Valdemar II of Denmark

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Valdemar II Valdemarsen (28 June 1170 – 28 March 1241), known as Valdemar Sejr or Valdemar the Victorious, was King of Denmark from 1202 to 1241. He was the second son of Valdemar I and Sophia of Minsk and grew up to rule Denmark with strong authority.

Key achievements
- 1203–1204: He conquered Lübeck and Holstein, expanding Danish territory.
- 1207–1208: Involved in the Norwegian succession, leading to the Bagler War; Denmark gained influence over Norway for a time.
- 1219: Led a crusade to Estonia. Danish forces defeated the Estonians at Lindanise near Tallinn, and Estonia came under Danish rule. The legend of the Dannebrog, Denmark’s flag, is tied to this campaign.
- He fought disputes with the papacy and with German rulers over northern lands. After the Battle of Bornhöved in 1227, Denmark lost most of its north German possessions and focused more on internal affairs.

Domestic reforms
- Valdemar introduced feudal rule in Denmark and ordered the creation of a common legal code, the Jyske Lov (Code of Jutland). Approved at Vordingborg in 1241, the Code governed Jutland, Zealand, and Skåne and remained Denmark’s law until 1683. The code increased noble power and reduced peasant rights, while strengthening the king’s authority.

Family
- He married Dagmar of Bohemia (Dagmar died in 1212) and later Berengaria of Portugal (died 1221). With Dagmar he had Valdemar the Young, who was made co-king in 1218 and died in 1231.

Death and legacy
- Valdemar died at Vordingborg Castle and was buried at Ringsted. He is remembered as a great king who expanded Denmark and later laid the foundations of a lasting legal system. Since 1912, June 15 has been Valdemarsdag, a Danish flag day celebrating his legacy and the Dannebrog.