History of Randers in short terms
Randers was established around the 1100s,
but there has also been discovered evidence of population from Viking times.
Canute IV of Denmark (ca.
1043-1086), also known as Canute the Saint and Canute the Holy, minted coins
in the town. The peasants who rose up against him and his plans to attack
England and its ruler, William the Conqueror, assembled in this town. Their
uprising led to his death.
 The
town was fortressed throughout much of the Middel Ages. Today, however, the
only sign of defensive walls is the evidence of their existence in street
names. These streets follow a circular path, presumably following the
location of the historic walls. Street names include Østervold
("Eastern Defense Wall), Nørreport ("Northern Gate"),
Vestervold ("Western Defense Wall), and Lille Voldgade
(Little Defense Wall Street").
A chronicle written at Essenbæk Monestary
(situated 5 miles east of Randers) tells of a fire that ravaged the city.
The city was destroyed three times in the 1200s, including in 1246 when it
was burned down by Abel of Denmark's troops during the civil uprising
against Eric IV of Denmark.
To the left is the house where Danish nobleman and national hero Niels
Ebbesen, according to legend, killed Count Richard (Gerhard) III of Holstein
on April 1, 1340 during the Kingless Times, when the entire country was
pledged to German counts.
The legend continues, that the open hatch
you see under the roofline is never to be closed. If it does, the evil
spirit of the Count can't get out, and will haunt the residents.
The events are historical, but Niels Ebbesen never saw this house.
It was build in 1640 0r 300 years after the actual events.
 This
action led to further insurrection against the Germans.
Niels Ebbesen died in a large battle at Skanderborg Castle (Skanderborg
Slot) in December 1340.
He was recognized as the first Danish
Freedomfighter and a statue to his honor is erected in front of Randers' Old
City Hall today.
When King Valdemar IV of Denmark (Valdemar
Atterdag) tried to assemble a government in 1350 after the mortgaging to the
Holsteiners, the town was further reinforced with protection, and was often
named as Randershus ("Randers Fortress"). This fortification was
captured by dissatisfied nobility in 1357. In 1359 Valdemar attacked the
captured city with the strength all of his forces.
In 1534 a farmers uprising tried to storm
the town unsuccessfully. Massive moats were set up around the town under the
rule of King Christian III (1536-1559).
During its peak there were alamost 170
merchants' estates in the area, and a sizeable navy that sailed around the
world. Some of these old half-timbered estates and manor homes can still be
seen in the town.
According to "The Popular Encyclopedia or
Conversation Lexicon", Blackie & Son c 1890, it contained at that time an
arsenal, a classical school with six professors, and had several industrial
establishments, including manufactures of gloves, for which it had long been
famous. The town was also known for salmon, rope, and pretty women.
The harbour near the town had only 7½ feet
of water, but there was a good shipyard; and at some distance below, at the
mouth of the fjord, there was another harbour with 9 to 10 feet water, and
roads with good anchorage in 4 to 5 fathoms.
Randers was important militarily, and could
encamp from 10,000 to 15,000 men in the town and its neighbourhood, in a
position which could not easily be forced. Population in 1880: 13,457. |
- Rasmussen
Randers,
the main city in Randers municipality on the Jutland peninsula in
central Denmark. It is Denmark's 6th largest city with a population of
55,739 (2004). 
