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

Of the lesser Islands of DENMARK, viz. Mone, Falster, Laland, Langeland, Alsen, Femeren, Bornholm, and others of less note, in the Baltick.

IN the time of Pomponius Mela, says Hey∣lin, most of the chief Islands of Denmark were by one general Name called the Hemodes, reckoned to be seven. Whereas Cluverius and Sanson are of Opinion, that the Ancients meant by the Hemodes the Isles of Schetland, some Leagues North of Scotland, and about the same Latitude as Bergen in Norway.

But, to wave that, let us now take a Sur∣vey of the lesser Islands of Denmark. Mone, Faster, and Laland, lye pretty close together South of Seland, from which parted by a nar∣row

Streight called Grone-sund. And, as Fal∣ster is bigger than Mone, so Laland is bigger than Falster.

Mone, or Meun, is an Island about twelve miles long, and six broad, the chief Place whereof is Stekoe. The Swedish Forces that attempted it in April 1659, while the Siege laid before Copenhagen, found here greater Resistance than in any of the other Islands.

Falster lies South-west from Mone, and is a plentiful Island. Nicoping is the chief Town herein, which for the neatness of the Place and pleasantness of the Situation, is called the Naples of Denmark. But this Island in the time of the Swedish War, run the same fortune with the rest, and was by the Swedes taken from the right Owner.

Laland, the largest and fruitfullest of all these Islands, lies South-west of Falster. The chief Place thereof is Naskow, a Town well fortify'd; which held out most stoutly against the Swedes, when they entred this Island in April 1659. But at last wanting Powder, and hopeless of Relief, the Garrison was forced to surrender.

Langeland is a long, but narrow Island, that lies within few miles East-Southward of Fu∣nen. It reaches in length from North to South almost seven German miles, and not above two in breadth from East to West. Here is the Town Rudcoping, and the Castle

of Traneker. The Swedes took this Island in the Month of March 1659. under the Con∣duct of Field-Marshal Wrangel, and here they began that year the Conquest of these Islands. Which, being the Granary's and Store-houses of Copenhagen, afforded still fresh Supplies to it. And therefore King Charles, seeing no way of conquering Copenhagen but by the Conquest of these Isles, resolved to attempt them. Which he did successfully.

Alsen is situate near the Eastern Coast of Sleswick in Jutland. An Isle well stored with Beasts for Profit, and Game for Pleasure. Here is the Castle of Norburg in the North Parts of the Island, and the stately Castle of Sunder∣burg Southward. Which last gives the Name to a Branch of the Royal Family of Den∣mark, the Duke of Holstein Sunderburg. This Island was taken by Wrangel next to Lang∣land. At last, having landed his Men, he took the Castle of Norburg by Storm; but he assaulted Sunderburg thrice in vain. There∣fore he quitted the Island again, and having pillaged the Coasts of Sleswick in his way, re∣turned with his Prisoners and Prey to Funen.

Femeren is another of these fruitful Islands, and the most Southern of all, being situate near the Coast of Holstein. Here is Borg and Stubern.

Bornholm is a considerable Island, and the last of all the Baltick which belong to Den∣mark. The same is situate more Eastward,

towards the farthest Parts of Bleking in Scho∣nen. An Isle of excellent Pasturage, breed∣ing plenty of Cattel. Here is a goodly Town called Nex, and a strong Castle named Sand∣hamer. This Island was formerly pawned to the Lubeckers, who had it in their Possession about fifty years; but King Frederick II. re∣deemed it. By the Treaty of Roschild it was left to the Swedes. But the King of Denmark has recovered it since, by giving an Equiva∣lent of Royal Demeans in Schonen.

Besides the foresaid Islands, which are the most considerable next to Seland and Funen, and as many Jewels to the Crown of Den∣mark, there are many others of less note and bigness.

About Seland there is first Amag or Ama∣ger, lying on the South-east side of Copen∣hagen, and containing that Part of it which is called the New Town. The Island is about six English miles long, and four broad, and may be called the City's Store-house. For it furnishes its Markets abundantly with Meat, Butter, Cheese, Hares, domestick Fowl, and all sorts of Kitchin Herbs. There are in it se∣veral Villages, inhabited partly by Danes, and partly by Dutch. The latter planted here above 150 years since, by the Procure∣ment of King Christiern II. who got them hi∣ther out of North-Holland, to make Butter

and Cheese, as being most skilful in that mi∣stery.

