Christopher II of Denmark died in 1332, having pawned all of his kingdom away to German nobles and Hanseatic merchants, especially the infamous “Bald count” Gerhard III of Holstein. This started the 8-year period of the “Kingless time” until Valdemar Atterdag managed to restore the Danish state.
Already in 1333, Valdemar’s older brother Otto tried to stake his claim to the throne. He was Duke of Lolland and Estonia, then a Danish territory. His sister Margaret was married to Louis, Margrave of Brandenburg and son of Emperor Louis IV, of the house of Wittelsbach. With Louis’ support, which Otto gained promising him Estonia, Otto raised an army of Danes and Branenburgers and tried to force his way to Viborg in Jutland, intending to be hailed as king there.
Naturally Count Gerhard, and the Danish nobles quite happy not having a king, wished to prevent this and raised their own armies. Otto and Gerhard’s forces met outside Viborg at Taphede in October of 1334. The battle was hard fought, with Ottos forces supposedly fighting almost to the last man, but they were overcome by Gerhards men and Duke Otto was captured.
What if Otto had won that battle, and possibly captured or killed Count Gerhard? Defeating the dreaded count would be a big boost to his prestige in Denmark, and may get enough of the country on board with his rebellion that he could actually succeed in claiming the throne. His victory wouldn’t make Denmark completely independent again though, as he would be heavily reliant on Wittelsbach support - indeed some have viewed him as little more than a puppet of his brother-in-law. Denmark may be come a de-facto part of the HRE, atkeast for a time. Also, without the almost full decade of anarchy that was the kingless time the Danes may be more willing to sell out to the Germans again.
Might the Wittelsbach have an easier time of keeping the Imperial throne with a friendly kingdom to the north? What would a Wittelsbach-ruled Estonia look like?
Any input is appreciated.
Already in 1333, Valdemar’s older brother Otto tried to stake his claim to the throne. He was Duke of Lolland and Estonia, then a Danish territory. His sister Margaret was married to Louis, Margrave of Brandenburg and son of Emperor Louis IV, of the house of Wittelsbach. With Louis’ support, which Otto gained promising him Estonia, Otto raised an army of Danes and Branenburgers and tried to force his way to Viborg in Jutland, intending to be hailed as king there.
Naturally Count Gerhard, and the Danish nobles quite happy not having a king, wished to prevent this and raised their own armies. Otto and Gerhard’s forces met outside Viborg at Taphede in October of 1334. The battle was hard fought, with Ottos forces supposedly fighting almost to the last man, but they were overcome by Gerhards men and Duke Otto was captured.
What if Otto had won that battle, and possibly captured or killed Count Gerhard? Defeating the dreaded count would be a big boost to his prestige in Denmark, and may get enough of the country on board with his rebellion that he could actually succeed in claiming the throne. His victory wouldn’t make Denmark completely independent again though, as he would be heavily reliant on Wittelsbach support - indeed some have viewed him as little more than a puppet of his brother-in-law. Denmark may be come a de-facto part of the HRE, atkeast for a time. Also, without the almost full decade of anarchy that was the kingless time the Danes may be more willing to sell out to the Germans again.
Might the Wittelsbach have an easier time of keeping the Imperial throne with a friendly kingdom to the north? What would a Wittelsbach-ruled Estonia look like?
Any input is appreciated.