Background
Henry was the elder son of Count Gerhard III and Sophia of Werle.
Henry was the elder son of Count Gerhard III and Sophia of Werle.
Henry was a major European player as a mercenary leader and a typical representative of the late medieval knighthood. He fought in Italy, Russia, Estonia and France. He served in the English and Swedish armies.
In 1367, he was commander of a fleet of the Hanseatic League and in 1368, he conquered Copenhagen.
His seal had the inscription: South (IGILLUM) * HINRICI * Doctorate (East) I * GRA (TIA) * COMIT ( Instruction Section) * HOLTZACIE * STORM ARIA (of Henry by the grace of God Duke of Holstein, (and) Stormarn).