Valdemar Atterdag's invasion of Gotland

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Valdemar Atterdag's invasion of Gotland
Part of the Danish-Hanseatic War (1361-1370)
Valdemar Atterdag holding Visby to ransom, 1361, by Carl Gustaf Hellqvist in 1882
Date 22 – 27 July 1361 Location Gotland (present-day Sweden) Result Danish victory Territorial changes Gotland annexed by Denmark
Belligerents
Denmark	Sweden Gutes
Commanders and leaders
Valdemar Atterdag Christopher of Lolland Eric of Lauenburg	Unknown
Strength
2,000-2,500 men	c. 5,000 men
Casualties and losses
300 dead	3,000 dead

Valdemar Atterdag's invasion of Gotland took place in July 1361.

Danish King's Valdemar Atterdag troops won several battles on Gotland against Gutnian troops, the last outside Visby on 27 July. The inhabitants of Visby date and opened the city gates to the victor, after which the so-called fire assessment of Visby took place, an event surrounded by several myths. The king issued letters of privilege for Visby which confirmed the city's former privileges.

In retrospect, it is difficult to separate fiction from the truth of what happened, as there are quite a few contemporary sources. That Valdemar Atterdag was on Gotland and fought against the farmers is certain, and also that the battle outside Visby was one of the bloodiest in the History of Scandinavia, but claims about the fire estimate are difficult to substantiate. A series of myths and legends have lived on into our days. On May 1, 1361, the Swedish king Magnus Eriksson sent out a letter in which he warned the citizens of Visby about an impending attack. Valdemar's attack on Gotland seemed expected.^[1]

The remains of those who fell in the battle outside were thrown into mass graves, often with their armor on, which has meant that many of these have been preserved. The most famous mass grave is at the Battle of Visby.