Editing Absalon (section)

==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 Wends.<ref name="pajung"/> It was Absalon's intention to clear the [[Baltic Sea]] of the Wendish pirates who inhabited its southern [[littoral zone]], which was later called [[Pomerania]]. The pirates had raided the Danish coasts during the civil war of Sweyn III, Canute V, and Valdemar, to the point where at the accession of Valdemar one-third of Denmark lay wasted and depopulated.<ref name="Britannica"/> 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===
[[File:Bishop Absalon topples the god Svantevit at Arkona.PNG|thumb|left|Bishop Absalon topples the god Svantevit at Arkona, as imagined by [[Laurits Tuxen]]]]
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 Wendish fortress at [[Cape Arkona|Arkona]] in [[Rügen]], containing the sanctuary of their god [[Svetovid|Svantevit]], [[Siege of Arkona|was conquered]]. The Wends 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]]]]
The destruction of this chief sally-port of the Wendish pirates 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===
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 Abaslon'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>