Absalon Hvide

Place: Copenhagen

Death: 1201

Biography:

Absalon Hvide (c. 1128 – 21 March 1201) was a Danish statesman and prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as the bishop of Roskilde from 1158 to 1192 and archbishop of Lund from 1178 until his death. Absalon was a key figure in the Danish policies of territorial expansion in the Baltic Sea, Europeanization in close relationship with the Holy See, and reform in the relation between the Church and the public. He combined the ideals of Gregorian Reform with loyal support of a strong monarchical power. He was born into the powerful Hvide clan and owned great land possessions. He endowed several church institutions, most prominently his family's Sorø Abbey. He was granted lands by the crown, and built the first fortification of the city that evolved into modern-day Copenhagen. His titles were passed on to his nephews Anders Sunesen and Peder Sunesen. He died in 1201, and was interred at Sorø Abbey.