Editing Saxo Grammaticus (section)

== Life ==
The ''[[Chronica Jutensis|Jutland Chronicle]]'' gives evidence that Saxo was born in [[Zealand (Denmark)|Zealand]]. It is unlikely he was born before 1150 and it is supposed that his death could have occurred around 1220. His name Saxo was a common name in medieval Denmark. The name ''Grammaticus'' ("the learned") was first given to him in the ''Jutland Chronicle'' and the ''Sjælland Chronicle'' makes reference to Saxo ''cognomine Longus'' ("with the [[byname]] 'the tall{{'"}}).

He lived in a period of warfare and Danish expansion, led by Archbishop Absalon and the Valdemars. The [[Danes]] were also being threatened by the [[Wends]] who were making raids across the border and by sea.{{sfn|Westergaard|1952|p= 167}} [[Valdemar I of Denmark|Valdemar I]] had also just won a civil war and later [[Valdemar II of Denmark|Valdemar II]] led an expedition across the [[Elbe]] to invade [[Holstein]].{{sfn|Davidson|1980|p= 20}}

[[Sven Aggesen]], a Danish nobleman and author of a slightly earlier history of Denmark than Saxo's, describes his contemporary, Saxo, as his ''contubernalis'', meaning ''tent-comrade''. This gives evidence that Saxo and Sven might have soldiered in the ''[[Hird]]'' or royal guard, since Sven used the word ''contubernium'' in reference to them. There is also a Saxo to be found on a list of [[clergy]] at [[Lund]], where there was a Sven recorded as Archdeacon. Likewise there is Dean Saxo who died in 1190; however, the date does not match what is known about Saxo.

Both arguments, for a secular or religious Saxo, would confirm that he was well educated; as clergy, he would have received training in [[Latin]] and sons of great men were often sent to [[Paris]].{{sfn|Davidson|1980|pp= 9–11}} Saxo comes from a warrior family and writes that he is himself committed to being a soldier. He tells us that he follows "the ancient right of hereditary service", and that his father and grandfather "were recognized frequenters of your renowned sire's (Valdemar I) war camp".{{sfn|Davidson|1979|p= 6}}

Saxo's education and ability support the idea that he was educated outside Denmark. Some suggest the title "Grammaticus" refers not to his education but rather his elaborate Latin style.{{sfn|Davidson|1980|p= 1}} We know from his writing that he was in the retinue and received the patronage of Absalon, Archbishop of Lund, who was the foremost adviser to King Valdemar I. In his will Absalon forgives his clerk Saxo a small debt of two and a half marks of silver and tells him to return two borrowed books to the monastery of [[Sorø]].{{sfn|Davidson|1980|p=10}} The legacy of Saxo Grammaticus is the sixteen-book heroic history of the [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danes]] called {{Lang|la|[[Gesta Danorum]]}}.