When the Swedes lay before Copenhagen in their last Expedition, these Islanders got leave of King Frederick to live at their own Houses with their Provisions and Cattel, up∣on their Promises to gard the Avenues of the Island, and Assurance that they could not be so surprised but they should have time enough to retire, and send their Cattel and Provisions (with their Wives and Children) before-hand into the Town. This my Hi∣storian calls an unseasonable Indulgence of the King, and it proved accordingly. For the Swedes came upon the Islanders before they were aware, so that they had scarce time to save their Persons and their Cattel.

But the Swedes Stay in the Island was not long. For King Charles, having received cer∣tain Intelligence that the Dutch Fleet was co∣ming for the Relief of Denmark, quitted his present Design, with a Resolution to oppose the Advance of these Succors. Whereupon, lest the Danes should over-much rejoyce at his Departure, he commanded all the Villa∣ges and Houses to be pillaged and burnt. A sad Spectacle for the Danes, who beheld it from their Walls and Towers with much Re∣gret. But the King knowing Bewailings were fruitless, resolved to revenge this Violence. The Opportunity was fair, the Swedes being

at that time dispersed through the Island, and intent only upon their Plunderings. Therefore the King himself marched out with his own Guards, besides 250 Horse, a few Dragoons, and a good Troop for the Reserve; some of the nimblest Foot having got up behind the Troopers. There marched out likewise four light Field-pieces, drawn each of them by single Horses. The Senators who were pre∣sent would have disswaded the King from hazarding his Person, in whose Safety their All did consist. But his Majesty knowing of what moment the Presence of Princes is in such Encounters, and hearing besides that the King of Sweden was in the Isle in Person, pre∣sently clap'd Spurs to his Horse, and continu∣ed his way.

The Swedes, being alarmed with this Ap∣pearance, drew into a Body near a Village called the Hollands Dorp, and were not in all above 400 Men, that is 300 Horse and 100 Foot. The Danes, finding them in this Po∣sture, charged them bravely, and after some Resistance broke and routed them. Nay, Sir Roger Manley does not stick to say, that, if they had pursued them closely, they had in probability taken or slain King Charles him∣self. Who, together with the Prince of Sulz∣bach and Wrangel, were forced to a hasty Retreat, leaving above 100 of their Men be∣hind them upon the Place. But the Danes,

content with this Victory, and loth to in∣danger the losing on't by pursuing it, return∣ed in Triumph into the Town, their Slain and Wounded not exceeding thirty.

This Passage of the Wars I thought fit to insert, as much to exalt the personal Valour of King Frederick, as because it is so rare to see one King thus in chase of another.

North of Amag, towards Elsinor, there is a little Island called Ween, not above three miles long and one broad. Remarkable only for the Studies of that famous Astronomer Ty∣cho Brahe. To whom Frederick II. gave this Island; that, living in a private and solitary Place, removed from all Company but his own Family only, he might with more con∣venience attend his Books. At this day most observable for the Castle of Vraniborg, where the greatest part of his Mathematical Instru∣ments are safely preserved.

Turning westward, about Seland, you will find a parcel of little Islands, called Haselo, Siroo, Musholm, &c. of which nothing memo∣rable. Spro lies half way betwixt Seland and Funen. South of Funen, towards Langeland, there are indeed two goodly Islands, the one called Tassing, and the other Aroe. More to the Westward you will find Hellenis, Barso, Aroe the lesser, Boko, and Brandso.

North-east of Funen is Rompso. Further Northward Samsoo, a pretty large Island, then

Endelo, Lillo; and towards the Scau, Lesso.

Lastly, in the Ocean you have Heiligeland, Nortstrand, Fora, Sylt, Rom, and Fanoe, six pretty large Islands, if compared with these intermix'd, viz. Suderong, Hoge, Amrom, Man∣doe, &c.