Border Crossing Denmark | Germany – Tønder | Süderlügum
In 811 the Eider was recognized as border between Denmark and the Frankish Empire. As a swampy river it formed a natural border. On the highest area near the watershed, it was dryer. The very old travel route Hærvejen went there, and a defense wall, Danevirke, was built there. Later the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein arose.
Before 1864 Schleswig was a fiefdom of Denmark, while Holstein was a fief of the Roman-German Empire respectively a member of the German Confederation (after 1815). Both territories were ruled by the Danish king in his additional role as Duke of Schleswig and Duke of Holstein .
The border between the Danish fief of Schleswig and the German fief of Holstein still ran along the Eider, the boundary between the duchies and the Kingdom of Denmark ran along the Kongeåen and the southern boundary of the Danish monarchy ran along the Elbe.
Epic Denmark Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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