The battle at Grathe Hede October 23rd 1157 was the end of a civil war over the crown, between Svend Grathe 3rd, Knud 5th and Valdemar 1st The Great. In 1146 Sven Grathe became King of Seeland and Skåne and Knud became King of Jutland. Knud attempted in several campaigns to conquer Seeland (1147 and 1150), but was displaced and fled to Germany.

Valdemar, who sided with Svend at first (who had nominated him Duke of Slesvig) changed sides, which he proved by engaging Knuds half-sister Sophie. However, the three candidates for the crown decided to share the reign, so that Valdemar got Jutland, Knud reigned Fionia and Seeland and Svend remained King of Skåne.

They held a reconciliation party in Roskilde on August 9 1157, but Svend had his men assail the other two. Knud was killed and but Valdemar fled to Jutland where he gathered a large army. By the end of September his army was so strong that he dared to fight Svends army and on October 23rd the two armies fought eachother at Grath Hede.

Svend ended up fleeing and when he reached some swamps at the end of Hauge Lake he lost his weapons and armour. He was taken prisoner and killed with the stroke of an ax

Thor Lange raised a stone cross in memorial of the event. The memorial stone also marks the location of The Chapel of Grathe, where Svend Grathe is said to be buried.