Eric I, Duke of Schleswig

Erich I (c. 1242, † May 27, 1272 ) was the second son of King Abel of Denmark and Mechthild von Holstein, daughter of Count Adolf IV of Schauenburg and Holstein. From 1260 he was Duke of Schleswig.

Duke of Schleswig

After the death of his father at first was his older brother Waldemar III. to disagreements with the Danish king Christoffer ultimately Duke of Schleswig.

After the death of his brother Eric I followed him, and in 1260 invested with the Duchy, but continued the war to Denmark and Schleswig continued. In 1261 he won the battle on the Lohheide and captured the royal cousin Erich V. of Denmark and his mother. He thus secured his line of Schleswig as a hereditary fief. In addition, his younger brother Abel was then invested with Langeland. He was supported by the princes of Rügen and Count of Holstein, but still lost gradually his country down to the southernmost part of the crown. At times he was even chased by Holstein.

To 1260, he married Margaret of Rügen ( * 1247, † 1272 ), daughter of Prince Jaromar II of Rügen, with whom he had the following children:

• Margarete ( † after 1313 ) ∞ either around 1285 Helmhold III. , Count of Schwerin Boizenburg († 1299 )?
• ∞ or ...

In 1268 he bought from Bundo, Bishop of Schleswig ( 1265-1282 ), ( † 1282), castle Gottorp and began expanding the ducal castle.