ABEL (Abel)

(1218-1252) - King of Denmark. Dynasty Estridsenov. The son of Valdemar II winner, King of Denmark and Berengaria, daughter of Sancho I, King of Portugal. C 1237. - Married to Matilda, daughter of Adolf IV, Count Holstein. Father's death (March 1241) was in control of his older brother Eric Plovpenninga IV, King of Denmark, the Duchy of Schleswig.

Keen to master the royal authority, waged a long struggle against his brother, speaking at the head of the hostile factions of the nobility and Erica higher clergy, later became the organizer of the murder of Eric. Took the throne (August 1250) thanks to the support of cities. In order to make a ransom for his son, Valdemar, who was held captive by the Archbishop of Cologne, A. imposed additional taxes, but friezes, refused to pay them, and rose in rebellion, which humbled the king died. Abel's successor, was his younger brother, Christopher I; from the sons of Abel., For which reaffirmed the right of inheritance in Schleswig, stems Shlezvigskaya branch houses Estridsenov. (