The present state of Denmark. By Guy Miege, author of the New cosmography, or survey of the whole world.

Of DENMARK in particular.

And first of Jutland.

AS this famous Peninsule was formerly called Cimbrica Chersonesus, from the Cimbri, the then Inhabitants of it; so it has since took the name of Jutland from the Juites, who peopled it next to the Cimbri. These were the People, who (together with the neighbouring Saxons) made a Conquest of the best part of Britain.

At this time Jutland is divided into North and South Jutland. The first is subdivided into the four Dioceses (or Districts) of Alburg, Wiburg, Arhusen, and Ripen; and South-Jut∣land, into the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein.

The Diocese of Alburg takes up the most Northern Parts of this Peninsule, and is so called from Alburg the chief Place hereof; seated on the South-side of the Bay of Lim∣fort, that Bay which opening Eastward cross∣es almost all the Peninsule, and makes in its way a good large Island called Mors. On the West of which Island is the Tract of Land call'd the Ty, or Tyland, as those Parts which lye North of the said Bay go by the name of Winsissel.

The Diocese of Wiburg lies South of that; and is so called from Wiburg, the Episcopal See, situate on a River which runs North∣ward into the Bay of Limfort.

South of that lies the District of Arhusen, so called from Arhusen, the chief place here∣of. Situate East-Southward from Wiburg by the Sea side, and being a Port of good note, few miles above the lesser Belt. Opposite to which is Rinkoping on the West-side of the Peninsule, thirteen Leagues distant from Ar∣husen Westward, and ten from Ripen North∣ward. This is a noted Sea Port on the Ger∣man Ocean.

The Diocese of Ripen is the most Southern, and the largest of all. The same is so deno∣minated from Ripen, the Episcopal See, seat∣ed on the West-side of the Peninsule, near the German Ocean, and fortified with a Ca∣stle. Under this Diocese there are no less

than thirty Herets or Perfectures, 282 Pa∣rishes, seven walled Towns, and ten Royal Castles.

Amongst these Towns I cannot but take a particular notice of Fredericks-Ode. The taking of which by the Swedes (Nov. 4. Anno 1657.) under the Conduct of Marshal Wran∣gel, did not only give them the Plunder and Contribution of most part of Jutland, but al∣so traced them the way for their further Con∣quests. This was a new Town, seated on the lesser Belt, indowed with many Priviledges to invite Inhabitants, and fortified on the Land∣side. The Sea-side, being pallisadoed from the adjoyning Bulwarks as sar as deep Wa∣ter, was counted strong enough. But the Swedes, under favour of the Darkness, and some false Alarms, broke down that wooden Fence; and, rushing in up to the Saddle-skirts in Water, took the Town by Storm. Where, besides 2000 slain, they made above 2000 Prisoners, whereof near 200 Officers. There they found no less than 33 Colours, and 80 Pieces of Canon, with other Store of Ammu∣nition and Plunder.

But the Swedes kept it little above a twelve Month in their hands. For, about the latter end of the following Year, the Emperour, the King of Poland, and the Elector of Brandenburg, being confederated together against the Swedes, in their own and the

Danes behalf, they put the Swedish Forces in Jutland so hard to it, that they were fain to quit all their Holds there. Upon their quit∣ting of this Place the Confederates resolved, but in vain, to pursue the Swedes into the Isle of Funen. Where they were so warmly received by the Defendants, that they were fain to retire before they could reach the shore. Here is also in this Diocese the Sea-Port of Colding, not above six miles South-west of Fredericks-Ode. The same is fortified with a Castle, called Arnsburg; and here is paid the Toll for the Horses and Oxen which pass this way for Holstein and Germany. This Town was taken from the Swedes, some time before Fredericks-Ode, by Czernesky, who com∣manded the Polish Forces. Having forced the Kings Palace, he put the whole Garrison to the Sword, reserving only the Governour and his Lieutenant to publish his Victory and their own Misfortune.

I proceed now to South-Jutland, which (as I said before) comprehends the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein. Though there are those, I confess, who look upon Holstein as no part (or Member) of Jutland, but as a Country of it self.

