Danmarks Handel og Industri

DENMARK The history of Denmark dates back to remote antiquity, but as far back as we can trace the Danes, we hear of them as a people who, enterprising and daring, make long voyages to the East and West. It was the character of their country, which marked the Danes, for Denmark was a kingdom of islands. The sea washed its shores, and beyond this sea — far away or near — was other countries and other folks, where honour and riches might be gained. The Danish coat-of-arms symbolises the Danish insular kingdom, in the form of three blue lions rampant amongst water lily leaves, i. e. the three Sounds which devide the Danish Islands. And in the Danish National Anthem the sea is eulogized as the »Path of the Dane to fame and might«. Here we have the character of the country and the history of the people in a nutshell. At the beginning of the Viking era the Danes were the ruling people in the North, and their power extended far beyond the present Danish boundary. They conquered territory in Normandy, England and other places, where traces of Scandinavian colonization may still be seen, and gradually they formed centres for an extensive trade. In the early middle- ages »Danevældet« subjugated England. Later on the Danes ruled over the greater part of the coast of the Baltic, and both the Wends and Ests were compelled to yield to the Danish Crown, and there were periods during which the Danish sceptre swayed over the entire North. Already in Ancient Times Denmark boasted of some considerable commercial towns, e. g. Ribe did a brisk trade westward with England and Flanders. Here merchandise from the West was offered for sale, and from this place the excellent Danish horses which in great numbers were reared on the rich pastures, were exported along with other goods. It was also at this port that the Danish pilgrims for Rome embarked, while Danish mer- Historical Outline.