Kolding

Kolding lies at the head of a fjord in southeastern Jutland. Above the town stands Koldinghus, founded in the thirteenth century as a royal fortress against the dukes of Schleswig. Its position near the frontier made it both a residence for Danish kings and a place of war and negotiation.

Holstein forces and Jutish rebels besieged the castle in 1341 and again in 1368–1369. Later kings enlarged it: Christopher of Bavaria built the northern wing, Christian I the western wing, and Christian III the southern range and courtyard towers. During the Torstenson War Danish and Swedish forces fought at Kolding in January 1644, and a Danish expedition retook the town in May. In December 1658 a Polish and Danish force under Stefan Czarniecki defeated the Swedes nearby.