Recent Posts

Roskilde Domkirke. Part 2: Leaving a Legacy

Roskilde Domkirke. Part 2: Leaving a Legacy

  • Post author:
  • Post published:
  • Post category:Culture

Wilhelm Marstrand’s portrait of Christian IV at the Trinity from ca. 1864.

Roskilde Domkirke. Part 2: Leaving a Legacy

Aside from being fascinated with soaring vaults and beautiful Sarcophagi, my curiosity about how the previous kings and queens of Denmark lived. Their deaths are either known, came as a surprise or can we define it as “fate”? One thing is certain – they left a legacy. Each of them had a royal motto (valgsprog in Danish). 

What would you do if you were given the chance to design your own sepuchral monument? You may be an artist who wishes to make a remarkable remembrance of you when you have to leave this world.

This beautiful piece of art is has been created by the artist, Bjørn Nørgaard (born 1947), in collaboration with the royal couple. It will remain covered until after the monarch is laid to rest. The current Her Majesty Queen Margrethe the 2nd has a motto “Guds hjælp, Folkets kærlighed, Danmarks styrke”. – God’s help, The People’s love, Denmark’s strength.

The monument is covered. It can be used as a bench, so one can sit and ponder at Birgitta’s chapel.

A view from the top where the Sarcophagi1 of Margrete 1., Duke Christopher of Lolland Margrete 1. older brother), Christian 5. and Frederik 4. can be seen.

Christian 5. He was fond of riding and hunting. He ruled after the reformation. His humbleness made the people loved him.

The two women figures on this sarcophagus named Pietas (piety) and Justitia (justice) characterized his journey, making him one of the most popular kings in the autocracy’s line of kings.

Photo credits: Danmarks Historien

Harald’s Stone2. It tells a story when the country was transitioning from a tribal society to a Christian Kingdom. Harald writes that he is the king of the land and made the Danes Christian. Denmark’s birth certificate

Dating back to the 1080’s, when the church was first built, right even before they discovered the bricks in the 1100’s, there was a myth that King Harald Blåtands (Harald Bluetooths)3 grave was buried in the church in his death about 988, though there are no other sources or archaeological evidence to support this claim.

He was known as the ancestor of the Royal family. He was the king who united the kingdom and the Christian Danes.

Kultur ministeriet

This is considered the 2nd phase, approximately 960-990.

Denmark’s name appears for the first time. The stone was placed in about year 950 by “Gorm den Gamle” Gorm the Old in memory of his wife Thyra.

Every details inside the church reveals the belief and traditions associated with being either a christian or the other4.

The Baptismal Font is from 1602 and it replaced a medieval font.

This is the Part 2 of my video inside Roskilde Domkirke
(more…)

Continue ReadingRoskilde Domkirke. Part 2: Leaving a Legacy
Roskilde Cathedral and the Royal Tombs

Roskilde Cathedral and the Royal Tombs

  • Post author:
  • Post published:
  • Post category:Culture

Part 1. Sarcophagi, Effigies and Gravestones

This article is under the subject “culture”. Learning about history allows us to understand how moral standards evolved and how traditions were put into practice.

“We only live once”. This is what every wise man would say. But we can only do much in our lifetime. To be able to do the things we enjoy and holding on to the values we believe are important is already a fulfillment. 

the pulpit
The Organ a.ka. Raphaëlis Organ

My fascination with art and history has led me to the discovery of the beautifully designed coffins and tombs inside a Christian church in Roskilde. One of the things that I find very interesting aside from the beautiful architecture using bricks and marble are a few stories behind every leadership of the kings and queens. I have gathered some of the most important information about both the cathedral and the life of kings and queens.

Click to download Roskilde Cathedral’s leaflets (available in english and danish)
The King’s Door (Only the royalties can pass through it)

Forty kings and queens are thought to rest here – 37 graves are known with certainty. Altogether, there are more than 1000 graves in the church.” 

Guide to Roskilde Cathedral

Margrete 1. founded the Kalmar Union between Denmark, Norway and Sweden

  • 1376-1412 Denmark
  • 1380-1412 Norway
  • 1389-1412 Sweden

Kalmar Union

A Royal Union between the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden from 1397 – 1523. Erik of Pomerania was crowned king of three kingdoms

DH
Ecclesiastical figures & biblical scenes
Margrete 1. Born 1353 – 1412
Youngest daughter of Valdemar Atterdag & Queen Helvig

Quote. “Roskilde Cathedral is Denmark’s royal burial church, architecture of international class and an active parish church. The Cathedral has been selected by UNESCO as a site of outstanding universal value. Here are soaring vaults and a majestic atmosphere. According to the chronicle from the 1000s, King Harold Bluetooth built a wooden church in Roskilde. In 1022, Roskilde received its first bishop. About 1080, a new church was built in travertine where the present brick church now stands.” Quote. – Guide to Roskilde Cathedral

The portrait of Margrete 1.

It unfortunately lacks some description details. Therefore, it “may not” be the same face features as she was in real life.

-Photo (portrait) from the archives of The Royal Danish Library

Margrete 1. was the youngest daughter of Valdemar and Helvig, who exercised governmental power in Denmark, Norway and Sweden from 1376 – 1412. Her brother Christopher was supposed to reign, but died early at the age of 22. Since his death, the subsequent should take over.

Source: Danmarks historien

I PRODUCED A VIDEO FOR YOU TO SEE THE BEAUTIFUL CHURCH. -Sheree
(more…)

Continue ReadingRoskilde Cathedral and the Royal Tombs
Newer Posts
Older Posts