Frederiksborg - Kronborg. Christian IV and Mistress: Vibeka Kruse

Kronborg and Frederiksborg

Two Castles, One Christian IV

Kronborg, at Helsingor; and Frederiksborg, at Hillerod, are some of a number of castles, royal residences, other structures built or rebuilt in the 16th and 17th Centuries. Add Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen.  Frederick and his son, Christian IV, were builders. This section sorts them out, and adds details about Christian IV's relationships, as we cobble them together from various sites.

Frederick and Christian are in the line of Oldenborg kings. Christian became King at age 11, in 1588, and was crowned at age 19.

Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerod Denmark.  Frederiksborg Castle Lake.

1.  Frederiksborg is baroque and elegant, a place for state occasions, show, carriages on the cobbles, elegance. 

• Compare that to the earlier Kronborg nearby, more massive, its defense designs still apparent in fortifications, ramparts. Kronborg had been built by Christian's father, Frederick.  It was more functional than show-residential, and is on the Oresund waterway between Denmark and Sweden.  It started as a place to collect shipping fees and defend against Sweden (only 2.5 miles away across this narrowest part). It is massive, heavy-looking, deep mazes of tunnels beneath, royal apartments and galleries around its central and cavernous courtyard. Fire. 1629. 
• Christian IV's father, Frederick, used the earlier site and made it into magnificent castle, and it was destroyed except for outer walls. Enter son Christian IV and the rebuilding, see http://www.ses.dk/en/SlotteOgHaver/Slotte/Kronborg/KronborgsHistorie/Chr4Kronborg.aspx

2.  Christian IV was born at Frederiksborg in 1577 and lived there until he built and moved to Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen in 1610.  He lived at Frederiksborg with his first Queen, Anna Catherine of Brandenburg, and they had six legitimate children with her (the designation is specific at http://www.copenhagenet.dk/CPH-Frederiksborg-Castle.htm)

The first Queen, Anna Catherine, died in 1612.

Note that the King is to have moved before then, in 1610, to Rosenborg in Copenhagen (with his mistress Vibeka Kruse? built for her?).  Watch the dates.  The puzzles of people and overlaps have to be cobbled from different sites.

Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerod DK

3.  How to keep the castles straight.

The sites often overlap because reference to Christian IV, who did much building and restoring, will show them all.  A fine overview with photos and details and chronologies for Christian IV's work focuses on his Copenhagen castle, Rosenborg, but offers information as well for Frederiksborg, see http://www.copenhagenet.dk/cph-rosenborg.htm. 

• Details of his Rosenberg Castle at Copenhagen are useful as corroboration for what we found as to Frederiksborg:  It lays out clues of a lifestyle of opulence and indulgence as to Christian IV that is echoed elsewhere, and this in no way detracts from King Christian's many accomplishments militarily and as sovereign. At Rosenborg, for example, dinner banquets with 16-20 dishes, and 38 different courses, and wine and beer without limit, see copenhagenet.Frederiksborg is clearly a place of state, a royal residence, and was used as Christian's residence until he moved into Rosenborg at Copenhagen in 1610, according to Copenhagenet.

Dan Widing heads into Frederiksborg Castle, near Hillerod DK.

Did Christian IV ever live at old Kronborg? Perhaps not much? He did its extensive repairs after a disaster fire. See http://wictor.dk/wictor/frederiksborg/frbSlotGB.html

Potpourri of Castles

Rosenborg: 
Built by Christian IV, used as his residence after 1610, and he died here 1648. Buried with Queen Anna Cathrine of Brandenburg (first Queen) at Roskilde Cathedral

Kronborg:  built by Christian's father, King Frederick

Frederiksborg, near Kronborg: Christian was born here

Amalienborg:  Current royal residence, Copenhagen

4.  Life at Frederiksborg

Christian IV was fun-loving. Amorous themes at Frederiksborg are not subtle.  And they are indulgent.  One feast, it is said, began at 11 in the morning and lasted until late evening.  There were 35 toasts, all drunk well up, and more as well. They finally carried King Christian to bed while still in his chair. A scheduled envoy arrived for an appointment the next day. The King was indisposed, and they were told he was off hunting, and had been since dawn. See http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=507. The carriage access road is cobbled, with quarters for soldiers, retainers, other, flanking. It is a long walk from the parking area past the old fortifications, into the castle, and from there into the interior courtyard.

