Editing Assens, Denmark (section)

==History==
Assens is located on the site of an old [[ferry landing]] linking Funen and the south of [[Jutland]]. A bay provided a natural harbour while the Little Belt encouraged trade and transport. It probably became a [[market town]] in the 13th century. The ferry, which probably originated in the [[Middle Ages]], became particularly significant in the 16th century with sizeable cattle exports. The town was hard hit by the [[Dano-Swedish War (1657–58)|Swedish Wars]] in the 17th century, causing a reduction in trade. It nevertheless continued to be the main ferry link between Jutland and Funen.<ref name=dcfb>{{cite web|url=http://dendigitalebyport.byhistorie.dk/koebstaeder/by.aspx?koebstadID=2|title=Assens|publisher=Dansk Center for Byhistorie|access-date=11 July 2014 |language=da}}</ref>

Prosperity returned at the end of the 18th century, increasing in the 19th century after a new harbour was completed in 1822. However the railway to [[Middelfart]] in 1865 provided considerable competition but the town suffered above all from the discontinuation of the ferry service after [[Southern Jutland]] was lost to the Germans in 1864.<ref name=dcfb/>

At the end of the 19th century, there were few industries in Assens, the main source of income still being trade and crafts. In 1884, however, the railway to [[Tommerup]] linked Assens to [[Odense]] and in 1885, the harbour was extended with a new dock. A sugar factory was established, providing over 300 jobs by the end of the century. There was also a marked increase in population.<ref name=dcfb/>

With reunification after the [[First World War]], the ferry to Southern Jutland was reopened and ran until 1972. The sugar factory remained the main source of employment but a number of smaller metal foundries and food companies were established. Like most of Funen's other towns, Assens remained in the shadow of Odense, recording only modest growth. Its population grew only slightly, from around 4,600 in 1901 to 5,800 in 2004.