The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgCastle historyInterior and objects15 Christian VII's RoomMan-of-war

Man-of-war

Man-of-war made, after 1807, by Danish prisoners of war in England, from the bones left on their plates. Acquired by Frederik VI in 1810.

Relations

Norwegian Lion – Ivory Ship

Ivory model of the frigate ‘Norwegian Lion’. The ship is made of ivory, the canons and rigging of silver. The model was carved in 1654 by Jacob Jensen Nordmand. During the reign of Frederik II Denmark had one of Europe’s very best naval forces, but in spite of Christian IV’s expansion of it, the Danish Navy was weakened in step with the declining political importance of Denmark after the Thirty Years’ War and later defeats. In spite of this the navy supported the Danish claim to levy the Sound Dues for a period of around 400 years, as one of the reasons given was that the Danish navy kept the entire Baltic Sea free of pirates. Although this was to some extent true early in the period, the argument became more and more theoretical.

1800-1825

At the beginning of the 19th century, the long peaceful period ended. International relations in connection with the Napoleonic Wars made it difficult for Denmark to stay neutral.