Absalon: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Danish bishop and statesman (c. | {{Short description|Danish bishop and statesman (c. 1128 – 1201)}} | ||
{{Other uses}} | {{Other uses}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}} | ||
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| buried = [[Sorø Abbey]] | | buried = [[Sorø Abbey]] | ||
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'''Absalon''' ({{circa|1128}}{{snd}}21 March 1201) was a Danish statesman and prelate of the [[Catholic Church]] who served as the [[bishop of Roskilde]] from 1158 to 1192 and [[archbishop of Lund]] from 1178 until his death. He was the foremost politician and [[church father]] of [[Denmark]] in the second half of the 12th century, and was the closest advisor of King [[Valdemar I of Denmark]]. He 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. He combined the ideals of [[Gregorian Reform]] with loyal support of a strong monarchical power. | '''Absalon''' ({{circa|1128}}{{snd}}21 March 1201) was a Danish statesman and [[prelate]] of the [[Catholic Church]] who served as the [[bishop of Roskilde]] from 1158 to 1192 and [[archbishop of Lund]] from 1178 until his death. He was the foremost politician and [[church father]] of [[Denmark]] in the second half of the 12th century, and was the closest advisor of King [[Valdemar I of Denmark]]. He 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. He combined the ideals of [[Gregorian Reform]] with loyal support of a strong monarchical power. | ||
Absalon was born into the powerful ''[[Hvide]]'' clan, and owned great land possessions. He endowed several church institutions, most prominently his family's [[Sorø Abbey]]. He was granted lands by the crown, and built the first fortification of the city that evolved into modern-day [[Copenhagen]]. His titles were passed on to his nephews [[Anders Sunesen]] and [[Peder Sunesen]]. He died in 1201, and was interred at Sorø Abbey. | Absalon was born into the powerful ''[[Hvide]]'' clan, and owned great land possessions. He endowed several church institutions, most prominently his family's [[Sorø Abbey]]. He was granted lands by the crown, and built the first fortification of the city that evolved into modern-day [[Copenhagen]]. His titles were passed on to his nephews [[Anders Sunesen]] and [[Peder Sunesen]]. He died in 1201, and was interred at Sorø Abbey. | ||
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==Bishop and advisor== | ==Bishop and advisor== | ||
Absalon was a close counsellor of Valdemar, and chief promoter of the Danish [[crusade]]s against the [[Wends]].<ref name="gyldendal"/> During the Danish civil war, Denmark had been open to coastal raids by the | Absalon was a close counsellor of Valdemar, and chief promoter of the Danish [[crusade]]s against the [[Wends]].<ref name="gyldendal"/> Earlier Danish monarchs had failed to subjugate or raid the Pomeranian coasts or make themselves a preeminent power even in the region of Rana ([[Rügen]]), being successfully repelled and raided in turn. During the Danish civil war, Denmark had been open to coastal raids by the ‘Wends’ (which included pagan Rana and the Christian Duchy of Pomerania).<ref name="pajung"/> | ||
At the time, it is worth noting that heading great raids was the Christian [[Duchy of Pomerania]] (a tributary of the [[Duchy of Poland]]) as well as the) who had not long earlier together seized the capital of [[Roskilde]] together with them and the Pomeranian Duke’s men pillaged the important port of [[Kungahälla]] (concurrently with the [[Wendish Crusade]], besides the pillaging goal also preventing Danish participation on the side of the crusaders, which targeted besides pagan West Slavs also Christian Pomerania and notably besieged the Christian coastal town of [[Szczecin]]). | |||
The “Wends” had raided the Danish coasts during the civil war of Sweyn III, Canute V, and Valdemar, and at the accession of Valdemar one-third of Denmark lay wasted and depopulated.<ref name="Britannica"/> Absalon’s goal therefore was to increase and centralise Danish power in the region, against the coast, deterring raids and seizing from rival influence at least the area of the island of Rana, which was an important West Slavic pagan spot (from which at least some of the raiding forces originated, and which was under the influence of Christian coastal rivals). | |||
