Editing Absalon (section)

===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"/>