The Siege of Kolding (Danish: Belejringen af Kolding) also known as the Siege of Koldinghus, was a siege by Jutish rebels on the Holsteinian-held Castle of Koldinghus in 1341. The siege ended unsuccessful, and Count Henry II of Holstein-Rendsburg retaliated by raiding much of Jutland.
Siege of Kolding | |||||||||
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Part of Niels Ebbesen's Rebellion | |||||||||
Present-day Koldinghus seen from the north, 2006. | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
Jutish rebels | Holstein | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Unknown | Henry II | ||||||||
Units involved | |||||||||
Jutish peasants and knights | Koldinghus garrison | ||||||||
Strength | |||||||||
Unknown, but large | Unknown | ||||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||||
Unknown | Unknown |
In 1340, a group of 50 Jutes, led by Niels Ebbesen, a minor nobleman, launched a surprise attack on Count Gerhard III, who was regent of Denmark at that time, in Randers, resulting in his assassination.[1] This event sent shockwaves throughout the country and in the aftermath, Ebbesen and his followers fled south across the Gudenå River, continuing their rebellion further south.[1]
Ebbesen and his men now launched an assault on a Holsteinian fortification near present-day Skjern River, killing many Germans.[2] Next, they set their sights on the strategically important Skanderborg Castle and besieged the place.[3] However, the besieged Germans got reinforcements and confronted the Danes in open battle.[4] The battle resulted in the death of Niels Ebbesen, however, the revolt did not seem to have ended as a result of the battle.[4]
The year after the battle, the Jutish rebels had gone, with great power, towards Koldinghus, which they would try to conquer.[5] However, Count Henry of Holstein-Rendsburg (nickname Iron Henry), who had inherited his father's uncontrollable fighting spirit and warrior skill, came to the fortification's rescue, just like he did with Skanderborg.[5] In the following confrontation, the Jutish rebels retreated from Koldinghus, and the Count would retaliate against the Jutes by raiding much of their controlled area.[6] As a result, Henry gathered a big booty and left again to his base at Funen.[5]
The explanation for Henry's far-reaching raids lies in his area of control: Henry and the Germans had control over Funen, which meant they could both raid west in Jutland and east on Zealand.[6]
- Siege of Kolding (1368–1369) – Siege in Denmark, 1369
- Niels Ebbesen – Danish folk hero
- Siege of Skanderborg – 1340 siege in Denmark
- Gerhard III, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg – Count of Holstein-Rendsburg
- Battle of Nonnebjerg – 1340 battle in Denmark
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