In 1203 it was conquered by Waldemar II., king of Denmark, but in 1227 it reverted to Albert, a son of its former duke.
Hadersleben is first mentioned in 1228, and received municipal rights from Duke Waldemar II.
On his accession, King George signed an act resigning his right of succession to the Danish throne in favour of his younger brother Prince Waldemar.
About 1312 Frederick, who had become involved in a dispute with Waldemar, margrave of Brandenburg, over the possession of lower Lusatia, was taken prisoner.
Surrendering lower Lusatia he was released, but it was only after Waldemar's death in 1319 that he obtained undisputed possession of Meissen.