Valdemar the Young

Valdemar the Young (1209 – 28 November 1231) was a Danish prince and junior King of Denmark from 1215 until his death. The second son of King Valdemar II and Dagmar of Bohemia, his reign was marked by the initial efforts to recover the territories lost to the German Empire and the Holy Roman Empire during the Danish-Estonian War.

Early Life

Valdemar was born in 1209, the second son of Valdemar II and his first wife, Dagmar of Bohemia. His early years were spent under the shadow of his elder brother, Erik Plovpenning, who was the heir apparent to the throne of Denmark. Following the death of his mother in 1212, his father remarried to Berengaria of Portugal, who bore Valdemar several half-siblings.

Reign

Valdemar the Young was proclaimed co-king with his father in 1215, a common practice in medieval Scandinavia intended to ensure a smooth succession. Despite his young age, he was given territories to rule and was involved in the governance of the kingdom. His reign, however, was largely overshadowed by his father's efforts to expand and consolidate Danish rule over the Baltic region.

The period saw the continuation of the conflict with the German and Holy Roman empires, a struggle that had begun under Valdemar II's reign. The young king's role in these conflicts was limited, but he was involved in several campaigns, including efforts to reclaim territories lost during previous conflicts.

Death and Legacy

Valdemar the Young's life was cut short when he died in 1231, at the age of 22, under mysterious circumstances. His death led to a period of instability in Denmark, as his brother Erik IV took the throne amidst a backdrop of internal strife and external threats.

Valdemar the Young is remembered in Danish history for his potential more than his achievements. His untimely death prevented him from leaving a significant mark on the kingdom, but his brief reign is seen as a period of transition towards the more stable rule of his brother and the eventual recovery of Danish power in the Baltic region.

See Also

• History of Denmark
• Valdemar II of Denmark
• Erik IV of Denmark
• Danish-Estonian War