The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgCastle historyInterior and objects21 The Knights' HallThe Battle of Öland

The Battle of Öland

The battle at Øland on 1 June 1676, where the Swedish fleet lost its three largest men-of-war. In the centre the flagship “Kronan” (The Crown) is sinking, while being shelled by the “Christianus Quintus” (Christian V). To the right the “Svärdet” (The Sword) surrenders and to the left “Äpplet” (The Orb) runs ground.

The tapestries depicts only the danish victories during the Scanian War, even though Christian V did not succeed in reconquering the recently lost danish provinces of Scania, Halland and Blekinge. These where only some of the provinces lost by Frederik III after the swift swedish invasions of 1658-59, but they where considered to be danish core provinces. The major forces of Europe at the time had no interest in a swedish great power, and thus prevented the total annexation of Denmark through both military and financial support, but some provinces, such as Scania, Halland and Blekinge, remained on swedish hands and are today an integral part of Sweden.

Relations

Christian V with His Half-Brother, c. 1671

Christian V in conversation with his elder half-brother Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, and with Count Anthon Aldenburg (1633-1680). Grisaille by Anton Steenwinkel. The Gyldenløve family, the king’s ‘natural’, which is to say illegitimate children, played an important role in the political machinations of 17th century Denmark. As children of the king, they had high status in the class-divided society. At the same time, however, they were excluded from line of succession, and thus had no dynastic ambitions, making them extremely loyal to the reigning king. Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve was the issue of a relationship Frederik (III) had with Margrethe Pape, before he married Sophie Amalie in 1643.

Cup, rock crystal

Cup made of rock crystal, carved in the shape of a flying fish. Presented to Christian V by Queen Sophie Amalie after the capture of Wismar in 1675. Made in Milan c. 1580.

Flint-lock musket

Flint-lock musket. Signed Thuraine a Paris, around 1675. The weapon has been used by Christian V during the Scanian War at the siege of Wismar 1675.

Christian V, 1681

Christian V. Enamelled miniature made by Paul Prieur 1681.

Berent van der Eichen

Berent van der Eichen was a weaver of tapestries. He was active in Denmark at the end of the 17th century. He was probably born in the Spanish Low Countries (present day Belgium).

1675-1700

From 1675 to 1679 the Scanian War was fought with Sweden. But the final goal, to win back Scania, was not reached as no European state would allow both sides of Øresund to be ruled by the same power again.