The siege of Kolding (Danish: Belejringen af Kolding) also known as the siege of Koldinghus, was a siege by Jutish rebels on the Holsteinian-held Castle of Koldinghus in 1341. The siege ended unsuccessful, and Count Henry II of Holstein-Rendsburg retaliated by raiding much of Jutland.
| Siege of Kolding | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Niels Ebbesen's Rebellion | |||||||||
 Present-day Koldinghus seen from the north, 2006. | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Jutish rebels |
 Holstein | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Unknown |
Henry II | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
|
Jutish peasants and knights |
Koldinghus garrison | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| Unknown, but large | Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||||
Background
editIn 1340, a group of 50 Jutes, led by Niels Ebbesen, a minor nobleman, launched a surprise attack on Count Gerhard III, who was regent of Denmark at that time, in Randers, resulting in his assassination.[1] This event sent shockwaves throughout the country and in the aftermath, Ebbesen and his followers fled south across the Gudenå River, continuing their rebellion further south.[1]
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Ebbesen and his men now launched an assault on a Holsteinian fortification near present-day Skjern River, killing many Germans.[2] Next, they set their sights on the strategically important Skanderborg Castle and besieged the place.[3] However, the besieged Germans got reinforcements and confronted the Danes in open battle.[4] The battle resulted in the death of Niels Ebbesen, however, the revolt did not seem to have ended as a result of the battle.[4]
Siege
editThe year after the battle, the Jutish rebels had gone, with great power, towards Koldinghus, which they would try to conquer.[5] However, Count Henry of Holstein-Rendsburg (nickname Iron Henry), who had inherited his father's uncontrollable fighting spirit and warrior skill, came to the fortification's rescue, just like he did with Skanderborg.[5] In the following confrontation, the Jutish rebels retreated from Koldinghus, and the Count would retaliate against the Jutes by raiding much of their controlled area.[6] As a result, Henry gathered a big booty and left again to his base at Funen.[5]
Aftermath
editThe explanation for Henry's far-reaching raids lies in his area of control: Henry and the Germans had control over Funen, which meant they could both raid west in Jutland and east on Zealand.[6]
See also
edit- Siege of Kolding (1368–1369) – Siege in Denmark, 1369
- Niels Ebbesen – Danish folk hero
- Siege of Skanderborg – 1340 siege in Denmark
- Gerhard III, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg – Count of Holstein-Rendsburg
- Battle of Nonnebjerg – 1340 battle in Denmark
References
edit- ^ a b Dzeko 2011.
- ^ Flaskager 2023.
- ^ "Skanderborg Slot – Kongegrave" (in Danish). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
- ^ a b Reinhardt 1880, p. 99.
- ^ a b c Reinhardt 1880, p. 100.
- ^ a b Skyum-Nielsen 2022.
Works cited
edit- Dzeko, Nedim (2011). "Niels Ebbesen, ca. 1300-1340". Danmarkshistorien.
- Reinhardt, Christian (1880). Valdemar Atterdag og hans Kongegjerning (in Danish). Gad.
- Olsen, Rikke Agnete (2014-10-20). Danish Medieval Castles. Aarhus Universitetsforlag. ISBN 978-87-7184-007-0.
- Flaskager, Elmo (2023). "Lundenæs Slot". Skjern Udviklingsforum (in Danish). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
- Skyum-Nielsen, Niels (2022-02-04). Fruer og vildmænd. Dansk middelalderhistorie. Bind 2 (in Danish). Lindhardt og Ringhof. ISBN 978-87-28-05016-3.