Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/153

greatness during the reign of Valdemar III (called Atterdag) and Queen Morgarethe, had but little influence on the popular life of the day and none at all on the national literature. Immediately after the death of the great queen the national element again collapsed. The times were not favorable for the realization of her bold idea, the consolidation of the three northern kingdoms, and instead of being a blessing the Calmar union became a source of strife and discord among the nations of the North. The chasm between them grew wider and wider, and in the same proportion they became defenceless against their foreign foes. At the close of the middle age German ruled supreme in the church, in the schools, in the state and in society, and it was destined to retain its hold for a long time to come.