Kalø Castle ( Danish : Kalø Slot ) is a ruined castle located in eastern Jutland , in Denmark , 20 km from the city of Aarhus within Mols Bjerge National Park .
51-696: The castle was constructed in 1313 by the Danish king Erik Menved (Erik VI) . It was one of at least four similar strongholds in Jutland , constructed to counter the ongoing rebellions of the Jutlandic nobility and peasantry against the Crown. The other strongholds were Borgvold in Viborg , Bygholm in Horsens and Ulstrup, east of Struer . All were built by local peasants forced labour, with
102-577: A Scandinavian great power. Through alliances with German princes, among them the Duke of Mecklenburg he managed to become the formal lord of several Hanseatic cities which meant fighting Brandenburg and some other minor states. He also intervened in Sweden in order to support his brother-in-law against the opposition in 1305 and again in 1307–1309 while fighting in Germany at the same time, hiring German troops to turn
153-400: A grenade. That German soldier was most likely the only German casualty of the battle. There was a single Danish casualty during the battle at Nyborg Vandrehjem: Recruit Ivan Jacobsen. In 1977 market towns were dissolved, and Nyborg lost its title. Nyborg Municipality was established, with Nyborg being the seat of the new municipality. It was formed of the city and parish of Nyborg, as well as
204-538: A large project to renovate and expand the museum was begun, with plans to finish in 2023. The fortifications, ramparts and moats surrounding Nyborg Castle stretch out along the center of the city. The moats appear as they did in the Middle Ages, with the same water regulation systems still in use. Three of the original bulwarks still exist, with the remaining having been torn down during city expansions. Two of those bulwarks are located around Nyborg Castle, and are known as
255-403: A last blow to Danish pride, Henry II, Lord of Mecklenburg captured the Danish fortress at Rostock . When Erik died in 1319 having survived all his 14 children; Denmark was bankrupt. He was succeeded by his younger brother Christopher (1276–1332) who ruled Denmark as King Christopher II between 1320 and 1326. Traditionally the rule of Eric VI has been regarded one of the few bright spots of
306-477: A one-day trial, the jury found all the accused guilty. The properties and incomes of the condemned were declared forfeit and they were exiled from Denmark on pain of death. Even the pope became involved when he excommunicated those who had been judged guilty. The verdict was questionable on several counts. None of the accused could be proven to be in the immediate vicinity when the king was stabbed to death. The accused were not allowed to swear their innocence before
357-447: A park area. Nyborg Church (also known as Church of Our Lady. Danish: Vor Frue Kirke ) is located in the center of Nyborg, and was built in 1375–1428. It was renovated in the 1970s and again in 2005. The church has two organs, from 1973 by Poul-Gerhard Andersen and 1830 by P.U.F. Demant. The crucifix is the only piece of inventory from the church's opening in 1428. It is decorated with biblical depictions. Maja Lisa Engelhardt created
408-489: Is King of Denmark so long as it is neither Erik nor his brother Christopher," he said. Bishop Jens gave a piece of church land at Hundehals to the exiles to build a fortress and entertained them at his table in public. The king could not tolerate this and ordered Bishop Jens' arrest in 1294. The archbishop was sent to Duke Christopher in chains to be close confined in Søborg's "dark tower". After some months in terrible conditions,
459-538: Is a city in central Denmark , located in Nyborg Municipality on the island of Funen and with a population of 17,902 (2024). It is the easternmost settlement on Funen. By road, it is located 34 km east of Odense , 35 km north of Svendborg and 21 km south of Kerteminde . It also connects to Korsør through the Great Belt Bridge . Nyborg is the seat of Nyborg Municipality, and until 1793 it
510-410: Is part of some acclaimed Danish novels: Eric VI of Denmark Eric VI Menved (1274 – 13 November 1319) was King of Denmark (1286–1319). A son of King Eric V and Agnes of Brandenburg , he became king in 1286 at age 12, when his father was murdered on 22 November by unknown assailants. On account of his age, his mother ruled for him until 1294. Eric Menved's rule was a central period during