Absalon formed a guardian fleet, built coastal defenses, and led several campaigns against the Wends.<ref name="pajung"/> He even advocated forgiving the earlier enemies of Valdemar, which helped stabilize Denmark internally.<ref name="bricka"/> | |||
===Wendish campaigns=== | ===Wendish campaigns=== | ||
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The first expedition against the [[Wends]] conducted by Absalon in person, set out in 1160.<ref name="Britannica"/> These expeditions were successful, but brought no lasting victories.<ref name="bricka"/> What started out as mere retribution, eventually evolved into full-fledged campaigns of expansion with religious motives.<ref name="pajung"/> In 1164 began twenty years of crusades against the Wends, sometimes with the help of German duke [[Henry the Lion]], sometimes in opposition to him.<ref name="bricka"/> | The first expedition against the [[Wends]] conducted by Absalon in person, set out in 1160.<ref name="Britannica"/> These expeditions were successful, but brought no lasting victories.<ref name="bricka"/> What started out as mere retribution, eventually evolved into full-fledged campaigns of expansion with religious motives.<ref name="pajung"/> In 1164 began twenty years of crusades against the Wends, sometimes with the help of German duke [[Henry the Lion]], sometimes in opposition to him.<ref name="bricka"/> | ||
In 1168 the chief | In 1168 the chief Rana fortress at [[Cape Arkona|Arkona]] in [[Rügen]] (or Rana in the local language), containing the sanctuary of their god [[Svetovid|Svantevit]], [[Siege of Arkona|was conquered]]. The people of Rana agreed to accept Danish suzerainty and the [[Christian religion]] at the same time. From Arkona, Absalon proceeded by sea to [[Charenza]], in the midst of Rügen, the political capital of the Wends and an all but impregnable stronghold. But the unexpected fall of Arkona had terrified the garrison, which surrendered unconditionally at the first appearance of the Danish ships. Absalon, with only [[Sweyn of Aarhus|Bishop Sweyn of Aarhus]] and twelve "[[housecarl]]s", thereupon disembarked, passed between a double row of Wendish warriors, 6000 strong, along the narrow path winding among the morasses, to the gates of the fortress, and, proceeding to the temple of the seven-headed god [[Rugiewit|Rugievit]], caused the idol to be hewn down, dragged forth and burnt. The whole population of [[Garz/Rügen|Garz]] was then baptized, and Absalon laid the foundations of twelve churches in the isle of Rügen.<ref name="Britannica"/> Rügen was then subjected to Absalon's Bishopric of Roskilde.<ref name="pajung"/> | ||
[[File:Battle at Julin bridge GIF.gif|thumb|One of Absalon's biggest victories, at [[Battle of Julin Bridge|Julin]]]] | [[File:Battle at Julin bridge GIF.gif|thumb|One of Absalon's biggest victories, at [[Battle of Julin Bridge|Julin]]]] | ||
The destruction of this chief sally-port of the Wendish | The destruction of this chief sally-port of the Wendish raiders enabled Absalon to considerably reduce the Danish fleet. But he continued to keep a watchful eye over the Baltic, and in 1170 destroyed another pirate stronghold, farther eastward, at [[Dziwnów]] on the isle of [[Wolin]]. Absalon's last military exploit came in 1184, off [[Stralsund]] at [[Whitsun]], when he soundly defeated a Pomeranian fleet that had attacked Denmark's vassal, [[Jaromar I, Prince of Rügen|Jaromar of Rügen]].<ref name="Britannica"/> | ||
===Policies=== | ===Policies=== | ||
Absalon's main political goal was to free Denmark from entanglements with the [[Holy Roman Empire]].<ref name="Britannica"/> Absalon reformed the Danish church organisation to closer match [[Holy See]] [[praxis (process)|praxis]], and worked to keep Denmark a close ally of the Holy See.<ref name="gyldendal"/> However, during the [[Schism (religion)|schism]] between [[Pope Alexander III]] and [[Antipope Victor IV (1159–1164)|Antipope Victor IV]], Absalon stayed loyal to Valdemar even as he joined the Holy Roman Emperor [[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick Barbarossa]] in supporting Victor IV.