Editing Absalon (section)

==Archbishop of Lund==
Archbishop Eskil returned from exile in 1167. Eskil agreed on [[canonization|canonizing]] Valdemar's father [[Knud Lavard]] in 1170, with Absalon assisting him at the feast. When Eskil stepped down as Archbishop of Lund in 1177, he chose Absalon as his successor.<ref name="pajung"/> Absalon initially resisted the new position, as he did not want to lose his power position on Zealand, but complied with Papal orders to do so in 1178.<ref name="bricka"/> By a unique Papal dispensation, Absalon was allowed to simultaneously maintain his post as Bishop of Roskilde.<ref name="gyldendal"/> As the Archbishop of Lund, Absalon utilized [[ombudsman|ombudsmen]] from Zealand, demanded [[unfree labour]] from the [[peasantry]], and instituted tithes.<ref name="pajung"/> He was a harsh and effective ruler, who cleared all [[Eastern Orthodox|Orthodox Christian]] [[Liturgy|liturgical]] remnants in favour of Papal standards.<ref name="gyldendal"/> A rebellion in the [[Scania]]n peasantry forced him to flee to Zealand in 1180, but he returned and subdued the Scanians with the help of Valdemar.<ref name="pajung"/>

Valdemar died in 1182 and was succeeded by his son, [[Canute VI of Denmark|Canute VI]], whom Absalon also served as counsellor.<ref name="pajung"/> Under Canute VI, Absalon was the chief policymaker in Danish politics.<ref name="gad"/> Absalon kept his hostile attitude to the Holy Roman Empire. On the accession of Canute VI in 1182, an imperial ambassador arrived at Roskilde to get the new king to swear fealty to Frederick Barbarossa, but Absalon resolutely withstood him.<ref name="Britannica"/>