561-453: Is surrounded by fortifications, the 'castle lake' and a moat that run along the center of the city. The castle if first mentioned in 1193, when Canute VI held a meeting in it. Before then, the king were housed in Hjulby, outside Nyborg, and the castle was established in that period. A curtain wall was built, and there has likely been several wooden buildings within the walls. In the first half of
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#1733084653830612-465: Is that it derives from the elder Danish “ menvett ” (Eng.: bird of ill omen). Married in June 1296 to Ingeborg Magnusdotter of Sweden . She was the daughter of King Magnus III of Sweden and sister of Birger, King of Sweden . The couple had eight sons who died as children, as well as six miscarriages, although the sources differ between eight and fourteen children: her many pregnancies led to miscarriages, or
663-522: The Counts of Holstein in 1386. The first Constitution of Denmark was written on Nyborg Castle by Eric V in 1282. Being the seat of these meetings, Nyborg enjoyed a number of unique and special privileges, granted by the king. The first was granted by king Valdemar II , who granted the town the status of a market town (Danish: Købstad ) shortly after the town was founded. Merchants from neighboring hundreds had to come to Nyborg to sell their wares, boosting
714-519: The Dano-Swedish War , following the Battle of Nyborg . The Swedish troops sent all valuables home to Sweden and ruined much of Nyborg Castle. The city was retaken by an allied force of Danes, Brandenburgers, Polish mercenary cavalry and Dutchmen after a bombardment by a large Dutch naval fleet led by the famous Dutch Admiral Michiel DeRuyter, who was key in the negotiations and Swedes capitulation. The city
765-556: The "Age of Decay" in Denmark 1241–1340. His early reign – during which he was led by his mother and her German relatives – was affected by the unrest and wars that followed the murder of his father. The first act of the new government was to settle the case of the former king's murder at a court convened at Nyborg at Whitsun 1287. Twenty-seven honorable men were appointed to decide the case. Marshal Stig Andersen Hvide and Jacob Nielsen, Count of Halland and seven others were accused. After
816-463: The 1200s, a building was constructed in two floors, much of which still remain today. The king likely held his meetings in the upper floor of this construction. During the 1300s and 1400s, the castle was improve upon, with a new floor and several new buildings. In 1282, Eric V completed the constitution of Denmark in Nyborg Castle. In 1287, Eric V's alleged murderers were sentenced on the castle. In
867-486: The 1520s, Frederick I planned to make Nyborg his official residence, but that never happened. Signs of his plans were obvious, however, with major projects on the castle planned. After the Dano-Swedish War, where the castle was captured and later turned into an armory, the importance of the castle fell. The garrison was disestablished in 1913. The castle was turned into a museum, which it has been since then. In 2017,
918-546: The 1800s (decade), and the restoration process was initiated in the year 1903, led by architect C. M. Smidt from the National Museum of Denmark . A memorial stone with his name has been placed next to the riding ground. The restoration proceeded through World War II , when the German marines used Kalø as a target for gunboat shooting practice. Fortunately, the ruins were only slightly damaged. Today, Kalø and Kalø Slot are owned by
969-537: The 500s, and used throughout the Viking age until Nyborg was founded and took over its role. Nyborg was first mentioned in 1193 in the history of Denmark as Nyborg Castle , which still exists today, but the town itself was not mentioned before the year 1202. From its foundation and until 1413, Nyborg Castle was used by numerous kings as seat of the Danehof and other meetings, including a meeting between Queen Margaret I and
1020-605: The Danish State and are protected. In 2009 the area was incorporated into the Mols Bjerge National Park . The peninsula with the castle ruin is named 'Kalø' - 'Kal' has hitherto been written as 'Kalf' and is probably an older version of the modern Danish word 'Kalv' meaning calf , and 'ø' - meaning, island, in Danish . It is unclear if the island was named calf-island , because peasants used to send their cattle there, or if
1071-602: The Danish king. He gave Andersen the fortress of Kongshelle near the border with Denmark. Andersen became a pirate who harried the coast of Denmark for years. The exiles managed to build forts on Samsø, Hjelm, Sprogø, and Helgenæs. No ship was safe and no coastal town immune from Stig Andersen Hvide. The high point of his depredations occurred in 1289 when he landed with a small Norwegian army at Stubbekøbing on Falster . Wizlau II of Rűgen, Denmark's regent, used his Wendish fleet to drive Andersen back to Norway. Andersen's activities sparked four decades of conflict and warfare between
