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359 u chapte r i x u Of Denmark.§1. Denmark is one of the most antient Kingdoms in Europe, which was Established a great many years before the Birth of our Saviour, but for want of ‘good’ [accurate] Histories it cannot be precisely determin’d at what time it had its beginning, nor how long each of its antient Kings Reign’d, or what were their great Deeds. We will not therefore detain the Reader by inserting here their bare Names, but only to touch upon such matters as are with some certainty transmitted to Posterity. Among the most antient Kings, Frotho III. is most famous, who, ’tis said, did Reign just before the Birth of Christ, and was a most Potent Monarch, who Rul’d over Denmark, Sweden, Norway, England, Ireland, and other Neighbouring States. The Borders of his Territories were on the East-side Russia, and on the West-side the Rhine. ’Tis also related, that he Conquer’d the Vandals, which lived then in these Countries that now are call’d Pomerania and Mecklenburgh, and that he was the first King that stiled himself King of the Vandals. Gotrick ’tis said, did {greatly} assist Wittekind, the King of the Saxons, against Charles the Great. Erick+ {who began to reign A. 846} is commonly reckon’d to have been the first Christian King of Denmark (tho some pretend, that his Brother Harald, who Reign’d before him, was the first). Under this Kings Reign the Christian Religion was propagated in Denmark by the help of Ansgarius, then Bishop of Bremen; which afterwards King Gormo II. endeavouring to root out again, was forc’d by the Emperour Henry, surnamed the Bird Ketcher, to grant the free Exercise of the Christian Religion throughout his Kingdom. His Son Harald was attack’d by Denmark a very antient Kingdom. Frotho III. Erick I. 360 chapter ix the Em-perour Otto I. from whom the Sea betwixt Jutland and Holland has got the Name of Otten Sound; because the Emperour there threw in his Lance to mark the utmost Limits of his Expedition. His Son Suen Otto came to the Crown in the year 980. who being taken Prisoner by the Jutins, was redeem’d by the Women, who gave their Gold and Silver Ornaments for his Ransom: In recompence of which he granted them this Privilege, that whereas they used only to have a small Portion in Mony out of their Fathers Inheritance, they for the future should have an equal share with the Males. He also Conquer’d a part of England, and died in the year 1012. His+ Son Canut, or Cnut II. [I.] surnamed the Great, was King of Denmark, Norway and England, having Conquer’d the latter of these three by force of Arms, tho England did not remain long under the subjection of the Danes; for after his death, Harald and only Hardiknut Reign’d in England; after whose death the Danes were again chased out of England. Besides this, Magnus, Son of S. Olaus King of Norway , made himself Master of Denmark; which Kingdom however, after his death, Sueno II. obtain’d, but he was forc’d to fight for it against Harald Hardrode, then King of Norway. He died in the year 1074. Him succeeded his Sons Harald VII. (who Reign’d but two years) and Canute IV. This King did give great Power to the Bishops in Denmark and granted the Tenths of all the Revenues of the Country to the Clergy. At which the Jutes being exasperated, slew him at Oden Sea \A. 1087\; but the Clergy as an acknowledgement of his Favours bestowed upon them, placed him in the number of Saints, and his memory was afterwards celebrated with full Cups at their Feasts, by those who call’d themselves the Knutgylden, from him. His Brother Olaus IV. succeeded him, who 1. Harald’s son, Sweyn [Sven, Svend] I Forkbeard (ca. 960–1014), was named after Otto I at his baptism. 2. He was Canute II of Denmark and Canute I of England. 3. The term Knutgylden is unclear, though probably associated with the “cult of Canute” that arose after the canonization of Knud IV (the Holy) in 1101. Knud’s (r. 1080–86) so-called martyrdom on July 10, 1086, at St. Alban’s church in Odense, which he had built and staffed with Benedictine monks from England, was as much due to his vigorous assertion of royal prerogative...

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