Background
He was the eldest son of King Abel of Denmark, Duke of Schleswig and Matilda of Holstein. At the time of his father"s death in 1252, Valdemar was being held prisoner in the Archbishopric of Cologne, the hostage of the Prince-Archbishop.
He was the eldest son of King Abel of Denmark, Duke of Schleswig and Matilda of Holstein. At the time of his father"s death in 1252, Valdemar was being held prisoner in the Archbishopric of Cologne, the hostage of the Prince-Archbishop.
Thus unable to claim the throne of Denmark, his father"s younger brother Christopher I was elected king. However, his mother"s relatives, the counts of Holstein were able to obtain his release and supported his claim to the Duchy of Schleswig. In 1253 Christopher I had to relinquish his opposition and created him Duke.
Valdemar died in 1257.