Editing Odense (section)

== History ==
: ''For the Catholic ecclesiastical history, see [[Roman Catholic bishopric of Odense]]''

===Early history===

Odense is one of Denmark's oldest cities. Archaeological excavations in the vicinity show proof of settlement for over 4,000 years since at least the [[Stone Age]].{{sfn|Renouf|2003|p=58}}<ref name="dnet"/> The earliest community was centred on the higher ground between the [[Odense River]] to the south and [[Naesbyhoved Lake]] (now dry) to the north. [[Nonnebakken]], one of Denmark's former [[Viking ring fortress]]es, lay to the south of the river.<ref name=historienshus>{{cite web|url=http://www.historienshus.dk/odenses%20historie|title=Begyndelsen|publisher=Historiens Hus Odense|access-date=26 June 2014|language=da|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714145924/http://www.historienshus.dk/odenses%20historie|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Today, Odense's Møntergården Museum has many artefacts related to the early Viking history in the Odense area.{{sfn|Harding|2009|p=73}} The Vikings built numerous fortifications along the river banks to defend it against invaders coming in from the coast.{{sfn|Renouf|2003|p=58}}

[[File:Skt. Knud den Hellige.JPG|thumb|left|upright| [[Canute IV of Denmark]], generally considered to be the last Viking king, was murdered by unruly peasants in Odense in 1086]]

The city celebrated its thousandth anniversary in 1988, commemorating the first mention of the town's name in a letter dated 18 March 988 from the German emperor [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]] which granted rights to Odense and neighbouring settlements.<ref name=museum>{{cite web|url=http://museum.odense.dk/viden/historie/odenses-historie/odense-bys-historie|title=Odense Bys Historie|publisher=Odense Bys Museer|access-date=27 June 2014|language=da|archive-date=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000213/http://museum.odense.dk/viden/historie/odenses-historie/odense-bys-historie|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first church in Odense appears to have been [[St Mary's Church, Odense|St Mary's]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/16064d.htm|title=Ancient See of Odense in Denmark|publisher=Catholic Encyclopedia at New Advent|access-date=28 June 2014 }}</ref> probably built in the late 12th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Odense_1013-1220.pdf|title=Vor Frue Kirke|publisher=Danmarks Kirker, Nationalmuseet|access-date=28 June 2014|language=da|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165603/http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Odense_1013-1220.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The territory, previously part of the vast [[Archbishopric of Hamburg]], was created a [[Roman Catholic bishopric of Odense|Catholic diocese]] in 988. The first recorded bishops of Odense were Odinkar Hvide and [[Reginbert of Odense|Reginbert]], who was consecrated by Archbishop [[Æthelnoth (archbishop of Canterbury)|Æthelnoth]] of [[Archbishopric of Canterbury|Canterbury]], in 1022.{{sfn|Larson|2014|p=136}}

Recent excavations have shown that from the early 11th century, the town developed in the area around Albani Torv, Fisketorvet, Overgade and Vestergade.<ref name=historienshus/> By 1070, Odense had already grown into a city of stature in Denmark.<ref name="dnet"/> [[Canute IV of Denmark]], generally considered to be the last Viking king, was murdered by unruly peasants, discontent with the high taxes he imposed on the town, in Odense's [[St. Canute's Abbey, Odense|St Alban's Priory]] on 10 July 1086.<ref name="dnet"/> He was canonized in 1100.<ref name=dsd>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/Fyn/Fyn_-_byer/Odense/Odense_%28Historie%29|title=Odense – historie|encyclopedia=Den Store Danske|access-date=26 June 2014 |language=da}}</ref> The priory no longer exists, although a church has been situated on the site since about 900. At the beginning of the 12th century, Benedictine monks from England founded St Canute's Abbey. It was here the English monk [[Ælnoth of Canterbury|Ælnoth]] wrote Denmark's first literary work, ''Vita et Passio S. Canuti'' (The Life and Passion of St Canute).<ref name=dsd/> Canute's shrine in Odense Cathedral (which was attached to the priory) attracted pilgrims throughout the Middle Ages.<ref name="Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/425058/Odense|title=Odense|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=26 June 2014}}</ref>

