I am Valdemar den Stor i was born seven days after the death of my father, Knud Lavard, and grew up with the Zealand magnate Asser Rig together with his sons Esbern Snare and Absalon. But before i could sit on the throne, i had to go through a series of battles with other candidates for the post of king. They ceased, however, when Sven 3rd Grathe killed my ally Knud 3rd, and i shortly afterwards defeated Sven.