Page "Gesta Danorum" Paragraph 5

Book 14, comprising nearly one-quarter of the text of the entire work, ends with Absalon's appointment to Archbishop in 1178.

Since this book is so large and Absalon has greater importance than King Valdemar I, this book may have been written first and comprised a work on its own.

It is possible that Saxo then enlarged it with Books 15 and 16, telling the story of King Valdemar I's last years and King Canute VI's first years.