Renaissance luxury, Frederiksborg.

Carriageway, Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerod DK

The castle burned in 1859;  this tower and some other wings survived. See http://www.copenhagenet.dk/CPH-Frederiksborg-Castle.htm,

Carriage gateway, Frederiksborg Castle, Hillebrod, DK

Fun in the chambers. The alternatehistory site is not clear whether its accounts refer to life at Frederiksborg or where, but Frederiksborg makes sense. If we find later that these are Kronborg and not Frederiksborg, we will fix.  At this point, we believe from our own logs and the sequence of photos on the card that these are Frederiksborg. On the other hand, if Christian resided mostly at Rosenborg in Copenhagen after 1610, he would have wanted a recreational spot out of town, and would Kronborg provide the same elegance?

The photo at http://www.copenhagenet.dk/cph-rosenborg.htm shows this as Frederiksborg, so Frederiksborg it is. Scroll down for it.

See the hearts and flowers on the wrought iron gate top, whimsical little brass-toned figures in fake joust, and the number 4 for Christian IV inside the C and holding up the crown.

Wrought iron ornate gate, Christian IV, Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerod DK

The crown is particularly symbolic because a special one was made for Christian IV, gold and pearls, very heavy, now on display at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen. See http://dkks.dk/Christian-IV-s-crown

King Christian himself was a military man, however, and engaged in battles himself, even losing an eye to flying shards. http://www.copenhagenet.dk/cph-rosenborg.htm

Here he is, in the chambre a coucher,  dressed like a Roman, about to Conquest. Note the clusters of grapes, and hunting horns for the chase? The horns could refer to the 1639 discovery of the Golden Horn at Gallehus. http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=507

Christian IV of Denmark, Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerod, Denmark, gateway ornament, carriage entry to castle

Lots of little cupids, lots of little watchers.

Now we know what this little carriage entrance was for.

Carriage entry, Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerod DK

Or do we?

Back to Rosenborg in Copenhagen:  this site notes that the Queen had her quarters at the south end, and the King had his at the north.  We had thought that Christian built Rosenborg for Vibeka Kruse.  Was the Queen also in residence there?  When did the first Queen die? Scandinavian soaps.

Look closely at the details on the wood carvings of this clock, we think it is, and the bright paints. Midway down: the two profiles facing out, not handsome people at all -- homely, real folks.

More important: They even look pregnant. Who is that in the center, looking out?  Is that Vibeka Kruse, the King's Favorite?  See FN 1.  We see, however, that there were others.  He had 23 children and "numerous lovers," see http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=507

Now back to Kronborg:  are there themes here that suggest Christian IV's interests

Carved and gilt, pianted clock, Kronborg Castle, Helsingor Denmark

More figures looking pregnant.  Why, Kronborg, why? Is that why?  Note the lions -- a family name that meant Golden Lion was given to the King's off-road children. But these are blue lions
 

Detail, furnishing Kronborg Castle

More fun on the way out. 

Ducks in the waterway, Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerod, DK

Right this way, my little poppet. Don't let a bad camera color mechanism deter you, my dear. Down we go!  Whoop!

..........................................................................

FN 1  Vibeka Kruse.

The favorite mistress of Christian IV was a woman named Vibeka Kruse, a waiting-maid to the second wife of Christian IV,  Kirsten Munk. The first wife had been Anna Cathrin of Brandenburg. See http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=507  She also served Kirsten's mother, later, one Ellen Marsvin.

The King began his amorous affair with Vibeka in 1629 - the year of the big Kronborg other fire -- with the encouragement of the mother.  The King's relationship with Kirsten had soured.