The first is so called from Sleswick, the chief Place of it. Seated towards the end of a large Bay or Inlet of the Baltick, which runs half way the Peninsule Westward, and gives

to Sleswick a fair and commodious Haven. The Dukedom was first erected by King Eric of Denmark, who gave it to Waldemar, great Grandchild of Abel a former King, An∣no 1280, to be held by him under the Right and Sovereignty of the Kings thereof, But, the Male Issue failing, it returned to the Crown, and was by Margaret Queen of Den∣mark conferred on Gerard Earl of Holstein, Anno 1386. Afterwards repenting of that Act, she extorted it out of the hands of his Wi∣dow; but it was again recovered by the Va∣lour and good Fortune of his Son Adolphus. After whose Death, it fell together with Hol∣stein to Christiern of Oldenburg King of Den∣mark, by whom it was incorporated with that Crown.

Next to Sleswick there are other Places of good note in this Dukedom. As Gottorp, near Sleswick, a strong Castle, and the usual Resi∣dence of the Dukes of Holstein Gottorp, of the Royal Family of Denmark. Frederick∣stad, on the River Eyder, some fourteen miles West of Gottorp. Tonningen, a strong Fortress, not above eight miles from that to the Westward, and seated also on the River Ey∣der not far from its Influx in to the German Sea; but lately dismantled by the King of Denmark.

The River Eyder is the chief of this Penin∣sule, and was the ancient Boundary betwixt the Saxons and the Danes. It rises above

Rensburg, and parts all the way it runs the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein. 'Tis from this River that the said Duke of Hol∣stein's Country, from Tonningen as far as Husum, is called Eyderstede.

Now Husum lies almost full North of Ton∣ningen, commodiously seated on a Bay of the German Sea, and fortified with a Castle. Both this Place and Tonningen, as well as Frederickstad, did lately belong to the Duke of that Name.

North-East from Husum you will find Flensburg, a noted Town with a Castle on a Bay of the Baltick Sea, called Hever Bay. There is a Port so deep, so safe, and so com∣modious, that the very Ships come up close to the Houses almost every where. Further North is Apenrade, likewise on the Baltick Sea. Six or seven miles further you will find Hadersleben, a Town of good note, near the Baltick, and over against the Island of Funen; beautify'd with the fair Castle of Hansburg, begun to be built by John, the eldest Son of King Christiern I. then Duke of Holstein, but finished by Frederick II. King of Denmark. This Town and Castle was in the fore∣mentioned Wars twice taken by the Swedes, but at last restored with the rest. There is one Town more in these Parts I thought fit to take notice of; and that is Ton∣dern, near the German Sea, almost oppo∣site

to Apenrade aforesaid on the Baltick.

Betwixt Sleswick and Flensburg is a Terri∣tory that goes by the Name of Anglen. From whence England has got its denomination, ever since King Egbert (whose Ancestors per∣haps were born in this Tract of Land) caused this Kingdom to be called Engel-lond (after∣wards turned into England) in a Parliament held at Winchester, Anno 814. So that the English Nation is not only originally descend∣ed from the Saxons and Danes, but the very Name of England has its original from thence. And, if there ought to be any Ties of natu∣ral Friendship betwixt two Nations sprung up from the same Root, it must be betwixt these Nations; especially, considering the Unifor∣mity of Manners, the Congruity of Religion as to the main Points, and the stricter Uni∣on of both Crowns by such Royal Matches on both sides as makes the same Bloud run in the Veins of both the Royal Families.

I said before, that the River Eyder was the ancient Boundary betwixt the Saxons and the Danes. But 'tis observable besides, that in Imitation of the Picts Wall in England, there was within few miles South of Sleswick a long Trench and Wall from the one Sea to the other; so broad, that a Chariot or two Horse∣men a breast might ride upon it. The same was first built by Gotricus (or Godfrey) King of Denmark, in the time of Charles the

Great; either to stop the Current of his Vi∣ctories, or to hinder the daily Incursions of the Saxons. The Tract thereof, still very easy to be seen, is called Danewark to this day.

South of the Dukedom of Sleswick lies that of Holstein. A woody Country, called Holstein, from the Dutch word Holt, which signifies a Wood or Forest. The River Eyder divides it Northward from Sleswick. Westward it is bounded partly with the Elb, and Eastward with the Baltick. The River Elb, one of the five great Rivers of Germany, divides it from the Dukedom of Bremen, and further South∣ward it is bounded with the Dukedom of Sa∣xen Lawemburg.

