Kronborg Tapestries

One of the tapestries at Kronborg Castle.

The Kronborg Rapestries (Danish: Kronborgtapeterne), also known as Frederick II's Royal Tapestries, was a series a 43 tapestries commissioned by Frederick II of Denmark for the Great Hall in his new Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, Denmark. They were woven 1581–86 by Dutch weavers in Helsingør from cartoons drawn by the Dutch painter Hans Knieper and show the entire Danish royal line up to Frederik II and his son Christian (IB).

Only 15 of these tapestries have survived; seven hang in Kronborg and eight in the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen. The tapestry series includes a table canopy, now in the collection of the National Museum of Sweden in Stockholm. Due to reconstruction of the National Museum in Stockholm in 2012 the table canopy was lent to Kronborg, which had it on loan until spring 2016. It was the first time since 1658 that the table sky was back at Kronborg since it was taken as bounty by Swedish troops in 1658.

Survovomg taåestroes

Kings	Image	Location	Dimensions	Description
Canute VI		National Museum	C. 395 cm x c. 285 cm	The tapestry depicts Canute VI, with an upper and full beard, wearing splendid armor without a helmet, so that the crown rests directly on his head. In his right hand he holds a sceptre, while his left hand rests on a shield. The sword hangs from the sword belt. The surroundings are peaceful without any allusion to King Knud's warlike exploits (mentioned, among other things, in the rhyme on the tapestry). On his right, a hunting scene, while on his left, both a boat trip and a hunt against a deer with a bow and arrow are depicted.
Valdemar II		Kronborg Castle	c. 389 cm x c. 293 cm	Valdemar II is depicted with a sword in his right hand and by his side hangs a dagger of late medieval type. The surroundings show a quite peaceful landscape, where one should rightly have expected a depiction of the Battle of Lyndanisse with Dannebrog falling from the sky. Instead, a hunting scene is seen, possibly symbolizing the ill-fated hunt on Lyø in 1223, where Valdemar, together with his son Valdemar, was captured by Count Henrik of Schwerin ("Black Henry"), which meant a large debt in ransom as well as the relinquishment of all conquered territories in Northern Germany.
Eric IV		Kronborg Castle	C. 392 cm x c. 307 cm	The tapestry depicts King Erik Plovpenning (1241–50). The king holds the scepter in his left hand (the custom is the right hand) while striking with his right hand. The motifs, in fact, do not show any representations from Erik's life. Height: approx. 392 cm. Width: approx. 307 cm.
Abel, King of Denmark		Kronborg Castle	C. 409 cm x c. 394 cm	The tapestry depicts King Abel (1250–52). The king stands with drawn sword ready for defense, however the feathered helmet lies in the grass in front of him, while the crown rests directly on his head. The king is wearing a breastplate. To the left of the king's feet is a falcon that has killed a smaller bird. Below, a snake twists itself in the leaves. this possibly symbolizes King Abel's behavior towards his brother Erik Plovpenning, whose death King Abel was accused of being behind. But he insisted on his innocence and complicity in Erik's murder. Abel fell during a campaign against the Frisians at Husum Bro, and was subsequently buried in Schleswig Cathedral.
Christopher I		National Museum	C. 390 cm x c. 195 cm	The tapestry depicts Christoffer 1. (1252–59). It is believed that the royal image has moved all the way to the right on this tapestry for reasons of placement in the ballroom at Kronborg. The king holds a scepter in his right hand, while a sword rests under his left arm as his hand holds the paring rod. In the background you can see a town on a hill and below it, a village church. In the middle you can see a castle with associated buildings outside the castle gates. Finally, a lunch in the green is shown.
Eric V and Eric VI		Kronborg Castle	C. 387 cm x c. 285 cm	The tapestry depicts two kings: Erik Glipping (1259–86) and Erik Menved (1286–1319). The two kings have moved a little to the side - to the left - presumably due to location considerations in the dance hall at Kronborg. Erik Glipping is made with a scepter and crown, he has a so-called bicycle handlebar mustache and a full beard, He is wearing a breastplate with a lion, otherwise 16th century. clothing. Erik Menved lacks the scepter and crown, but instead has a drawn sword in his right hand. He wears full armor and his head is covered with a helmet adorned with feathers. On the right side of the wallpaper, a battle scene outside a fortified city is reproduced. It may be about battles in Northern Germany, which are mentioned in the rhyme on the tapestry. You can see that "The Danes have won" on the large Dannebrog up on the city wall, while corresponding flags in the crowd below the city wall show that the battle is not yet completely decided.