Vibeka had a son with Christian IV, a boy named Ulrik Christian Gyldenlove. That name means Golden Lion, and is a family name -- all the children of the sheets were given that surname. And they have done well:  a noble lineage, with many accomplished personages.

Vibeka Kruse was influential, and the King gave her a Holstein estate, and a house in Copenhagen, a modest palace called Rosenborg.

But then the King died.

Queen Kirsten (she was still the queen?) had had a daughter who then married, and her son in law expelled Vibeka from Rosenborg, even though Vibeka was sick herself at the time.  She died a few months later, in 1648.  See http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/denmark_heads.htm

Kronborg Castle: Decorative Details, Tapestries, Story Carvings

Kronborg Decorates.
Up Close

The Artist, the Carver

The Personal

1. Tapestries, personalized.

Kronborg has a whole tapestry room.  Enjoy the Nativity, with the amazed cow, with headdress; and the donkey, with its tongue out, about to lick the baby?

Kronborg Castle tapestry detail, donkey with tongue out, Nativity

Joseph says, Wha?

Kronborg Castle Tapestry. Joseph looks stunned, Nativity

Joseph is none too handsome. These tapestry details would not show the detail unless highlighted with shadows, thus the change in shade to a cooler tone.  The original is more tawny.

Kronborg Castle tapestry, Nativity.  Mary knows what is going on

Some medieval tapestries show vehicles and lights in space, apparently. Next person to Kronborg: check the Tapestry room, after reviewing this site at http://ancientaliens.5u.com/photo2.html;  and please translate the wording.  We understand these were used as teaching tools not only the ladies doing their needlework year after year, but for anyone who came to the castle.

Read the history of tapestries and their uses at http://www.designerwalltapestries.com/History_of_Tapestries_s/96.htm: wall insulation, providing warmth; portable castle to castle; status.  The blue color would have come from woad, an expensive wood source from the South of France, in Cathar country. The numbers of colors were limited.

The Papal Crusade against the Cathars, the Albigensians in the South of France and the Pyrenees, extended 1000-1300+, perhaps at the same time as these tapestries were woven.  The teaching of doctrine would have been particularly important also because the Inquisition was commencing just as the Cathars and Alibigensians, believing in a gnostic or dual theology of Christianity, were being wiped out as heretic. See Timeline, Heresy Wars, Cathars 


2.  Carved stories on chests, wardrobes:

Carved compartmented storage chest, valuables, Kronborg Castle, Denmark

Rosettes are a favored design feature from the Middle East to Europe.  Do a search for rosette design history, and find a timeline of its use and meanings, from 196 BC in Egypt, to Mesopotamia, and see also http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6294273/Rosette_-design-

Carved chest, Kronborg Castle, Ladies as  Themes

Lock detail, storage chest, Kronborg Castle, DK

Humankind began Androgynous. Adam and Eve, both with breasts, Kronborg Castle, Helsingor, DK

The front of the chest shows two scenes from Eden, details of panels below. Note all the rosettes: one of the earliest decorative motifs in the world.  Egypt, Mesopotamia, follows human migrations.  Is it in Africa?

On the far right, the angel guarding the way to Eden (never come back no more) also is depicted as female, as the Bible says.

Apple as joint endeavor.  Creation and the Tempting Tree, Kronborg Castle, carved storage chest, Denmark

The panels represent Eve's arrival in her own right, and the temptation.  See panels below. Note, though, that the Tempter is not in the form of a snake. 

Question for theologians:  Is a deity all-powerful who cannot control the borders?  Joke.

A simple separating of two equals, Creation detail, Kronborg Castle storage chest, Denmark,  No rib.

There is no "removal" of a "rib" from a "male" and then a creation of a female out of it.  Instead, one entity sleeps, and half of it is separated out.  Right this way, dear.  Adm as Hermaphrodite.

Temptation detail, Creation, Kronborg Castle chest

Both beings are right there, as the Bible says.  Yet the buck got passed.  Adam condoned, participated, assumed the risk. Did he ever tell her which tree was meant as forbidden?  The deity didn't.  The deity relied on Adam to pass the word. There were lots of trees, and which is in the "center" of a huge Eden? Which is knowledge? Which is life? Help out here, says Eve.

