Jerslev, Denmark

During the middle ages, Vendsyssel was a single syssel: an administrative district which was further divided into Herreds. In 1231, one of these herreds was recorded as Jarlsefheret, a name which implies that the town had been the seat of an earl (Danish: jarl). This name eventually evolved into its modern Danish version: Jerslev Herred. Although the town of Jerslev was evidently the original seat of the regions earl, by the 17th century the administrative head of the region had taken up permanent residence at another manor within a nearby town.[2]

During the Thirty Years' War, this region was occupied by Swedish troops who enforced their supremacy and extorted Jerslev Herred through threat of arson, plunder, and "other inconveniences of war".[3][4] Several of the towns farms and houses were destroyed or burned.[5] Jerslev Herred once covered a significant portion of central Vendsyssel and functioned as its own local government.[6] By 1835, the administrative region was completely dissolved into the neighboring Herreds of Børglum and Dronninglund, though the town retained its name.[7][8]

Before the construction of a railroad through the neighboring city of Brønderslev, Jerslev was located at a heavily trafficked crossroads and in 1711 there were four substantial inns in the town. This did not last, however, and by 1733 all of these inns had closed. For the time being, Jerslev remained a small farming village with relatively few houses. In 1920, there were around 20 farm estates within the town's current boarder, but by 1950 most of these estates had been divided into building plots. As of 2006, none remain in use for agricultural purposes.[2]

Jerslev expanded during the interwar period, though growth plateaued after World War II. In 1925 the town had a population of 592 and by 1940, 742 people lived in Jerslev. During the interwar period the majority of the population made lively hood through farming. A 1930 survey on the employment of Jerslev's population found that 205 worked on farms, 187 in industrial work, 71 in trade business, 32 in other forms of business, 29 in transportation, and 51 in housework, while 64 were recorded as being unemployed.[9] During the occupation of Denmark during World War II approximately 150 German soldiers were quartered at the inn and the town hall. One of such soldiers attempted to defect in the forest near Klæstrup. Many residents were involved, and when he was discovered several were arrested and served sentences.[10]

As part of the 1970 Danish Municipal Reforms, Jerslev Municipality (Danish: Jerslev Kommune) was merged with surrounding regions to form Brønderslev Municipality. Because there may not be more than one street with a given name within the same municipality, many of the streets in Jerslev had to be renamed. As a result, the streets are today mainly named after various plants and islands.[11]