This Country is divided into four princi∣pal Parts, viz. Dithmarsen North-westward, Holstein properly so called, Stormaren South∣ward, and Wageren North-castward.

First Holstein specially so called (together with Stormaren) was made an Earldom by the Emperour Lotharius, Anno 1134. in the Person of Adolph Earl of Schomburg, who had deserved well of him in his Wars. And, when Christiern Earl of Oldenburg was cal∣led to the Crown of Denmark, Anno 1448, he having gotten Dithmarsen of the Emperour Frederick the Third, prevailed so far as to have the whole Estate erected into a Duke∣dom, to be held by him and his Successors of the sacred Empire.

The famous Hanse-Towns of Hamburg and Lubeck, that on the Elb and this on the Trave, both on the Borders of Holstein and Germany, are reckoned as Towns of Holstein; though neither of them subject to the King of Denmark, nor to the Dukes of Holstein.

Hamburg is of that part of Holstein which is called Stormaren, about sixteen German miles from Bremen in Germany, six East of Staden, and eight West of Lubeck. It is built at the Influx of the Alster into the Elb, in a large Plain, with fat and rich Pastures round about it, the Ships coming up to it a great way with the Tide. This is an ancient City, great, populous, beautiful, and rich, and a Place of vast Trading. There is the old and new Town, both surrounded with good Walls, and well fortified. The Buildings for the most part are of Brick, the Streets some∣what narrow, but the publick Structures very fair; especially the Council-house, adorned with the Statues of the nine Worthies, carved with very great Art; then the Exchange or Meeting-place for Merchants; and amongst the Churches S. Nicolas and S. Catharines Church, this last having a marble Chair with Figures of Alabaster, and Ornaments of Gold most delicately wrought. It is observed, (says Heylin) that there were in this Town at one time 177 Brewers, when there was but forty Bakers, one Lawyer, and one Physician. The

Reason of which Disproportion was, that a Cup of Nimis was their usual Physick; that Bread was counted a Binder, and so not to be used but in case of Necessity; and that their Differences were sooner ended over a Can than by course of Law. This formerly was the Staple Town for English Cloth, from whence on some Discontents it was removed to Stade, and at last to Holland.

Anciently Hamburg was an Archbishops See, founded by Charles the Great; but trans∣ferred to Bremen, Anno 850, with the Consent of Lewis the then Emperour. Moreri says, that Hamburg was sometime subject to the Archbishops of Bremen, that afterwards the Hamburgers were under particular Lords of their own, and at last came to be under the Dukes of Holstein. But Heylin, having told us that this City was repaired by Charles the Great, and walled by the Emperour Henry the Fourth, says further, that it was account∣ed since that time an Imperial City, and made one of the Hanse, upon the first Incorpora∣ting of those Towns. Which notwithstand∣ing, upon a Controversy arising about that time betwixt the Earl of Holstein and the Peo∣ple of Hamburg, this Town was adjudged to belong to the Earls of Holstein, and that De∣termination ratify'd by Charles the Fourth, Anno 1374. In pursuance whereof, the Ham∣burgers took the Oath of Allegiance to Chri∣stiern Earl of Oldenburg (the first King of

Denmark of that House) as Earl of Holstein, acknowledging him and his Successors for their lawful Lords. But since that time they have slip'd their Necks out of the Collar, and having took upon themselves to live as a free State, they only pay some small Duty to the King of Denmark as Duke of Holstein; and that rather by way of a Toll upon the account of Gluckstad that lies betwixt Hamburg and the Mouth of the River Elb, than on any other account. However, the King of Den∣mark seems to have a just Claim to Ham∣burg; and he never draws near it with any Forces, but the Hamburghers, jealous of their Liberty, and perhaps conscious of their Guilt, put themselves into a Posture of Defence. In order to which, besides their constant Garri∣son, and the promised Assistance of the rest of the Hanse-Towns upon all occasions, they can raise about fifteen thousand Citizens in Arms to stand for their Liberty.

