Hjelm is a small Danish unpopulated island located in the Kattegat 10 km (6 mi) south-east from Ebeltoft.

[2] There has been found evidence of human activity on Hjelm, as early as the Stone Ages, but it first entered Denmark's history in 1287, when the outlawed Marsk Stig fled to this barren island, after the murder of Erik Klipping the year before.

The outlaw sought help and assistance from the Norwegian king Eric "Priest Hater" and he supplied them with a total of three fortresses, various fortifications, ships and troops.

Recent archaeological excavations have revealed that in the year of 1289 Marsk Stig and his men attacked and demolished the royal castle of Brattingsborg on the island of Samsø, just south of Hjelm.

[3] With that neighbouring threat out of the way, the outlaws conducted piracy and counterfeiting from Hjelm until 1295.