Description
Book SynopsisThis book presents the fascinating story of Queen Margrete I and her rise to power in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Her political ambitions culminated in the founding of the Nordic Union in 1397, which had vital impact on the history of Scandinavia for the next centuries. The book analyses the most central sources and gives a vivid picture of medieval society in Denmark during the late Middle Ages. At the same time the book describes the character of this dynamic woman, who is considered as one of the most important rulers in the Middle Ages. Only a very small part of the literature concerning Scandinavian medieval history has been published in English, and this book gives for the first time foreign readers the opportunity to read about the background to the founding of the Nordic Union. The text is well illustrated.
Table of ContentsList of Abbreviations List of Illustrations Preface 1. Denmark during the reign of Valdemar IV Atterdag 2. The struggle for the crown of Denmark 3. Society, class and government 4. Pirates and commercial war against the Hanseatic League 5. The great herring market in Scania 6. The counts of Holstein and southern Jutland 7. The flight for the crown of Sweden 8. Catastrophe and reconstruction 9. "victory in the hands of a woman" 10. The consolidation of power 11. Queen Margrete as legislator 12. The Nordic Union 1397 13. The struggle for Gtoland and the final surrender of Stockholm 14.State and Church 15. Queen Margrete's religious gifts and donations 16. Chancellor and bishop- the career of Peder Jensen Lodehat 17. The struggle for Gotland and the mystery of the false King oluf 18. A royal wedding 19. The queen's letter of 1405 20. The Slesvig-Holstein problem 21. The death of Queen Margrete 22. A royal game of chess 23. Art, education and literature 24. Everyday life in teh country and the towns 25. Assessments of Queen Margrete through the centuries Sources and Bibliography Index
