Valdemar III, Duke of Schleswig

Danish Royalty
House of Estridsen


Abel
Children
Valdemar III, Duke of Schleswig
Sophia, Princess of Anhalt-Bernburg
Eric I, Duke of Schleswig
Abel, Lord of Langeland
Grandchildren
Margaret, Countess of Schwerin
Valdemar IV, Duke of Schleswig
Eric Longbone, Lord of Langeland
Margaret, Abbess of Zarrentin
Great Grandchildren
Eric II, Duke of Schleswig
Great-Great Grandchildren
Valdemar III
Helvig, Queen of Denmark

Valdemar III Abelsøn (died 1257) was Duke of Schleswig from 1253 until his death in 1257. He was the eldest son of King Abel of Denmark, Duke of Schleswig and Matilda of Holstein.

Life

At the time of his father's death in 1252, Valdemar was being held prisoner in the Archbishopric of Cologne, the hostage of the Prince-Archbishop. Thus unable to claim the throne of Denmark, his father's younger brother Christopher I was elected king.

However, his mother's relatives, the counts of Holstein were able to obtain his release and supported his claim to the Duchy of Schleswig. In 1253 Christopher I had to relinquish his opposition and created him Duke.

The following years Valdemar spent fighting his uncle, King Christopher. Valdemar died in 1257. He was succeeded as duke by his younger brother, Eric I.