The Kovirke -

new defences for Hedeby?

The Kovirke is part of the Danevirke system of ramparts. It consists of an earthwork and a ditch. It runs in a straight line between the waters of Selk Noor near the Viking Age trading centre of Hedeby and the floodplain of the Rheide Au river. This is an example of how natural barriers such as rivers, marshes and lakes were strategically incorporated in the planning of the Danevirke. The Kovirke was not built until the end of the 10th century and ran south of existing sections of the Danevirke.

Harald Bluetooth was then king of Denmark, and his seat was in Jelling. He ordered the construction of the Kovirke after a conflict between Denmark and the East Frankish Empire. As a result, the important trading town of Hedeby was better protected as it was no longer located at the first line of defence. The Kovirke comprised an earthen rampart with a wooden palisade front and a V-shaped ditch. The construction is similar to the Danish ring fortresses built by King Harald Bluetooth throughout Denmark at about the same time. These are named after the Trelleborg fortress on Zealand.