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

Of the Nobility, Clergy, and Commonalty of Denmark, in relation to Govern∣ment; As also of the chief Order of Knighthood, called of the Elephant.

IN all Governments the Inhabitants are distinguished, and divided into several Or∣ders and Degrees, commonly called States. In England we have but King, Lords, and Commons. But in Denmark they reckon five Orders, or States; viz. the Blood-Royal, the Nobility or Gentry, the Clergy, Burgesses or Merchants, and Countrey-men.

In our fore-going Discourse we have spoke at large of the Blood-Royal. I come now to the next Order, which is the Nobility. A Bridle to Kings in all Elective Kingdoms, but on the contrary a Support of Crowns Here∣ditary.

Before the Crown of Denmark was made Hereditary, there was no Titular Lords. But he only was counted a Noble-man, that could shew his Nobility by a long Descent. They bore their Arms simple, and thought it a dis∣grace to change, or add to them. Here is still the Noble Family of the Wrens, whose Ancestors were present at the Treaty made on the River Eyder, between Charles the Great and Hening King of Denmark, which is almost 900 years since; As also that of the Whitfelds, of which the English Whitfields are an Off-spring, who bear the same Arms with the Whitfelds in Denmark, and whose Ancestors came over with King Canute.

To proceed, the Nobility or Gentry of Denmark (for 'tis the same thing there) in∣joy their Estates with high and low Jurisdi∣ction, and have (as the German Counts) the liberty of Hunting, hair with hair, and feather with feather. Their Patrimonial E∣states are not held in fief, but in free tenure. All Castles, Lands, and Goods, as well move∣able as immoveable, left to them by their Parents, are equally divided amongst the Brothers. In case of Sisters, the Brother has two shares, and the Sister but one. The Man∣sion Houses and Castles are kept by the Heir∣males, but many Lordships are equally divi∣ded. Noble-men, that are so well qualifi'd as to merit the King's special favour, may

come to great Preferment and Riches. 'Tis out of the Nobility that is chosen the Council of State, the Senators whereof must not ex∣ceed the number of 38. The Crown allows each of them a Competency, with some fair Castle in the Countrey for his Retirements, whilst he is of that Body.

The Chief Men of this Council are the Ricks Drost, and the Lords Marshal, Admiral, Chancellour, and Treasurer. The Ricks Drost is, as it were, the King's Lieutenant, that manages, resolves, and dispatches the King's Affairs. The Lord Marshal takes care both in Peace and War of all Military Concerns; and the Admiral sees to Maritime Affairs. The Chancellor judges of Civil Causes, and the Treasurer receives the King's Revenues.

The third Order or Degree, is the Clergy. The Body of which does consist of Ministers, otherwise called the Inferiour Clergy. And out of these are chosen the Superintendents or Bishops, for the Church-Government. These are the Overseers, Inspectors, and Heads of the Clergy. Over which there is a general Superintendent, and that is the Bishop (or Arch-bishop, if you will) of Copenhagen. These Governours of the Church have in∣deed a Priority both of Place and Power be∣fore other Ministers, together with some li∣beral Maintenance in proportion to it. They have a Power of Presidence in all Church-

Assemblies; but so, that they are to take along with them the Advice of other Mini∣sters. From whom they do not otherwise dif∣fer, either in Order, Habit, or Title of Dig∣nity. All of them in general, and in particu∣lar, are accountable to the Supream Ecclesia∣stical Consistory, as in former times to the Provincial or National Synod. Which Con∣sistory is made up of Counsellors of State, and the Heads of the Clergy. In short, both the Revenues and the Power of these Prelates are much Inferiour to what it was formerly before the Reformation; so that a Bishop here is lit∣tle better than Primus inter Pares.

The fourth Order or Degree consists of Townsmen, Burgesses and Merchants, who have their Privileges peculiar to themselves. Out of these, and from the Husbandmens Children, are chosen the Bishops, Canons, Ministers, and Magistrates of Towns, Clarks of Castles and Fortresses, Ship-Officers, Toll∣men, &c. These Magistrates judge the least Causes, but for the most part they have a President out of the Gentry.

But, of all the Corporations within this Kingdom, none has such Privileges, and truly none deserves such, as the City of Copenha∣gen. Privileges as to the Freedom of the City and the Increase of Trade. Privileges whereby the City has a Vote in all those De∣liberations which concern the publick Good.

To which add their Privileges in purchasing any Lands and Lordships whatsoever, and in∣joying them with the same Rights as the No∣bles; In not being burdened with any Impo∣sitions the Nobles do not bear, and not that but by publick Consent; in being free from all Contributions or Inquarterings whatsoe∣ver in times of Peace; and lastly, in that the Citizens Children, whether Ecclesiastick or Civil, are admitted to Honours and pub∣lick Offices equally with Noblemens Chil∣dren, provided they be sit and capable for them. All which Priviledges, and several others, the late King Frederick granted this City, when besieged by Charles Gustave of Sweden; that having the more to lose, they might have most reason to defend themselves, as they did effectually.

The fifth Order or Degree is that of the Country-men. Which are of two Sorts, the one called Freibunden, that is Free-holders. These enjoy their Living by Inheritance, but give some small matter yearly. They trade also, and have the Liberty of Fishing. They are not taxed with Servitude or Bondage; neither pay they any Contribution, without the Consent of the Senators and Counsellors of the Kingdom. The other Sort is of such who have not any Land but what they farm of the King, Gentry, or Clergy; and are

bound to do Homage for the same, as they make their Conditions.

The chief Order of Knighthood in Den∣mark is that of the Elephant. Instituted (as some say) Anno 1478. by King Christiern I, at the Wedding of John his Son and Succes∣sor. The Badge of these Knights is a Collar powdred with Elephants towred, supporting the Kings Arms, and having at the end the Picture of the Virgin Mary.