because his brother wanted it. People would say, "Abel by name, Cain by his deeds."

After taking the oath and clearing himself, Abel was declared King of Denmark. This happened at the Viborg Assembly on November 1, 1250.

Death of King Abel

King Abel ruled for only about a year and a half. He received news that farmers in Frisia were refusing to pay their taxes. Abel gathered an army to make them pay.

On June 29, 1252, King Abel was killed. He was 33 years old. He died near Eiderstedt on Husum Bridge.

At that time, Abel's son Valdemar was being held for ransom. Because of this, Abel's youngest brother, Christopher I, became king. Christopher I was crowned King on Christmas Day 1252 in Lund Cathedral.

After Abel's death, his wife, Queen Matilda, joined a convent. However, she later left the convent. She married a Swedish leader named Birger Jarl in 1261.

Abel's Legacy

Memorial with Abel's death year in a forest (German: Tiergarten, Danisch: Dyrehave) outside Schleswig

Many people at the time thought Abel's sudden death was a punishment from God. They believed it was for the murder of his brother. When Abel's body was in Schleswig Cathedral, monks reported hearing strange sounds at night. They were too scared to go into the church. They believed Abel's ghost was walking around.

Because of this, the king's body was moved outside the church. It was buried in a wet grave near Gottorf Castle. Someone even put a wooden stake through Abel's chest. This was to make sure he stayed in his grave. For a long time after, people said the king's ghost could not rest. There were stories of "Abel's wild hunt." This was a tale of a dark-faced man on a white horse with glowing dogs, hunting across the lands of Schleswig.

Abel's family, known as the "Abel Family," ruled South Jutland until 1375. They often worked with their relatives in Holstein. Their rule caused ongoing challenges for the Danish government. It eventually led to parts of Frisia, Holstein, and Schleswig becoming separate from Denmark.

Abel's great-grandson, Valdemar III, briefly became king. However, he was later removed from power. Still, Abel's descendants returned to the throne. His great-granddaughter, Helvig of Schleswig, married Valdemar IV. Even though Helvig's direct line ended, Abel's descendant Christian I became king. Except for a few kings, all Danish monarchs after Christopher I have been Abel's descendants through his daughter Sophie.

Marriage and issue

Abel married Matilda of Holstein on April 25, 1237. They had the following children:

• Valdemar III (1238–1257); he was Duke of Schleswig from 1254 to 1257.
• Sophie (born 1240, died after 1284); she married Bernhard I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg.
• Eric I (around 1241 – 27 May 1272); he was Duke of Schleswig from 1260 to 1272.
• Abel (1252–1279).