Manor Tales

All manors have great stories and mysterious myths. They may be haunted by former residents who passed away in an unlucky way, suffered an accident, or even were deceived. We have uncovered several stories for you that has taken place at the manors over time. They give a surprising insight into the daily life, that was lived in the fine halls a hundred years ago.

Broholm

Broholm

Broholm Unlucky in love at Broholm Elisabeth Skeel, the lady of the estate, simply would not accept the shame a pregnant, unmarried daughter would bring. Her daughter was keen to marry the father of her child – but it was not to be.  In 1745, 22-year-old Anna Beate...

Broløkke

Broløkke

BroløkkeCount helped mistress acquire a couple of estates A pastor’s wife from Langeland climbed quickly up the social ladder by remaining extremely close friends with the local count.  In 1732, a new pastor – Dines Christian Krag – arrived in the town of Tranekær on...

Dallund

Dallund

Dallund  Eight blows: Eccentric aristocrat helped the peasant farmers Estate owner Carl Frederik Blixen Finecke was full of unexpected ideas, and friends with the leading figures in Europe. And he was good to his peasant farmers as well.  In 1829, at the tender age of...

Glorup

Glorup

Glorup Glorup Estate was a sanctuary for Hans Christian Andersen The great Danish author visited many of the castles and manor houses in Denmark, but Glorup on East Fyn was the one he returned to time and time again. He drew energy from the peace and quiet, and was...

Gyldensteen

Gyldensteen

GyldensteenGood times and bad at Gyldensteen Lady Luck was capricious with the lords of the manor. Meet Birgitte Gøye’s frustrated fiancé, who had to wait 30 years for a wife. And at the other end of the scale of happiness: the son of a French widow who always came...

Hagenskov

Hagenskov

Hagenskov Humiliation, witchcraft and the joy of children – three notable fates from Hagenskov Hagenskov Manor is home to a host of fascinating stories and remarkable fates. A ridiculed archbishop, a witch-hunter with postnatal depression and a birthing machine by the...

Harridslevgaard

Harridslevgaard

HarridslevgaardThe evil bailiff of Harridslevgaard While Harridslevgaard Estate enjoyed great success, the bailiff terrorised the lives of his farmers by using them as breeding stock, forcing them into marriages, and then rising from the grave – or so the story goes. ...

Hindsgavl

Hindsgavl

Hindsgavl Hindsgavl Manor has been overrun by soldiers time and time again Its strategic location close to the Little Belt has made Hindsgavl Manor something of a magnet for foreign forces. Find out more about three noteworthy sieges of the castle.  The Swedes  An icy...

Hofmansgave

Hofmansgave

HofmansgaveOverlooked female scientist conducted research at Hofmansgave In the 1800s, Hofmansgave was something of a powerhouse for research into plants, and it was here that botanist Caroline Rosenberg saw her talent blossom.  In the mid-1800s, it was common to see...

Holckenhavn

Holckenhavn

HolckenhavnDenmark’s greatest ever traitor found Fyn a bore Two of the most infamous figures in Danish history lived for a short time at Holckenhavn Castle. However, the peaceful life of estate owners was not at all to the liking of the treacherous couple.  The local...

Hvedholm

Hvedholm

Hvedholm Ten dramatic highlights from the history of Hvedholm For five centuries, Hvedholm Manor passed from one generation of the family to the next until a new law spelled ruin for the owners. Join us in exploring the crazy history of the estate and, in particular,...

Hvidkilde

Hvidkilde

HvidkildeThe resistance fighter from Hvidkilde On the eve of his execution, a young count from South Fyn writes a letter of farewell to his parents. The 28-year-old resistance fighter’s final thoughts are of his parents’ grief and of Hvidkilde, his childhood home.  On...

Holstenhuus

Holstenhuus

HolstenhuusAgricultural pioneer at Holstenshuus The Baron of Holstenshuus was one of the first landowners in Denmark to attempt to encourage his peasant farmers to drop the communal system of farming and move out onto separate farms. But the farmers refused to give in...

Jerstrup

Jerstrup

JerstrupTwo kings examine the sex life of the lords of the manor Two generations apart, rumours circulate that the lords of the manor cannot keep their hands off their sisters-in-law.  A particularly juicy indictment is discreetly nailed to the gates of Odense Castle...

