Henry's victory at Schmilau ended pagan Obotrite resistance, unified the Obotrite realm under Christian rule, and established Liubice as its capital.
Key Facts
- Year
- 1093
- Location
- Schmilau, near Ratzeburg, eastern Holstein
- Victorious side
- Christian coalition led by Prince Henry
- Pagan leader defeated
- Rochel, Wagrian prince and pirate
- Capital established after victory
- Liubice
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Henry, an Obotrite Christian prince raised in Denmark, sought to avenge the murder of his father Gottschalk and reclaim power over the Obotrites. After killing the pagan chief Kruto in 1093, pagan Slavic forces rose in rebellion against Henry's bid to consolidate control, prompting armed confrontation with his coalition of Saxon and Danish allies.
At Schmilau near Ratzeburg in eastern Holstein, Henry's Christian coalition—supported by Duke Magnus of Saxony and a Danish contingent—met a pagan Slavic force led by Rochel, a Wagrian prince and pirate from the vicinity of Oldenburg. Henry's forces prevailed in the engagement, decisively defeating the pagan Obotrite resistance.
Henry's victory allowed him to consolidate authority over the Obotrite realm and establish Liubice as his capital, marking the reassertion of Christian rule among the Obotrites and ending the pagan uprising that had followed his father Gottschalk's murder.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Prince Henry (Obotrite), Duke Magnus of Saxony.
Side B
1 belligerent
Rochel (Wagrian prince).