The Battle of Stellau
Part of the Danish Crusades
Date1201
Location
Wrist, Germany
Result Danish victory
Belligerents
Denmark Holstein
Commanders and leaders
Valdemar II Adolf III of Holstein
Strength
~2000-4000 ~3000
Casualties and losses
minor losses ~3000
Entire force annihilated
Imaginary portrait of
King Valdemar II of Denmark

The Battle of Stellau was a battle that took place in the year 1201 near the village of Stellau near Wrist, in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

A German army led by Count Adolf III of Holstein fought a Danish army under King Canute VI of Denmark. Duke Valdemar of Schleswig, supporting the interests of his brother, the Danish King, defeated Adolf and his forces from Holstein.

History

After Adolf III of Holstein returned to Europe from the Third Crusade in 1197, a disagreement between him and the Danish King Canute VI broke out on the island of Rügen in 1200, followed by an armed conflict in Dithmarschen.

Duke Valdemar of Schleswig ordered his army to prepare for war and side with Denmark, ruled by his brother. Adolf led his German army from Holstein to battle in Stellau and crushed the Danes. However, when Adolf and his forces pulled back toward the city of Hamburg, he was besieged, defeated, and captured by Valdemar.

In 1202, Valdemar of Schleswig became King Valdemar II of Denmark. His imprisonment of Adolf continued until 1203, when due to an illness, he was freed by the new king on the condition that he waive all claims to Holstein. Adolf withdrew to his ancestral seat, Schaumburg Castle, where he remained until his death in 1225.

After this battle, Valdemar acquired the nicknamed "the Conqueror," and maintained his hegemony over the north German coast, including Holstein. His authority continued until the Battle of Bornhöved in 1227, where he was defeated by Adolf IV of Holstein, the son of Adolf III.

A Romanesque stone church consecrated in 1230 by Archbishop Gebhard II of Bremen now marks the historic battle site in Stellau.

Sources

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