After reunifying Denmark, Valdemar I began reorganizing his military in a style akin to that of the Vikings, focusing heavily on amphibious assault and raiding.

[2] These raids culminated in the late 1160s when King Valdemar and Bishop Absalon set out to conquer Rügen.

In Gesta Danorum, the chronicler Saxo Grammaticus writes that the siege only lasted for 8 days.

The Danish forces capitalized on the distracted Wends, who could not prevent the Danes from taking the gate and the fortress along with it.

The victorious Danes established the principality of Rügen, with Jaromar I becoming prince of the isle, and Valdemar its king.