The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgCastle historyInterior and objects21 The Knights' Hall
2. sal

21 The Knights’ Hall

ROOM 21: The hall, which was the last room to be furnished, was completed in 1624. It was originally intended and used as a ballroom. Around 1700 its functions had changed and was mostly used for audiences and banquets. The name “The Knights’ Hall” was attached during Romanticism.

Christian V had the hall partly modernised with twelve tapestries showing the King’s victories in the Scanian War, 1675-1679. The tapestries were later moved to Christiansborg Palace, but were returned in 1999. The present stucco ceiling is from the beginning of the 18th century, showing the Danish coat of arms surrounded by the Orders of the Elephant and of the Dannebrog. The side reliefs depict historical events from the first years of the reign of Frederik IV: the liberation of the serfs, the creation of the dragoons and of the land militia among them. The four large paintings by Hendrick Krock in the ceiling, represents the four Regalia: the crown, the orb, the sword and lastly the scepter.

Among the main attractions of Rosenborg are the coronation chairs, intended for the King and Queen, and used at the coronations of all absolutist kings, guarded by the three silver lions. The Knights’ Hall also contains a large collection of silver furniture, of which most is from the 17th century.

Room 22 ->

Objects in this room
2100-2109
2101. The coronation chair of the Danish kings, made of narwhal tusks by Bendix Grodtschilling 1662 1671: the gilt figures were made by J. Kohlmann and added in Christian V’s time. Used at coronations from 1671-1840.
2102. The silver coronation chair of the Danish queens; made for Queen Sophie Magdalene by Niels Jonsen of Copenhagen in 1731.
2103. Velvet canopy. Reconstruction with gold tassels and fringes from two portable canopies, used in connection with the anointing ceremonies in the 18th century.
2104. Three lions of chased silver, made l665 1670 in Copenhagen by Ferdinand Küblich. Used on solemn occasions right up to the present time as guards around the throne and the Royal catafalque.
2107. Fountain for washing the hands, of ebony and silver, with figures depicting the myth of Diana and Acteon. In the drawers, toiletries. The fountain was made by Hans III Peters in Augsburg c. 1648, the toiletries by Daniel Zech. Bought by Frederik III 1649.
2108. Table, the top of which bears a map of Denmark, inlaid in plaster of Paris stucco (scagliola), signed: I. Franciscus Bruno Napolitanus fecit. Copenhagen 1667-1671.
2109. Two large silver cups with the celestial sphere and the earthly globe, supported, respectively, by Atlas and a Triton and with Mars and Juno on the top. Hamburg work c. 1650 by Peter Ohr (I).
2110-2117
2111. Silver baptismal font, partly gilt. At the bottom there is a relief representing the baptism of Christ. Since 1671 used at the baptism of all the Royal princes and princesses. Hamburg work, made by Christian Mundt II, and foot by Gödert Botstede.
2112. Table on stand of carved, gilded wood with Frederik III’s monogram from c. 1650. The top is of imitation marble with indistinct signature: BN, possibly for Franciscus Bruno Napolitanus?
2113. Silver cup representing the celestial globe, crowned by Zeus and borne by Neptune. Hinrich Lambrecht II, Hamburg c. 1650.
2115. Stools of lacquered wood with silver fittings. Copenhagen, c. 1705
2116. Silver guéridons:
* Silver guéridons: Four tall guéridons made in Augsburg 1739-40 by Philipp Jacob (VI) Drentwett and Bernhard Heinrich Weye, after J.F. Blondel, 1735. Stood in Christian VI’s Audience Chamber at Christiansborg.
* To these belong the four ten armed candelabra, altered in 1752 by Nicolai Langermann in Copenhagen.
* Four guéridons, marked with the monogram of Princess Sophie Caroline of Ostfriesland, sister of Queen Sophie Magdalene, made in 1733 and 1736 by Ole Flores Wilcken in Copenhagen.
* Four guéridons with the crowned monogram of Princess Charlotte Amalie, made in Copenhagen, two by Carsten Hufnagel in 1732 and two by Ole Flores Wilcken in 1736.
2117. Six armchairs and twelve high backed chairs with monogram of Frederik IV; made to this room in 1718 by Johan Weys; the covers were embroidered by Queen Charlotte Amalie and her ladies. Two of the covers are signed: F.E. 1699 and 1700.
2118-2123
The tapestries depict Christian V’s victories in the Scanian War, 1675-79, and were woven in 1685-93 by Berent van der Eichen in Copenhagen.
Tapestries to the left of the thrones (on the entrance wall):
2118. The battle at Øland on 1 June 1676, where the Swedish fleet lost its three largest men-of-war. In the centre the flagship “Kronan” is sinking, while being shelled by the “Christianus Quintus”. To the right the “Svärdet” surrenders and to the left “Äpplet” runs aground.
2119. The landing at Raa (south of Helsingborg), 29 June 1676. In the foreground, the transport fleet, and close to the coast of Scania, the escorting warships.
2120. The conquest of Marstrand and the fortress Karlsten (north of Gothenburg) on 23 July 1677. I the foreground Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, Christian V’s half-brother and Norway’s governor receiving the letter of surrender.
2121. The battle at Møen on 1 June 1677. In the foreground two small warships, a Danish ship with a sharpshooter approaching the survivors of the “Calmar Castel” which the Swedes, contrary to the rules of law, had tried to sink.
2122. The capture of Landskrona’s citadel on 4 August 1676. In the centre Christian V and the commander-in-chief Johan Adolf of Plöen. In the background the fortress and to the left the silhouette of Copenhagen under which two gentlemen enjoy a pinch of snuff.
2123. The conquest of Wismar on 13 December 1675. In the foreground to the left Christian V accepts the surrender of the city. To the right, below the hill, Queen Charlotte Amalie in a carriage.
2124-2129
The tapestries depict Christian V’s victories in the Scanian War, 1675-79, and were woven in 1685-93 by Berent van der Eichen in Copenhagen.
The tapestries to the right of the thrones (on the wall facing the drill grounds):
2124. The capture of Helsingborg on 3 July 1676. Christian V is seen in the foreground (wearing a hat); on his right, his brother Prince Jørgen. The tower of the Helsinborg Castle is seen through the smoke and Kronborg just visible on the other side of the Sound.
2125. The conquest of Christianstad in 15 August 1676. To the right Christian V on horseback followed by Prince Jørgen. In the background the city with the Trinity Church, built by Christian IV.
2126. The descent on Rügen on 17 September 1677. In the centre to the right Christian V’s “Fridericus Tertius”, to the left the Dutch admiral general Tromp’s pennant.
2127. The conquest of Damgarten on 6 October 1675. To the left Christian V pointing towards Damgarten with his fieldmarshal’s baton. Damgarten used to control the entrance to the Swedish possessions in Pomerania. To the right Prince Jørgen.
2128. The battle in Køge Bay on 1 July 1676 where admiral Niels Juel conquered a superior Swedish fleet through a bold manoeuvre. To the right the symbolic fight between the Swedish ship “Mars” and the Danish “Tre Løver”.
2129. The conquest of Landskrona on 11 July 1676. In the centre Christian V, to the right Prince Jørgen and to the left commander-in-chief of the army Frederik Arenstorff. In the background Landskrona.
2130-2139
2130. Armchair with chased silver covering; made by A.F. Holling in Copenhagen, 1740, for Christian VI’s Audience Chamber at Christiansborg Palace.
2131. Matching canopy of velvet embroidered with gold, presumably made by Johan Harras.
2132. Two mirrors in silver frames with matching console tables of silver from Christian VI’s Audience Chamber at Christiansborg Palace. Made from designs by Court Sculptor Louis-Augustin le Clerc? The mirrors are Augsburg work by Philipp Jacob (VI) Drentwett and Bernhard Heinrich Weye 1739-40. One of the console tables by P.J. (VI) Drentwett 1739, the other by Ole Flores Wilcken in Copenhagen 1740. Mirrors renewed in 1863.
2134. Two lantern clocks with musical works, silver mounted, from Frederik IV’s time. Signed: Claudius du Chesne Londini and: J. Mitchell, London. The silver mounting of the consoles made in Copenhagen 1738 by J. Schowert. The clocks originate from Christian VI’s Audience Chamber at Christiansborg.
2135. Table and two guéridons covered with chased silver plates. The tabletop made by Johann Heinrich Mannlich, the table foot and guéridons by Johann I Bartermann, Augsburg, 1708-10.
2136. Silver firescreen, with relief depicting Mars, Venus and Cupid. Augsburg work from 1732-33 by P.J. (VI) Drentwett. Centre relief by J.A. Thelott.
2137. Octagonal table top with silver edge. In the centre, an embroidery with playing cards, probably made by Queen Charlotte Amalie and Princess Sophie Hedevig. Originally placed on a table base with the Elephant and Dannebrog Orders in the Marble Room (see no. 500).
2138. Cabinet covered with richly ornamented and chased silver plates, c. 1680. Made in Copenhagen by Jean Henri de Moor? Carved, gilt stand, c. 1740.
2139. Two Chinese porcelain vases, from the K’ang-hsi period with mounting of gilt silver bearing the monogram of Queen Louise. By G. Bolch in Copenhagen, 1704.

