From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Dannevirke, also known as Danewerk, means 'Danes defence'. It is an earthwork in South Jutland (Sønderjylland in Danish), a wall between 12 and 20 feet in height built by the Danes to protect themselves from the Franks. It was built between the 8th and 10th century AD and stretched from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, and separated the Jutland Peninsula from the northern extent of the Franks' empire.
The wall was destroyed in 1864 after its capture by the Austrians and Prussians. After the fall of the defence, many Danes from South Jutland immigrated.
Dannevirke, meaning 'Danes work', is a rural service town in the southern Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand. It is the major town of the administrative district of Tararua. The surrounding area has developed into dairy & sheep farming, which now provides the major income for the town's population of 6,000.
The Australian politician, and former Premier of Queensland, Jo Bjelke-Petersen was born in Dannevirke.
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History
The town was founded in 1872 by Danish settlers, who arrived at the port of Napier and moved inland. The settlers, who arrived under the Public Works Act, built their initial settlement in a clearing of the Seventy Mile Bush. The settlement quickly earned the nickname of 'sleeper town', as the town's purpose was to provide totara sleepers for the Napier-Wellington railway. At one stage the area had 50 operating sawmills. After the native bush was cleared, the land was turned into pasture for grazing animals.More Information