How was she to know which was off limits. I can't even find my way to the soup aisle.

Adam and Eve both at the Tree, looking alike, Kronborg Castle DK

Detail, Expulsion from Eden, Kronborg Castle DK

Cain sneaks up on Abel, Kronborg Castle carved chest (Is Eve trying to intervene, plead?); and is that the killing?

Kronborg - Castle model, courtyard, furnishings

Kronborg Castle -Furnishings, Layout
And the Printing Press - An Example of turning Plays into Profit

Kronborg castle is just outside the town of Helsingor, known as Elsinore in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. The original castle was built in about 1490, to ease the collection of revenue from passing ships, and was renovated and expanded by King Frederik II as a Renaissance castle in 1574.  Kronborg Castle, furnishings. Details and pictures: see http://www.copenhagenet.dk/CPH-Kronborg.htm.

I.  The Kronborg Castle Exterior

Kronborg Castle: model of how the garrison grew, Helsingor, DK

Kronborg Castle, portion of model of layout

Fair use of a small portion of the model.

Renaissance renovations, Kronborg Castle, Helsingor Denmark

There is one main tall tower, distinguishing Kronborg from Frederiksborg, with its four tall towers. The TV show Ghost Hunters was at Kronborg in 2011, see http://www.masslive.com/television/index.ssf/2011/01/ghost_hunters_international_ta.html

That renovation included the fortifications and weapons and garrison facilities needed in case Sweden invaded. There is no evidence, we understand, that Shakespeare ever visited here. Apparently he liked the name Elsinore, it sounded somewhat like Kronborg, the location was dramatically suited, so he used it. The play plays at Kronborg in the summer of 2011, see http://www.denmark.dk/en/servicemenu/News/Culture-News/HamletIsComingHome.htm

II.  Furnishings

A.  Modern amenities

Printing press

Without a printing press, like this one from Kronborg Castle, would the plays have spread?  Not much. This was a mechanical way of reproducing books, tracts, anything written by hand before. Johannes Gutenberg invented the first one in 1440, see http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/printpress.htm

Printing press, Kronborg Castle, Helsingor DK

Wood-burning Stove

From large tiled ceramic wood-burning stoves, to the condensed metal stove, heating was greatly improved from the drafty huge fireplaces. Could the Dark Ages have ended without the North finally being cozy easier, able to spend time thinking, inventing, jawboning around the heater, see Wood Burning Stove as End of Dark Ages

Cast iron stove, Jamb Stove, Kronborg Castle, DK

This would have been a wood-burning stove. The little door is for removing ashes.  This looks like a 5-plate or jamb stove, and those were first made in Germany See http://www.antiquestoves.com/history.htm  Jamb stoves: invented in the early 16th Century, weighed 320-400 lbs, expensive. Not for regular people. http://www.hvva.org/hvvanews6-5.htm  (this site focuses on such stoves imported to and later made in America).

These stoves were often set in the wall, and fired by the fireplace in the next room, see http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/iadpenn/iadpenn-29109.html 

This style looks different from the sandcast pattern technique used in America, however, because the front panel looks cast in a smooth way, not the sand mold. See site.

The crown motif derives from the Coat of Arms Crown of Denmark, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:National_Coat_of_arms_of_Denmark.svg  What are the initials below: Elaborate C for Christian IV? F for Frederik? King Frederick II lived here after he expanded it in the mid-1500's. Christian was his son, heir, next king.

Jamb stove detail,Crowns and tassle, five plate stove,  Kronborg Castle, Helsingor DK

Later coal stoves are cylindrical in shape, with the hole at the top, covered by an iron removable ring. 

2.  Winners

Door category.

Winner, best door in Kronborg Contest, held by the Car-Dan Tour Company.

Best door in Kronborg Castle, Contest winner

Carving, paint and gilt category

Detail, costumes, figures, Kronborg Castle, Helsingor DKcc

Translation needed for the carved inscription.