Battle of Fodevig
| date | June 11, 1134 |
|---|---|
| place | Fodevig in Skåne |
| output | Erik Emunes wins over King Niels |
| consequences | Erik Emune became king |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
|
King Niels and his son Magnus |
Erik Emune |
The Battle of Fodevig (Swedish: Foteviken, "Fote Bay") near Vellinge in Skåne was the last and decisive battle of the Danish civil war between Erik Emune , King Niels of Denmark and his son Magnus Nielsen and led to Erik's reign Emune. The main sources on the battle are the Chronicon Roskildense , the Gesta Danorum of the Saxo Grammaticus and the Knýtlinga saga .
On Pentecost, King Niels, his son and Henrik Skadelår and the bishops of the empire moved to Skåne with a large army in order to bring about the decision with Erik Emune once and for all and thus end the civil war that had been going on since the murder of Duke Knud by Magnus Nielsen Lavard had visited Denmark in January 1131.
In the meantime, however, the Archbishop Asker von Lund had sided with Erik Emune. Asker had a strong force that significantly strengthened Erik's army. Erik Emune also managed to get German troops.
On Whit Monday, June 11th 1134, the battle of Fodevig took place. Erik Emune defeated the army of King Niels. It was the first battle in Denmark in which a cavalry was used on a large scale.
In this battle Magnus, Henrik Skadelår, the bishops Peder von Roskilde, Thore von Ribe, Ketil von Vestervig and Henrik von Sigtuna and 60 clergymen and many worldly greats were killed.
King Niels fled to Zealand with Erik Emune's brother Harald Kesja, whom he had just appointed co-king. Then Niels moved to Schleswig, where the citizens killed him in revenge for the murder of their Duke Knud Lavard. Harald Kesja fled to Norway.
This is how Erik Emune became King of Denmark.
literature
- Stefan Pajung: "Slaget ved Fodevig 1134" in: danmarkshistorien.dk