Relations

Christian V

Christian V was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1670; son of Frederik III and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He was married to Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel in 1667. He was the father of Frederik IV.

Frederik IV

Frederik IV was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1699; son of Christian V and Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel. Married for the first time in 1695 to Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow, with whom he had Christian (VI).

Christian IV

Christian IV was the King of Denmark and Norway from 1588; crowned in 1596. Son of Frederik II and Sophie of Mecklenburg.

Berent van der Eichen

Berent van der Eichen was a weaver of tapestries. He was active in Denmark at the end of the 17th century. He was probably born in the Spanish Low Countries (present day Belgium).

Sophie Magdalene

Sophie Magdalene became Queen of Denmark in 1730. She was the daughter of Margrave Christian Heinrich of Brandenburg-Kulmbach. In 1721 she was married to Prince Christian (VI). She was the mother of Frederik V.

1675-1700

From 1675 to 1679 the Scanian War was fought with Sweden. But the final goal, to win back Scania, was not reached as no European state would allow both sides of Øresund to be ruled by the same power again.

1700-1725

The 18th century was initiated with yet another war between Denmark and Sweden. For Denmark the war was brief, but for Sweden it was the beginning of the Great Nordic War, which Denmark became part of again from 1709.

1650-1675

The wars of Charles Gustavus (1657-1658 and 1658-1660) were the important events in foreign politics of the period. The loss of Scania, Halland and Blekinge at the Peace of Roskilde in 1658 was a nadir of power politics in Danish history.