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.

Valdemar II Valdemarsen, later remembered as Valdemar the Victorious, was King of Denmark from 1202 until his death in 1241.