The Battle of Grathe Heath was fought in 1157 between the Danish armies of Valdemar I and his rival for the Danish throne, Sweyn III. Valdemar's forces won the battle, and Sweyn III was slain while attempting to flee.
Monument at Grathe hede, by J.Th Hansen
The Battle of Grathe Heath, by Lorenz Frølich
The Sven Grathe-cros, a monument by Thor Lange.
Valdemar I Knudsen, also known as Valdemar the Great, was King of Denmark from 1154 until his death in 1182. The reign of King Valdemar I saw the rise of Denmark, which reached its medieval zenith under his son King Valdemar II.
1157 bracteate depicting Valdemar and his wife, Sophia
Valdemar den Store statue in Ringsted