Battles & Campaigns · 1227
Battle of Bornhöved (1227)
Bornhöved, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
What happened
The battle near Bornhöved was long and hard. The Danes were close to winning, but the Dithmarschen troops switched sides at a key moment and the Danes had to give way. Valdemar escaped.
Why it matters
Denmark's border with the Holy Roman Empire moved north from the Elbe to the Eider River, where it stayed until 1806. Denmark lost its north German lands.
What came next
Holstein regained its independence, and Dithmarschen became a self-governing peasant republic until 1559.
Did you know?
Valdemar escaped because a German knight carried him to safety on his horse.
Timeline
- 1219Battle of Lyndanisse and the legend of the Danish flag.
- 1223Valdemar is captured by the Count of Schwerin.
- 22 Jul 1227Battle of Bornhöved.
- 1806The Eider border ends.