Esbern Snare (1127–1204), also known as Esbern the Resolute, was a høvding, or chieftain, royal chancellor and crusader. His family were members of the powerful Hvide clan. In 1192, during the Crusades and after the fall of Jerusalem, he led a small group of Danish soldiers to the Holy Land. Upon his return, he had the Church of Our Lady, Kalundborg built.
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Early life
Born in 1127, Snare was the eldest son of Asser Rig (c. 1080–1151), also called Asser the rich, of the Hvide clan. Esbern's mother, Lady Inge, was the daughter of Eric, the Jarl of Falster and Princess Cecilia Knutsdatter. He was the grandson of Skjalm Hvide and great-grandson of Canute IV of Denmark (c. 1042 – 10 July 1086), the first Danish king (1080–1086) to be canonized.
His family lived in Fjenneslev, Zealand. His brother was Absalon (c. 1128–1201), who became a powerful warrior leader and main advisor to Danish kings, and also Bishop of Roskilde and later Archbishop of Lund. Valdemar I of Denmark was his foster brother. His other sibling was Ingefred Assersdatter (c. 1130-1160).