===Middle Ages===
[[File:Braunius Odense.jpg|thumb|right|Braunius map of Odense from 1593]]
In the Middle Ages, a number of churches and monasteries were built in the town. [[St. Canute's Cathedral|St Canute's Church]] (''Skt. Knuds Kirke''), now the cathedral, dates from the end of the 13th century and was closely connected to the [[Benedictine Order]]. The town's other old churches are St Mary's (''Vor Frue Kirke'') and St John's (''Skt. Hans Kirke'') with its adjacent monastery. Greyfriars Monastery (''Gråbrødre Kloster'') was founded by the [[Franciscan Order|Franciscans]] in 1279.<ref name=museum/>

In 1247 Odense was burned by [[Abel, King of Denmark|Abel of Denmark]] during conflicts with his brother [[Eric IV of Denmark|King Erik IV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dengang.dk/abel-og-hans-soenner/|title=Abel og hans sønner|publisher=Dengang.dk|access-date=28 June 2014 |language=da}}</ref> The cathedral had to be completely rebuilt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://museum.odense.dk/boern-unge/boern-unge/undervisning/moentergaarden/tro-mord-kaerlighed/faktaportal/13-skt-knuds-kirke|title=Snt Knuds Kirke|publisher=Odense Bys Museer|access-date=28 June 2014|language=da|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721074457/http://museum.odense.dk/boern-unge/boern-unge/undervisning/moentergaarden/tro-mord-kaerlighed/faktaportal/13-skt-knuds-kirke|archive-date=21 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nevertheless, the town continued to flourish as a commercial centre, and was charted in 1335.<ref name="Britannica"/> The city thrived economically during the Middle Ages, attracting many merchants and craftsman who traded their goods.{{sfn|Renouf|2003|p=58}}

In 1482 Bishop Karl Rønnov brought the German printer [[Johann Snell]] to Odense to print a short prayer book, ''Breviarium Ottoniense'', considered to be the first work to be printed in Scandinavia. In parallel Snell printed ''De obsidione et bello Rhodiano'', an account of the Turkish siege of the island of [[Rhodes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kulturarv.dk/1001fortaellinger/en_GB/johan-snell-s-printing-works|title=John Snell's Printing Works|publisher=Kulturarv|access-date=27 June 2014|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831181140/http://www.kulturarv.dk/1001fortaellinger/en_GB/johan-snell-s-printing-works|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Kunst_og_kultur/Bog-_og_biblioteksv%C3%A6sen/Boghistorie_og_bogtryk/Johann_Snell|title=Johann Snell|encyclopedia=Den Store Danske|access-date=27 June 2014 }}</ref>

After the [[Danish Reformation]], involving the suppression of the Catholic bishopric in 1536, the city enjoyed a sustained period of prosperity from the 1530s to the mid-17th century, becoming northern Funen's commercial centre. One of the main sources of income was the sale of cattle, providing substantial funds for the construction of fine [[half-timbered]] houses for the local merchants. The local nobility also participated in the city's development by building residences where they spent the winter months. But the city's prosperity came to an abrupt end in the late 1650s heavy taxes were imposed after the end of the [[Dano-Swedish War (1657–58)|Swedish Wars]]. A period of stagnation ensued until the end of the 18th century.<ref name=dsd/>

From the 16th century the town was the meeting-place of several parliaments, and until 1805 Odense was the seat of the provincial assembly of Funen.<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Odense|volume=20|page=2}}</ref> By 1700 Odense's population was about 4,000.{{sfn|Renouf|2003|p=58}}