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#17330846538301122-588: The Great Belt, with steamboat ferries starting to sail between Nyborg and Korsør in 1828. Several large markets were also held yearly, and the trade and economy of the town began to grow again. In the Second World War , Nyborg's garrison still existed. Denmark was allowed to keep their military after the Nazi occupation . Nyborg Vandrehjem and Hotel Nyborg Strand housed Danish soldiers. On 29 August 1943 Operation Safari
1173-472: The Holy See. The pope immediately excommunicated the king and put all of Denmark under interdict until the kingdom paid Archbishop Jens Grand 49,000 silver marks. Denmark could not or would not raise such a sum and languished under interdict for four years. In 1302 King Erik wrote to the pope asking for mercy for himself and the kingdom which had been without any of the sacraments for years. Promising to do whatever
1224-450: The Nordic kingdoms. At the same time an ecclesiastical conflict appeared because of the ambitious new Archbishop of Lund Jens Grand who supported the outlaws, his kinsmen, despite his oath to support the king. Once his selection was confirmed by the pope, Bishop Jens reneged on his oath of allegiance. "It doesn't matter to me whether Duke Valdemar, a Jew, a Turk, a pagan, or the devil himself
1275-538: The Queen's Bulwark (Danish: Dronningens Bastion) and the Crown Prince's Bulwark (Danish: Kronprinsens Bastion) . Those are surrounded by the original ramparts, which today act as park areas. On the Queen's Bulwark is a water tower from 1899, built by Emil Swanenflügel. The water tower was protected in 1997. The third bulwark is called Prince Carl's Bulwark (Danish: Prins Carls Bastion) , and is slightly smaller. It also acts as
1326-578: The Swedish occupation during the wars between Sweden and Denmark in the years 1643 to 1645. In 1662, Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, Count of Laurvig , decided to tear down the abandoned ruin when he received it from his father, Frederick III. The useful materials were used to build his private palace in Copenhagen , now called the Charlottenborg Palace . Kalø and Kalø Slot were declared protected as early as
1377-448: The altar crucifix, of gilded bronze, in 2011. Maja Lisa Engelhardt also created a mosaic for the church in 2015. The largest of the church's chandeliers was donated in 1640 by the mayor's widow, Sidsel Knudsdatter. The other chandelier was donated by mayor Mads Lerke in 1589. The renaissance baptismal font was donated to the church in 1585 by mayor Peder Jensen Skriver. The other baptismal font is Romanesque style in granite, from 1100. Inside
1428-522: The birth of children who died soon after. Evidence also indicate Eric VI may have had an illegitimate son,or possibly a son of Ingeborg later in life named Erik Sjællandsfar (ca. 1300–1364) at Orebygård on Zealand , buried in Roskilde Cathedral with a crown. However, other theories indicate that he was a son of King Valdemar IV of Denmark . [REDACTED] Media related to Eric VI of Denmark at Wikimedia Commons Nyborg Nyborg
1479-479: The castle being the seat of the Danehof, Nyborg was given many additional privileges over the years. In 1525 Frederick I declared Nyborg as the king's residency, and until the 1560s it acted as the capital of Denmark. During this time, Christian III expanded Nyborg Castle and city. Much of the castle was rebuilt and a tournament ground was built in front of the castle. The city was captured by Swedish troops during
1530-646: The church is a gate from 1649, built by Christian IV's smith, Caspar Fincke. The pulpit is from 1653, made by Anders Mortensen in Odense. The pulpit's staircase is even older. The church has a set of wooden figures of John the Apostle and Jeremiah . Like the pulpit, they were also carved by Anders Mortensen. A candle globe, made by local artisan Flemming Knudsen, was added to the church in 2008. The church's turret clock , nicknamed "the Syrian tank" (Danish: Den syriske kampvogn )
1581-435: The court or have other honorable men swear as to their innocence, a right granted to them by law. Despite the unclear circumstances surrounding Eric V's death, the jury only took one day to arrive at a guilty verdict. The accused had all belonged to Erik V's inner circle; it is uncertain what they were supposed to gain by the king's death. For these reasons historians Erik Arup (1876–1951) and Hugo Yrwing (1908–2002) labelled
