Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1219
The Dannebrog (Danish flag; today the oldest national flag in the world) is raised for the first
time, its creation supposedly divinely provided and firing the Danes to victory in Estonia under
Valdemar II.
1363
Norway's King Haakon marries Margrethe, daughter of the Danish King Valdemar IV, who is to be-
come an influential and powerful queen.
1375-87
Five-year-old Oluf becomes king of Denmark following the death of Valdemar IV, and five years
later also becomes king of Norway. His mother assumes de facto control on his death.
1396-1439
Reign of King Erik of Pomerania, Margrethe's grandson. He stages an unsuccessful attack on the
Hanseatic League, which exhausts the resources of the Kalmar Union. The Danish nobility depose
Erik in 1439.
1534
Following King Frederick I's death, Hanseatic mercenaries from Lübeck (now in Germany) invade
southern Jutland and Zealand. Danish peasants and members of the middle class welcome the
invaders.
1588-1648
The early prosperous and peaceful years of Christian IV's long reign end in 1625 when Christian
attempts to neutralise Swedish expansion by beginning the Thirty Years' War. Denmark suffers
crippling losses.
1658
Denmark signs the Treaty of Roskilde, the most lamented humiliation in its history, losing a third
of its territory, including the island of Bornholm and all territories on the Swedish mainland.