===Development===
[[File:Denmark-odense-hans christian andersen-childhood home.jpg|thumb|Hans Christian Andersen's childhood home]]
Dramatic changes began in Odense in the 18th century to modernise the city and a great plan was drawn up for development. In 1720, Frederick IV ordered the rebuilding of Odense Palace, partly on the foundations of the 13th century [[St. Hans's Monastery]], and the construction of St Hans's Church by the [[Knights Hospitallers]].<ref name="Britannica"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmarcussen.dk/historie/Religion/orden/johanitter.html|title=Johanniterordenen|date=18 November 2003|publisher=Maritim og historisk information|access-date=28 June 2014 |language=da}}</ref> An 8 kilometre (5.0&nbsp;mi) long, 7.5 metre (25&nbsp;ft) deep canal from [[Odense Harbour]] to [[Odense Fjord]] was built between 1796 and 1806 to facilitate the growth of Odense as a port city, radically increasing its level of trade and population.<ref name="dnet"/>{{sfn|Thestrup|Andersen|Oxenvad|1986|pp=193–200}} Founded in 1796, [[Odense Teater]] is the first provincial theatre in Denmark and the country's second oldest.<ref name=hoo/><ref name=dsdodense>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Kunst_og_kultur/Teater/Danske_teatre/Odense_Teater|title=Odense Teater|encyclopedia=Den Store Danske|date=17 April 2012 |access-date=29 June 2014 |language=da}}</ref> [[Odense Central Library]] was established in 1924 and removed to [[Odense station]] in 1995.<ref name="Dewe2012">{{cite book|last=Dewe|first=Mr Michael|title=Planning Public Library Buildings: Concepts and Issues for the Librarian|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sARvKM5rynkC&pg=PA150|date=1 October 2012|publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.|isbn=978-1-4094-8501-8|pages=150–}}</ref> The [[Odense Music Library]] contains Denmark's largest collection of phonograms.<ref name=soundart>{{cite web|title=Vision for Odense Music Library|url=http://www.soundart.dk/vgsite.data/Components/vangogh6visionUK.pdf|publisher=Sound Art|access-date=13 July 2014|date=April 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613003214/http://www.soundart.dk/vgsite.data/Components/vangogh6visionUK.pdf|archive-date=13 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

From the 1840s, the city enjoyed a period of rapid expansion beyond its traditional boundaries, becoming Denmark's second largest city. The city gates were demolished in 1851 and soon afterwards development extended to the area south of the river. Glove production, which had begun in the 18th century, developed into one of the most important industries while the harbour facilities were further expanded.<ref name=byport/> In 1853 Denmark's first modern water and gas works were opened in Odense.<ref name=dsd/> Commerce was further boosted by the building of a railway across Funen in 1865, and Odense became one of Denmark's largest rail junctions.<ref name="dnet"/>{{sfn|Renouf|2003|p=58}} All this provided an ideal basis for industrialisation, attracting a wide range of industries including iron and metals, textiles, and food and beverages. Separate areas of the city were devoted to increased industrial and residential expansion,<ref name=hoo>{{cite web|url=http://www.odense.dk/subsites5/english/topmenu/about/a%20history%20of%20odense|title=A History of Odense|publisher=Odense Kommune|access-date=29 June 2014|archive-date=20 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720215336/http://www.odense.dk/subsites5/english/topmenu/about/a%20history%20of%20odense|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the population of the city began to grow markedly; by 1900 it had 35,000 inhabitants.{{sfn|Renouf|2003|p=58}}

===Modern history===
Odense's most famous landmark was [[Odinstårnet]] (''The Odin Tower'') constructed in 1935, as the second-tallest tower in Europe, only surpassed by the [[Eiffel Tower]] with its 177 meters.  ''Odinstårnet'' was blown up by a Danish Nazi group in 1944 and has never been rebuilt.{{sfn|Lauridsen|2007|p=151}} However, a miniature model now stands in [[Odinsparken]] in the area where the original was located. During the German occupation in the [[Second World War]], Odense's general strike in August 1943 contributed to terminating collaboration with the Germans.<ref name=hoo/>

Until the beginning of the Danish industrial revolution, Odense was also the second-largest city in modern Denmark, but has in recent times been overtaken by Aarhus. From the 1960s Odense increasingly became a cultural hub, with the establishment of a university in 1966 and the launching of trade shows, including the large Odense Congress Centre.<ref name="dnet"/> In 1988 a major national television network, [[TV 2 (Denmark)|TV2]], was established in Odense.<ref name=hoo/>

In celebration of the thousandth anniversary in 1988, a forest, [[Tusindårsskoven]] (meaning "The Thousand Year Forest") was planted.<ref name="dnet"/> In 2005 the city celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of [[Hans Christian Andersen]].<ref name="dnet"/>

The [[Odense Steel Shipyard]] (''Staalskibsvæeft''), which since 1996 had been Denmark's largest shipbuilding facility, closed in 2012 as a result of international competition. Opened in 1919 by [[Mærsk|A.P. Møller]], it latterly produced container ships for Mærsk, the parent company. The Lindø site was sold to the Port of Odense (''Odense Havn'') who are developing the Lindø Industrial Park.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Bil,_b%C3%A5d,_fly_m.m./S%C3%B8fart/Rederier/Odense_Staalskibsv%C3%A6rft|title=Odense Staalskibsværft|encyclopedia=Den Store Danske|access-date=30 June 2014 |language=da}}</ref>