Christopher II		Kronborg Castle	C. 386 cm x c. 278 cm	The tapestry depicts Christopher II (1319–32). The crowned king, who has a full beard, stands with a scepter in his right hand, while the left hand holds the bent pommel of the sword. On the left side, a hunt is being prepared; nets are set up and a gentleman rides towards two ladies on horseback who are to join the hunt. Dogs are also included. On the right side, a tournament is taking place, where you can see trumpeters on horseback, waiting riders and two riders fighting each other with lances, separated only by a solid railing. Behind the tournament is an empty tent (for spectators) and again behind this a ring wall shielding a castle. In the far background, two spiers of another castle can be seen, which lead the mind to Kronborg.
Olaf II of Denmark		Kronborg Castle	C. 286 cm x 265 cm	The tapestry here depicts King Oluf (1376–87). The young beardless king is depicted in profile with a raised scepter in his right hand and a sword in his left; in the sword belt, you can also see a dagger that, in terms of type, belongs to the 16th century. In the background, on the king's left side, a small company can be seen, presumably a hunting party, while on the right side, a presumably guard can be seen, by the way, by a bridge that leads over to a half-timbered house that does not look Danish. Foreign sources have undoubtedly been used for many of the background scenes
Eric of Pomerania		National Museum	C. 389 cm x c. 275 cm	The tapestry here (National Museum) depicts Eric of Pomerania (1412–39). The king is rendered slightly "surrendered" with the left hand/arm slightly flung out, while the scepter and crown are placed carefully in the grass next to it. Perhaps symbolic of his fate, as he was deposed/abdicated and went to Gotland, where he made a living by piracy, eventually ending up in Pomerania. On the sea in the background lies a fleet - possibly on its way to Gotland.
John, King of Denmark		National Museum	30+ c, x 290 cm	The tapestry here (National Museum) depicts King Hans (1481–1513). As a model for the production of the king's face, there are several possibilities that Hans Knieper may have used. And there is some uncertainty as to whether the face has in fact been replaced with Christian I. The king is depicted in a forest landscape, in the middle of which rises a tall, round tower. To the left of the king, three rabbits play peacefully, in stark contrast to the background on the right, where you see a war scene with poorly equipped horsemen against footmen on a bridge. Some of the footmen are already dead and hanging over the bridge, on their way down into the water. In the rhyme written on the tapestry, a skirmish is mentioned in which King Hans defeated the dalkarls at Rotebro north of Stockholm, so it is reasonable to believe that it is precisely this event that is being depicted. In that case, the tower may symbolize the famous "three-crown" of Stockholm Castle.
Christian I of Denmark		National Museum	C. 390 cm x 289 cm	The tapestry here depicts Christian 1 (1448–81) in front of Rome, to which he made a pilgrimage in 1474–75. Castel San Angeko and Ponte Fabricio are recognizable on the tapestry.
Christian II and Frederick I		National Museum		The tapestry here (National Museum) depicts Frederik II himself (1559–88) and Christian (IV) in front of Kronborg and Frederiksborg castle. In the background two noblemen are seen, the face of one of whom reveals that it must be Tycho Brache, a man whose business cast a shine on kings and kingdoms. Height: approx. 390 cm. Width: approx. 365 cm.
Christian III and Frederick I		National Museum	415 cm x 245 cm	The tapestry depicts Christian III (1534–59) standing outside the besieged Copenhagen in 1536, with scepter and apple of the throne in his hands. He is also wearing a splendid suit of armor.
Frederick II and Prince Christian (IV)		National Museum	C. 390 cm x 365 cm	Frederik II (1559–88) is seen on a wild boar hunt. In addition, three hunting boys, each with his own dog harness. Height: approx. 290 cm. Width: approx. 165 cm. T
Frederick II		National Museum	C. 290 cm x 165 cm	Frederik II (1559–88) is seen on a wild boar hunt. In addition, three hunting boys, each with his own dog harness. Height: approx. 290 cm. Width: approx. 165 cm. T