Lubeck, the chief of all the Hanse Towns, was at first but a goodly Borough, which Adolphus Earl of Holstein built Anno 1143. in the time of the Emperour Conrade III. But it was so well priviledged by the said Earl and his next Successors, that in a short time it bid defiance to its Founders, and was made a Dukedom of it self. By the Emperour Fre∣derick I. it was united to the Empire, but after his Death they chose themselves another

Duke. Who, having governed them five Years, was subdued by the Danes, and the City made subject to that Kingdom. In which Condition they remained, till delivered by the Emperour Frederick II, by whom being infranchised again, it became Imperial, and was afterwards listed amongst the Hanse Towns. Anno 1500. John, King of Den∣mark, attempted to reduce this City under his Obedience; which War broke out again in the year 1509, and then the Swedes es∣poused the Lubeckers Quarrel. Anno 1547, in Charles the fifth's time, they sent their De∣puty's to the Emperour, to get a Continu∣ation of their Privileges, for which they pre∣sented his Imperial Majesty with 100000 Crowns. Anno 1562. they ingaged in a War with Eric King of Sweden, which War con∣tinued till the year 1570. Ever since this Ci∣ty has been in a flourishing Condition. And, though it has been burnt down several times, particularly in the year 1238, yet it raised it self always out of its Ashes.

Tis built upon all the sides of a rising Hill, on the top whereof stands the Church of St. Mary, whence is a descent to all the Gates of the City, affording to the eye a most pleasing Prospect. The Buildings are very beautiful, and all of Brick, the Streets strait and even, the Churches (Ten in number) in good repair, adorned with excellent Image∣ry,

and much admired even by skilful Workmen. From the publick Conduit a pipe of Water is conveyed to every House; according to the Pattern whereof the Conduits were first made in London, and other Places. In a word, says Heylin, there is not any City of Germany, or the more Northern Country's, which can equalize it, either for the Beauty and Uniformity of the Houses, the pleasant Gardens, fair Streets, and delightful Walks without the Walls; or for the Citizens themselves, who are much commended for their Civility to Strangers, and strict execution of Justice without Partia∣lity. To which purpose I shall here subjoyn the clear Testimony of Lindebergius and ano∣ther Poet. The first speaks of it thus.

Gens humana, Situs, Commercia, Littora, Mores, Mars, Toga, Divitiae, Curia, Religio, Arctoas inter claras Virtutibus Ʋrbes Efficiunt tollat tanta Lubeca Caput; Et Decus Europae, & lumen sit totius Ansae, Et sit Vandalici pulcra Corona Soli.

The other thus.

Traverna leni descendimus amne Lubecum, Ʋrbis post paucas Munimina cernimus horas. Ingressi verò Portas miramur & Aedes, Arte laboratas omnes, Cultumque Domorum

Eximium, Merces, amplissima Strata Viarum. Denique longè alias omnes quas vidimus Ʋrbes Haec superat, &c.

The same is seated on the borders of Hol∣stein, Lawemburg, and Mecklemburg, and par∣ticularly in that part of Holstein which is cal∣led Wageren, not above two German miles distant from the Baltick. The River Trave, which runs through the midst of it, carries Ships of the greatest burthen; and such is the Trade of this Place, that it is thought above 600 Ships of all sorts (some of a thousand Tun and upwards) belong to it. Near the Ri∣vers Mouth is the Fort called Travemund. An∣no 1162, the Bishops See of Oldenburg was formerly transferred to this Place; the present Bishop being of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp's Branch. To conclude, Lubeck lives in the form of a Common-wealth, and has made a strict Alliance with the States General of the United Provinces; who included this Town in the seventy second Article of their Treaty with Spain, Anno 1648.

Next to Hamburg and Lubeck, the most noted Places in Holstein, and first in Wageren, are Segeberg, near the head of the River Trave, four German Miles from Lubeck; Oldislo, on the same River, betwixt Segeberg and Lubeck; Newstat, on the Baltick; Olden∣burg, North of that; and Ploen upon a Lake,

fortified with a Castle, and belonging to a Prince of the House of Holstein, from hence called the Duke of Holstein Ploen.

Secondly, in Stormaren, Pinnemberg, two leagues North of Hamburg; Crempen, on a lit∣tle River of that name, which falls not far off from hence into the Stoer, and both together not much further into the Elb. A Town well fortifi'd by King Christiern the Fourth, and reckoned one of the Keys of that Kingdom. Gluckstad, on the River Elb; which Place was likewise repaired and fortifi'd by Christiern the Fourth, to command the Passage up the Elb.