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1632-438: The economy and traffic in the town. In 1446, a large number of additional privileges were added, including the outlawing of harbours between the market towns on eastern Funen. Nyborg was also given permission to host a yearly market, and artisans from Vindinge Hundred were told to move to the market towns, boosting the population and economy of Nyborg once more. With the king visiting regularly, due to Nyborg's central location and
1683-442: The goal of breaking their rebellious spirits. Kalø Slot was raised on the small island of Kalø, connected to the mainland by a 500 m long artificial embankment, rising 1,2 m above sea level. The embankment was cobbled; deep moats were dug and earth mounds heaped around the fortress. A port of call , outer ringwalls and other fortifications were all built by hand. This was a colossal task in the early 14th century. The castle of Kalø
1734-434: The king sent a messenger to Bishop Jens to see if he would swear allegiance again and promise to seek no revenge for his captivity. "Rather than bend to his will, I would rather that the king sliced me apart joint by joint than submit to his commands," the bishop replied. After two years in awful conditions, Bishop Jens managed to escape with the help of a kitchen servant. Bishop Jens fled directly to Rome to lay his case before
1785-466: The local administrative center and state prison. King Christian II held the future Swedish king Gustav Vasa captive at Kalø during 1518-1519, until he escaped and fled to Lübeck , disguised as a common peasant. When King Frederick III converted the elective monarchy into an absolute monarchy in the revolution of 1660 in Denmark , Kalø Slot lost its function. The buildings had fallen into decay under
1836-417: The murder might well have its origin in the dynastic struggle for the throne of Denmark. There were others who thought they had equal or better claim to the throne than Eric V, such as Norway 's king, Eirik Magnusson and his brother and successor Haakon V who were grandsons of Eric IV of Denmark . Andersen and the others fled to Norway where they were welcomed by King Eirik who gladly supported enemies of
1887-546: The period because of his attempt to recover Denmark's far-flung empire. He has been hailed in Danish romantic literature . Viewed today, however, his policies began the dissolution of the Danish empire in the Baltic and northern Europe that followed during the next generation. The nickname of King Eric has been much discussed. A popular explanation is that it is an abbreviation of his alleged favourite oath (“ ved alle hellige mænd ” – Eng.: by all holy men ). Another explanation
1938-536: The pope said, King Erik humbled himself in public. Pope Boniface VIII – negotiated by Martin (Morten Mogensen) of Dacia – agreed to reduce the fine by 80%, interdict and excommunication were lifted and Archbishop Jens accepted another papal assignment which kept him out of King Erik's hair. Erik had a great love of tournaments, and money poured out of the treasury for his entertainments. At one knightly tournament at Rostock , wine, mead, and beer "flowed" for an entire month for any who wished to drink. The king paid for
1989-434: The rebellion with mercenary troops from Germany, ravaging as far north as Randers . The king began a round of fortress building with peasant slave labor, one of the penalties imposed for rebellion. The nobles involved were exiled or executed and their property taken by the crown. Four such strongholds were constructed; Bygholm in Horsens , Kalø north of Aarhus , Borgvold in Viborg and Ulstrup east of Struer . Niels Brok
2040-413: The small island was poetically perceived as a calf lying next to the mainland, representing the cow. This later use of the word calf has been quite common in Denmark and was often applied when a smaller island was placed next to a larger one. The island is a natural formation. In Lillebælt between Jutland and Fyn a small island is likewise called, Fænø Kalv - calf of the bigger island, Fænø . Kalø slot
2091-514: The tide in his favor. In 1312 famine struck Denmark and when the king demanded the same taxes as before, the peasants on Zealand rebelled. Erik put down the rebellion fiercely, hanging hundreds of peasants outside Copenhagen. The very next year at the Viborg Assembly (Danish: landsting ) the peasant and nobles declared open rebellion against the king. Those who refused to aid the rebels were hanged from their own house beams. Erik put down