<ref name="pajung"/> This caused a split within the Danish church, as it possibly forced [[Eskil of Lund]] into exile around 1161,<ref name="gyldendal"/> despite | Absalon's main political goal was to free Denmark from entanglements with the [[Holy Roman Empire]].<ref name="Britannica"/> Absalon reformed the Danish church organisation to closer match [[Holy See]] [[praxis (process)|praxis]], and worked to keep Denmark a close ally of the Holy See.<ref name="gyldendal"/> However, during the [[Schism (religion)|schism]] between [[Pope Alexander III]] and [[Antipope Victor IV (1159–1164)|Antipope Victor IV]], Absalon stayed loyal to Valdemar even as he joined the Holy Roman Emperor [[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick Barbarossa]] in supporting Victor IV.<ref name="pajung"/> This caused a split within the Danish church, as it possibly forced [[Eskil of Lund]] into exile around 1161,<ref name="gyldendal"/> despite Absalon's attempts to keep the Danish church united.<ref name="bricka"/> It was contrary to Absalon's advice and warnings that Valdemar I rendered [[fealty]] to the emperor Frederick Barbarossa at [[Dole, Jura|Dole]] in 1162.<ref name="Britannica"/> When Valdemar returned to Denmark, he was convinced to strengthen the [[Danevirke]] fortifications at the German border, with the support of Absalon.<ref name="bricka"/> | ||
Absalon built churches and monasteries, supporting international religious orders like the [[Cistercians]] and [[Augustinians]], founding schools and doing his utmost to promote civilization and enlightenment.<ref name="Britannica"/> In 1162, Absalon transformed the [[Sorø Abbey]] of his family from [[Benedictine]] to Cistercian, granting it lands from his personal holdings. In 1167, Absalon was granted the land around the city of Havn (English: "Harbour"), and built there a castle for coastal defense against the Wends.<ref name="gyldendal"/> Havn quickly expanded into one of [[Scandinavia]]'s most important centers of trade, and eventually evolved into modern-day [[Copenhagen]].<ref name="bricka"/> It was also Absalon who held the first Danish [[Synod]] at [[Lund]] in 1167.<ref name="Britannica"/> He was interested in history and culture, and commissioned [[Saxo Grammaticus]] to write ''[[Gesta Danorum]]'', a comprehensive chronicle of the history of the Danes.<ref name="pajung"/> In 1171, Absalon issued the "Zealand church law" ({{langx|da|Sjællandske Kirkelov}}), which reduced the number of [[Canonical Law]] offenses for which the church could fine the public, while instituting the [[tithe]] payment system. Violation of the law was specified as subject to a secular legal process.<ref>[http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Samfund%2c_jura_og_politik/Jura/Retshistorie/kirkelove Kirkelove] at Gyldendals Åbne Encyklopædi</ref> | Absalon built churches and monasteries, supporting international religious orders like the [[Cistercians]] and [[Augustinians]], founding schools and doing his utmost to promote civilization and enlightenment.<ref name="Britannica"/> In 1162, Absalon transformed the [[Sorø Abbey]] of his family from [[Benedictine]] to Cistercian, granting it lands from his personal holdings. In 1167, Absalon was granted the land around the city of Havn (English: "Harbour"), and built there a castle for coastal defense against the Wends.<ref name="gyldendal"/> Havn quickly expanded into one of [[Scandinavia]]'s most important centers of trade, and eventually evolved into modern-day [[Copenhagen]].<ref name="bricka"/> It was also Absalon who held the first Danish [[Synod]] at [[Lund]] in 1167.<ref name="Britannica"/> He was interested in history and culture, and commissioned [[Saxo Grammaticus]] to write ''[[Gesta Danorum]]'', a comprehensive chronicle of the history of the Danes.<ref name="pajung"/> In 1171, Absalon issued the "Zealand church law" ({{langx|da|Sjællandske Kirkelov}}), which reduced the number of [[Canonical Law]] offenses for which the church could fine the public, while instituting the [[tithe]] payment system. Violation of the law was specified as subject to a secular legal process.<ref>[http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Samfund%2c_jura_og_politik/Jura/Retshistorie/kirkelove Kirkelove] at Gyldendals Åbne Encyklopædi</ref> | ||