Editing Absalon (section)

===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>