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2142-414: The two parish municipalities of Avnslev-Bovense and Vindinge. In the 2007 municipal reform , the three municipalities of Nyborg, Ørbæk and Ullerslev were merged to form the present Nyborg Municipality. From 1850–1919 the mayors of Nyborg were chosen by the king. Since 1919 the mayor has been elected. Below are all Nyborg's mayors since 1850. Nyborg Castle is located near the center of Nyborg city, and
2193-451: The upkeep of all the horses and livestock at the tournament including a mountain of oats for any and all. He crafted new and unusual taxes to squeeze peasants and nobles alike. When the tax money didn't cover his expenses, the king borrowed money heavily from various German nobles, going so far as to mortgage pieces of Denmark to them. Erik sent several expeditions to Germany to win new territories in an attempt to recover Denmark's position as
2244-477: The verdict as a miscarriage of justice . They consider the murder a result of a power struggle between two noble factions, one led by Marsk Stig and one led by Valdemar, Duke of South Jutland . Duke Valdemar had fallen from grace in 1283, but quickly rose in influence after 1288. They suggest that Valdemar and his allies conspired to kill the king and then to successfully cast suspicion on their rivals at court. Another historian, Kai Hørby (1935–1993) pointed out that
2295-456: Was also the seat of Nyborg County. The city was founded in the 1200s, built up around Nyborg Castle . The castle holds a central place in Nyborg geographically, historically and culturally. Nyborg was first mentioned in 1193 as 'Nyburg', which translates to 'new castle' in Danish. Before Nyborg was founded, a fortification existed in the area under the name of Gammelborg . It was established in
2346-408: Was carried out, with the intention of disarming the Danish military. Battles occurred between the Danish and German soldiers on both Nyborg Vandrehjem and Hotel Nyborg Strand. Two Danish soldiers were killed at Hotel Nyborg Strand: Cornet K.B. Madsen and Captain C.L. Wesenberg. The captain was killed by a German soldier, who also killed himself at the same time by accidentally blowing up them both with
2397-573: Was executed for hiding Rane Jonsen (1254–1294) who had aided those who murdered Erik's father at Finderup. In 1313 King Erik surrendered all crown property in southern Jutland to the Duke for cash. From 1315 to 1317 the crops failed yet again . There was nothing left to tax. The treasury was empty. In 1317 Erik mortgaged all of the island of Funen to Gerhard III, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg and John II, Count of Holstein-Kiel for 200 mounted knights. Before he died, Erik also mortgaged Skåne to German nobles for money to continue his extravagances. As
2448-409: Was no longer interested in living in the castle, and it was handed over to the military. Nyborg became an army garrison, with the castle then being used strictly for military purposes. After the wars and several fires and livestock plagues, the 1700s were a low period in Nyborg's history, with the population growing poorer. Things turned around in the 1800s where Nyborg became and important link across
2499-480: Was replaced by an electric movement in 1972. The original mechanical movement was built by Henrik Kyhl from Copenhagen, and initially created for Viborg Cathedral , who couldn't afford it. It was instead bought by Nyborg Church. In 2002 it was donated to Post- og Telemuseet in Copenhagen. Nyborg is served by Nyborg railway station which is served by the passenger rail services between Copenhagen and Jutland . It
2550-472: Was successful in its original purpose, but already in 1320 the new king Christoffer II , was forced by the Danish nobility in a coronation charter to tear it down, along with most of the Crown's fortresses in Jutland. It is not clear how much of the castle was actually torn down, but the Crown definitely lost its grip on Kalø and it was mortgaged. From the 15th century and onwards, Kalø had a more peaceful role, as
2601-449: Was then looted by the allied forces with DeRuyter giving strict orders prohibiting Dutch forces (who made up a third of the allied army) not to participate. DuRuyter noted in his log that the Poles were allowed to take the captured Danish wives and daughters of Nyborg as part of the plundered booty, to his utter disgust – but there was nothing he could do to prevent it. Following the war, the king
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