Søndergaarde

Søndergaarde

SøndergaardeThe mad lord of Søndergaarde Some people are so utterly insane that people still shudder at the mere mention of their name generations later. Eiler Brockenhuus was an incestuous, murderous rapist – and often went way too far with his practical jokes.  It...

Scheelenborg

Scheelenborg

ScheelenborgLord High Constable Stig Andersen Hvide was stripped of Scheelenborg for the murder of Erik Klipping Stig Andersen Hvide was not personally present when he was convicted of regicide, for which his punishment was to be outlawed and have his estate...

Ulriksholm

Ulriksholm

Ulriksholm Frederik V’s mistress repeatedly gave birth in secret at Ulriksholm The castle is named after one of King Christian IV’s bastard sons. A century later, the mistress of another king is also sent to the estate to give birth.  Opposite Ulriksholm Castle stands...

Risinge

Risinge

RisingeThe resistance fighter from Risinge At the end of the Second World War, leading members of the nobility were censured for having sided with the Nazi occupiers. But that is not the full story; many members of the Danish upper class were active members of the...

Kærsgaard

Kærsgaard

KærsgaardThe Devil visits Kærsgaard Having offended the Lord our God by burying her dog in the hallowed ground of the churchyard, estate owner Anna Trolle finds herself cursed.    Around Christmas in 1723, the local priest is busy making the sign of the cross in...

Steensgaard

Steensgaard

SteensgaardThe war hero from Steensgaard Tall and short, shoulder to shoulder, the Danish troops resolutely defend Langeland against the Swedish invaders. Vincents Steensen, the 66-year-old estate owner lays down his life for Langeland.  On the night of 6 February...

Østruplund

Østruplund

ØstruplundAgricultural pioneer at Holstenshuus The Baron of Holstenshuus was one of the first landowners in Denmark to attempt to encourage his peasant farmers to drop the communal system of farming and move out onto separate farms. But the farmers refused to give in...

Skjoldemose

Skjoldemose

SkjoldemoseRelieved noblewoman avoided marriage to Frederik II The heir to the throne had fallen for a young noblewoman from Fyn and, contrary to tradition, was determined to make her his queen. After a 13-year love affair, the king’s aunt resolved the situation – to...

Krengerup

Krengerup

Krengerup Housewives worked hard all year round to put clothes on their families’ backs Mediaeval archaeologists have found woven linen cloth that has been extremely well cared for and reused. In the past, people took care of their possessions. In fact, they put a...

Lundsgaard

Lundsgaard

LundsgaardTake a closer look at Agnes Henningsen’s dramatic life as a young girl At the tender age of six, the author Agnes Henningsen moved into the estate manager’s residence at Lundsgaard. Her mother had just died and her father was gradually losing his battle with...

Nyborg Castle

Nyborg Castle

Nyborg CastleDenmark’s first consti-tution was adopted at Nyborg Castle In the Middle Ages, the country’s most important decisions were taken at Nyborg Castle. Once a year, the most prominent men in the realm met at the danehof to decide court cases, adopt laws and...

Odense Castle

Odense Castle

Odense CastleAt the age of 38, Frederik VII enjoyed the happiest month of his life in Odense Crown Prince Frederik wanted to keep his commoner sweetheart close to him. In Odense, they could finally be together – and the Crown Prince had never been happier.  Louise...

Skovsgaard

Skovsgaard

SkovsgaardEight surprising facts about Skovsgaard Manor Located in the south of Langeland, Skovsgaard is a potpourri of stories that neatly illustrate the rich, multifaceted history of Danish manor houses; tales of wars, ghosts, busybody peasant farmers and eccentric...

Søbygaard

Søbygaard

SøbygaardComplex inheritance rules spelled chaos for Ærø Random chance shaped the fate of Ærø, which initially became its own little duchy before being split into four; resulting in absolute chaos.  Back in the 1600s, Ærø enjoyed 11 good years as its own little duchy....

Tranekær

Tranekær

TranekærThe Ahlefeldts came into possession of Tranekær Castle through an abduction The current owners of Tranekær Castle are the 13th generation of the same family. The path to ownership of the castle involved the richest heiress in the country at that time – and a...

Hverringe gods

Hverringe gods

HverringEEstateBeautiful woodland and a headless coachmanChristian IV abducts the Crown Prince’s lady friend   Christian IV needs a scapegoat for his son’s incompetence, and the lady of Hverringe fits the bill. This quickly leads to abduction, imprisonment, and a...