Thirdly, in Ditmarsen, Meldorp, on the Ocean; the Inhabitants of which are so wealthy, that many of them cover their Houses with Copper; Brunsbuttel, at the Mouth of the River Elb; Heide, five miles North of Meldorp; and Lunden, further North, on the bank of the Eyder.

Fourthly, in Holstein specially so called, Rensburg, a Place well fortify'd. Kiel, four leagues East of Rensburg, situate on a Bay of the Bal∣tick, and having a capacious Haven, seldom without good store of Shipping from Germa∣ny, Sweden, and Denmark. This Town be∣longs to the Duke of Holstein. 'Tis fortified with a Castle, and here the Duke keeps his Courts of Judicature. It suffered much by the Wars of Sweden and Denmark, in the late Kings Reign. Bordesholm, on the North

end of a Lake; not much observable, but for a Monastery, in which Henry, one of the Earls hereof (of a younger House) turned Monk, and died Anno 1241. Itzehoe, on the River Stoer, bordering upon Stormaren.

Amongst all the aforesaid Towns, Kiel, Lunden, Heide, Oldenburg, Ploen, Bordesholm, and a few others of less Note, belong to the Dukes of Holstein.

But 'twill not be improper to take no∣tice that Wageren took its name from the Wagrii, a Tribe (or Nation) of the Sclaves, who possessed this Tract; Stormaren, from the River Stoer and the Marsi, once the In∣habitants hereof; and Ditmarsen, from a Mixture of the Dutch and the Marsi. These last, being naturally of the Saxon Race, re∣tain much of the Stomack and Animosity of the ancient Saxons; and never were brought under the Command of the Earls of Holstein, (as Wageren and Stormaren were) till Hol∣stein it self was joyned to the Crown of Den∣mark. And, though it was aliened from the Empire by Frederick the Third, and given in fee to Christiern Earl of Oldemburg the first King of that House, Anno 1414; yet would they not submit unto his Authority, but held it out against him, and some of his Successors, whom in the year 1500. they vanquished in the open Field. But they were at last subdued by the Valour of King Frederick the Second, Anno 1550.

To conclude, Holstein came to be subject to the King of Denmark in the Person of Chri∣stiern I. Who, being Earl of Oldemburg, was elected to that Crown; and, after the Death of Adolph Earl of Holstein, his Uncle by the Mothers side, (who died without Issue) Holstein came into his hands.

But then Otho, Earl of Schomborg, pre∣tended a Right unto it, as the next Heir Male, according to the Constitutions of the Empire, of which it was holden. On the other side Gerard, the Brother of Christiern, put in for his Share, according to the ill Custom of Germany, of which it was then counted part. So that King Christiern was fain to compound with both. To Otho he paid 43000 Florens, and left him withall such Pla∣ces as were the ancient Possessions of the Earl of Schomborg. And to his Brother Gerard he gave 50000 marks, besides his whole In∣terest in the Earldom of Oldenburg, only re∣serving the Title, according to the fashion in Germany.

By this means Holstein was united to the Crown of Denmark. Which being afterwards inlarged with the Addition of Ditmarsen, it was erected into a Dukedom, by the Em∣perour Frederick III. Anno 1474. After which the Kings of Denmark, (as Dukes of Hol∣stein) were counted Princes of the Empire. Though they neither send to the Imperial

Diets, nor contribute any thing at all to the Publick Taxes, nor acknowledg any kind of Subjection to it more than meerly Titu∣lar. Only it was ordained, at the request of the Subjects, when first they were incorpora∣ted into that Kingdom, that in case of any Grievance or unjust Sentence in the ordinary Courts of Justice, wherein they found no re∣medy in the Supreme Council of the Province, it might be lawful for them to appeal to the Imperial Chamber, as they had done for∣merly. Which Grant has been so seldom made use of, that it is in a manner worn out of memory.

But, since this Uniting of these two Estates, the Title of Duke of Holstein and a good Part of the Country was in a manner dis∣membred from the Crown, and given to Adolph, Brother of Christiern III, who go∣verned it interchangeably with the King. Afterwards another part of this Country was bestowed upon John, younger Brother to Frederick II. Of which two Dukes, and their Successors, you shall have a further Account in its proper place.