Valdemar I
Whereas Skjalm Hvide brought up Canute Lavard, the father of Valdemar I, Canute's son Valdemar I was brought up by Skjalm's son Asser. Asser's son Absalon and stepson Valdemar I became great friends. Before the mid-12th century, an era of Danish warfare and expansion broke out, led by Absalon for – and together with – his stepbrother Valdemar I. The unrest was started by a Danish civil war fought in 1146–1157, which led to Valdemar in 1157 being crowned as King Valdemar I of Denmark, a.k.a. "Valdemar the Great" (reign: 1157–1182). Thereafter, Absalon remained a war commander, minister and chief adviser first to Valdemar I and then – following the death of Valdemar I in 1182 – to his successor, King Canute VI (reign: 1182–1202).