In the Viking Age, the capital of Denmark was Hedeby, a bustling port city located in the southern reaches of the Jutland peninsula. Known as Haithabu to the Vikings, this emporium thrived as a major center of trade, commerce, and cultural exchange. Its strategic position at the head of the Schlei Fjord, connecting the Baltic and North Seas, made it a crucial hub for seafaring merchants, skilled craftsmen, and adventurous traders from across Scandinavia, the British Isles, and parts of Europe. Hedeby's wealth was evident in its extensive marketplace, where various goods, including slaves, honey, furs, weaponry, and luxurious items such as silks and spices, were exchanged. The city also boasted a mint, producing silver coins that facilitated trade and symbolized its economic prowess.
