German–Danish war of 974

German–Danish war of 974-983
Part of Harald Bluetooths Rebellion
Harald being baptized by Poppo the monk, in a relief dated to c. 1200
Date 974 Location Saxony, Southern Denmark Result German Victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Denmark Norwegian vassal	Holy Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Harald Bluetooth Haakon Sigurdsson	Otto II
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The German-Danish War of 974, also known as the Rebellion of Harald Bluetooth, was a conflict between Denmark, under the newly established House of Knýtlinga, and the Holy Roman Empire, under the Ottonian Dynasty.

The Ottonians, specifically under Otto the Great, sought to crush the rebellion of the Danish king, Harald Bluetooth, to secure Otto's position and ensure stability in preventing Viking raids.

War

when Otto died in 973, king Harald leaped at the opportunity to free his people from the imperial shackles. He along with the Norwegians formally rebelled against the new emperor, Otto II. Before long, a Viking army once more invaded and ransacked Saxony – the heartland of the “Ottonian” imperial dynasty.

The Holy Roman Empire responded as fast as it could. Emperor Otto 2 led an army to Denmark, he met heavy resistance and Emperor Otto 2 was defeated at the gate of Wiglesdor at Dannevirke,^[1] to both monarchs’ surprise.

the Norwegian returned home after the battle, leaving the Danes to fend for themselves. Otto II sensed an opportunity for revenge and attacked Harald’s army the next year. This time, the imperial military was successful.

After beating the Danes in battle, the enemy broke through the Danevirke, For the first time in history, soldiers of the Empire were on the northern side of the wall. To Harald’s great detriment, Otto II also conquered parts of Jutland in the wake of this catastrophe.^[2]

Aftermath

Defeated, Harald once again submitted to the Ottonians.^[3]

Earl Haakon had helped against the Germans with a Norwegian army, but shortly after the Danish defeat, and Harald forcing him to convert to christianity, he rebelled against Harald Bluetooth in 975, and made Norway an independent kingdom.^[4]

References

https://politikenhistorie.dk/art8319975/Den-Tysk-Romerske-kejser-var-danske-vikingekongers-overhoved https://vikinghistorytales.blogspot.com/2013/12/974-emperor-otto-2-led-army-to-denmark.html https://medievalreporter.com/the-danevirke/

This page was last edited on 14 May 2024, at 06:59