Esbern Snare, also known as Esbern the Resolute, (1127–1204) was a høvding, or chieftain, royal chancellor and crusader. His family were members of the powerful Hvide clan. In 1192, during the Crusades and after the fall of Jerusalem, he led a small group of Danish soldiers to the Holy Land. Upon his return, he had the Church of Our Lady, Kalundborg built. Early life Born in 1127, Snare was the eldest son of Asser Rig (c. 1080–1151), also called Asser the rich, of the Hvide clan. Esbern's mother, Lady Inge, was the daughter of and Princess Cecilia Knutsdatter. He was the grandson of Skjalm Hvide and great-grandson of Canute IV of Denmark (c. 1042 – 10 July 1086), the first Danish king (1080–1086) to be canonized. His family lived in Fjenneslev, Zealand. His brother was Absalon (c. 1128–1201), who became a powerful warrior leader and main advisor to Danish kings, and also Bishop of Roskilde and later Archbishop of Lund. Valdemar was his foster brother. His other sibling was Ingefred Assersdatter (c. 1130-1160). Marriages and children Esbern was married three times. His first two wives were Holmfred and Ingeborg. His third wife, Helene, was the daughter of a Swedish Jarl, who is presumed to be Guttorm. With Helene, he had a daughter Ingeborg, who married Peder Strangesen (died 1241), who may have been the son of Valdemar. She became the owner of Esbern's castle at Kalundborg. He also had a daughter who married Anders Knudsen Grosøn of Tersløsegaard manor in Sorø.

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Esbern Snare, also known as Esbern the Resolute, (1127–1204) was a høvding, or chieftain, royal chancellor and crusader. His family were members of the powerful Hvide clan. In 1192, during the Crusades and after the fall of Jerusalem, he led a small group of Danish soldiers to the Holy Land. Upon his return, he had the Church of Our Lady, Kalundborg built.