Henry I, Count of Schwerin

Henry I, Count of Schwerin
Statue of Henry, part of the façade of Schwerin Castle
Spouse(s)	Audacia of Pomerania-Schlawe
Noble family	House of Hagen
Father	Gunzelin I, Count of Schwerin
Born	c. 1155
Died	17 February 1228(1228-02-17)
Buried	Schwerin Cathedral

Henry I, Count of Schwerin (c. 1155 – 17 February 1228), also known as Henry the Black, was a German nobleman. He was a ruling Count of Schwerin and played an important role in the ending of the Danish supremacy in the southern coast of the Baltic Sea.

Henry was the fourth son of Gunzelin I, who had been invested with the County of Schwerin by Henry the Lion. In 1185, his father died and his eldest brother Helmold I inherited the county. In 1194, Helmold abdicated, and power was shared by Henry and his elder brother Gunzelin II.

After the fall of Henry the Lion, Denmark gained supremacy in Northern Germany and on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. The Kings of Denmark gradually expanded their influence southwards. In 1208, when the brothers had a dispute with one of their vassals, King Valdemar II of Denmark used this as an excuse to seize their territory. In 1214, they were allowed to return, provided they recognized Valdemar II as their liege lord. Valdemar II also decided that sister Ida should marry Count Nicholas of Halland, who was an illegitimate son of Valdemar II. Half the territory of Schwerin was given to Nicholas as his dowry.

in 1221 while Henry I was away, pariticpating in the Fifth Crusade, both his brother Gunzelin II and his brother-in-law Nicholas died. Valdemar II took up the guardianship of his grandson Nicholas of Halland-Schwerin, and appointed his nephew Albert II, Count of Weimar-Orlamünde as governor. In a deed dated 28 February, he confirmed his grandson's ownership of half of Schwerin. Henry returned from his crusade in 1223. He negotiated with Valdemar II about a return of his possessions, but nothing came of it and Henry I decided to take drastic action.

In the night from 6 to 7 May 1223, he abducted Valdemar II and his son Valdemar the Younger from the Danish island of Lyø, near Funen, where Valdemar was resting without his bodyguard, after he had been hunting. Henry I took his prisoners by boat to the German coast. As Schwerin was occupied by Danish troops, he hid his prisoners in Lenzen in Brandenburg, and later in the tower of the castle in Dannenberg. This tower was named Waldemar Tower, after the prisoner. After Henry I had reconquered the County of Schwerin in 1225, the prisoners were moved to Schwerin Castle.