Eric I, Duke of Schleswig

The seal of Eric I, the first known example of the coat of arms of Schleswig.

Eric I Abelsøn (died 27 May 1272) was a Danish nobleman. He was the ruling Duke of Schleswig from 1260 until his death in 1272. He was the second son of King Abel of Denmark, Duke of Schleswig and Mechtild of Holstein.

Early life

After the death of his elder brother Duke Valdemar III in 1257, Eric inherited the claim to the Duchy of Schleswig. However, his uncle and potential feudal overlord King Christopher I of Denmark refused to install him as duke.

Subsequently, Eric participated in the coalition of Bishop Peder Bang of Roskilde and Prince Jaromar II of Rugia against King Christopher. He took part in the military campaign of 1259 which resulted in the conquest of Copenhagen.

Duke of Schleswig

After the death of Christopher in 1259, he was created Duke of Schleswig by the new king Eric V in 1260.

Already the following year, fighting with the king broke out anew. The Queen Dowager, Margaret Sambiria, acting as regent for her under age son, feared aggression from the Duke. However, Duke Eric was able to defeat the royal army at the Battle of Lohede and capture the young King Eric and his mother. As a result, he was able to obtain huge advantages for his duchy at the subsequent treaty in 1264.

In 1268 he acquired Gottorp Castle from Bishop Bonde of Schleswig, who then moved his residence to Schwabstedt.

Duke Eric died 27 May 1272.

Marriage and issue

Eric married Margaret of Rugia, a daughter of Jaromar II, Prince of Rugia in 1259 or 1260. They had the following children:

• Margaret (died after 1313), married Helmold III, Count of Schwerin
• Valdemar IV, Duke of Schleswig (app. 1265–1312)
• Eric (Longbone), from 1295 Lord of Langeland (1272–1310), married Sophia Burghardsdatter (died 1325), daughter of Queen dowager Jutta of Denmark and Count Burchard VIII of Querfurt-Rosenburg, Burgrave of Magdeburg

Ancestry

Ancestors of Eric I, Duke of Schleswig

16. Canute Lavard               8. Valdemar I of Denmark                       17. Ingeborg of Kiev               4. Valdemar II of Denmark                             18. Volodar, Prince of Minsk and Hrodno               9. Sophia of Minsk                       19. Richeza of Poland               2. Abel of Denmark                                   20. Afonso I of Portugal               10. Sancho I of Portugal                       21. Maud of Savoy               5. Berengaria of Portugal                             22. Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona               11. Dulce of Aragon                       23. Petronila of Aragon               1. Eric I, Duke of Schleswig                                         24. Adolf II, Count of Holstein               12. Adolf III, Count of Holstein                       25. Matilda of Schwarzburg               6. Adolf IV, Count of Holstein                             26. Burchard II of Querfurt, Burgrave of Magdeburg               13. Adelheid of Querfurt                       27. Matilda of Gleichen               3. Matilda of Holstein                                   28. Bernhard II, Lord of Lippe               14. Hermann II, Lord of Lippe                       29. Heilwig of Are-Hostaden               7. Heilwig of Lippe                             30. Simon I, Count of Tecklenburg               15. Oda of Tecklenburg                       31. Oda of Berg-Altena