Baron Juvre, of an old Viking tribe, will now move north with his Baroness Karen and his four sons, abandoning his heavily mortgaged province in Holstein. He disliked the German influence, and feared the pressure of the Prussians and possible wars.
Baron Juvre served his king and disliked Germans. His concerns were honor for Denmark, good crops, healthy livestock and the welfare of his serfs. Baron Juvre was angry and sad. Schleswig-Holstein, the land of his fathers, was coming more and more under German influence. Through economic, political and physical pressure the German were slowly gaining control. Some people were making their houses look German, expressing German thoughts, and even dressing like the Germans.
Baron Juvre said, “We go.”
Elation! His son Hans’ feet did not want to stay on the ground. They wanted to leap, fly. Hans was soaring, sailing; They were moving north! Closer to the sea! There were still several weeks of preparation and packing to do. Several weeks! When every minute shuffled by with infuriating slowness. Even though Hans kept busy, the time seemed not to move at all.
The sea and Denmark’s seagoing history had always held a fascination for Hans. He remembered his boyhood days dreamily:
Ragnar stood quietly, watching the low, marshy land on the banks of the fjord slip by. A few scattered breaths of air were stirring, wrinkling the surface of the water in isolated patches. The patches would just all of a sudden be there. Sometimes they would move in slow motion across the water, but some seemed not to move at all. How could they be still, when the wind is moving? When sailing through patches like this, you would get the wind before you sailed into the wrinkled water. Then you would ghost through the patch, and the wind would still be with you.
Slowly and slowly, the, low, marshy banks of the fjord flowed astern. Ahead, the land separated, showing a glint of open sea growing bigger, bigger. The open boat rose slightly and dipped. It slightly rose and dipped, rose and dipped. The swells grew. The bow dipped sharply into a green valley, but climbed the next hill just as lightly.
The horizon widened. The banks fell back. The heaving semicircle of the sea opened. Behind, the beaches stretched away in both directions in a great arc. The hearts of the men rose and filled with every wave. The joy at feeling again the unstained freedom of the salt and the waves was high in Ragnar.
Hans stood quietly, watching the low, marshy land on the banks of the fjord slip by. And he dreamed of Ragnar, his men, the long ship and the open sea. Many times a day Hans set sail with his men bound for the coasts of England and the misty waters beyond. His craft was a masterpiece of the boatbuilder's art. He was a strong, bold leader of Viking warriors, the feared "Kings of the Sea." His skill in navigation and seamanship was admired and marveled by his fellow seafarers. Wild panic seized the people wherever Ragnar's men struck. They were cunning and fearless fighters; masters of military tactics and strategy. Their lightning, ferocious attacks made their small band more than a match for the larger armies of the enemy.
Hans sailed the unknown as Ragnar. He rejoiced in the cold bite of the North Sea spray against his face. He thrilled at the heave, the heel and the hard driving of his ship through the choppy seas. He discovered the New World, fought with the skralings, conquered Rome and humbled the civilized world which paid him tribute. He defied the immense seas of Cape Horn and spread his fame to all the oceans of the world. He scaled rocky cliffs and relaxed on South Sea island beaches…
Hans picked up a large rock and hurled it into the water. The shallow water spattered up, drenching him. Disgust and fury fought a vicious battle within him.
“The great Ragnar ventures forth into the vastness of a … mud puddle! How can I conquer faraway lands, when I’ve never even seen the sea? Hurl a spear? I can’t even throw a rock into the water without it backfiring. Now I’m soaked to the skin.”
Suddenly Hans stopped, considered himself, and burst into fits of hysterical laughter. “Nobody who looks this ridiculous has a right to be so enraged!” He was still howling with great spasmodic chokes and holding his sides laughing when he arrived at the farmhouse.
“What has happened to you, Hans? Have you been showing the pigs how to wallow again?” Hans’ mother would have preferred to scold him, but he cut such a ridiculous figure with his wet, bedraggled clothes that she could not be serious.
Later, at night, as always, Hans was again haunted by Ragnar and the perfect freedom of the open sea. How could he explain this feeling to his father? Baron Juvre was a good-natured but serious man of the land. He believed in God, good crops and duty to his family. He could not understand Hans’ fascination with the uncomfortable, dangerous ocean. His roots were firm in the soil. His sons would keep up the estate after him. But things were happening that would disrupt his plans for continuity.
----
The long ships knifed silently through the still waters of the fjord. Ragnar’s searching told him that all were keeping position. The banks slipped by with low marshes. Ahead through the early morning mist Ragnar could already see the glint of the sun on the swells of the ocean. The long ships were rising and falling. The swells mountained up into the characteristic chop of the North Sea, but the length of the ships kept them from pitching. Ragnar’s hand tightened on the gunwale and his blood soared along with his soaring ship. The sun came out and shone full. The men were enthusiastic.
In the water, fleets upon fleets of jellyfish were passing by, also on their way to conquests. The wind increased to a steady hum in the rigging. The long ships leaned on their sides and spring through the waves, foaming at their mouths. Ragnar himself took over the steering oar and felt the surge and thrust of each wave go through his body.
At each wave, the bow rose and the craft heeled to leeward. The wave would pass underneath and the ship righted. Then, -- smack into the next green wall, foam flying. Climb up that wave, and start again. Ragnar’s blood raced with each heel and splash of foam. His beard grew stiff with salt spray and salt caked on his cheeks.
The day wore on, and the men amused themselves with gambling games and songs and stories. The weather was unusually perfect. The sun started down through several layers of clouds, looking like a flame burning its way inside a large candle. Between layers it sent out long, low, red streaks to gorge the sky and seat. The sea was spotted with red and black and white. The sun slipped into the sea and was gone. The sea grew black and huge while the sky continued to glow with sheets of red. One by one, the clouds turned black. Black luminous mountains surrounded the long ships, marching, swirling and hissing. But the stars came out and drew the fleet on.
Ragnar dozed occasionally standing at the gunwale. The first streaks of day lightened up the sky above his head. Ragnar could feel the sun coming up at his back. The fleet sailed on. The wind, which had reduced slightly during the night, picked up again. The long ships leaped forward, eager to conquer.
A cry and then singing went up from the ship nearest Ragnar’s starboard side. A thin black line made a slight hump on the horizon. Ragnar’s blood raced. By midday the coast was in plain sight. Ragnar’s ship took the lead as the fleet approached land, looking for a sandy beach. A lone figure high on the rocks scurried away.
Skirting the coast, Ragnar could not find a protected cove, but as he rounded a craggy point, a strip of beach appeared. The sail was lowered and the long ship rove in through the waves and scraped on the sand. The others followed. The men leaped into the surf and dragged their ships far up the beach to the rocks. They briefly came together. Ragnar gave a few commands and the warriors departed, leaving a rear guard to watch the ships.
A mad pealing of bells came to Ragnar’s ears from down the coast. Ragnar led one group of men straight down the coast and sent the other part inland. Farther down the path, Ragnar’s band came across a flock of sheep which had been deserted by the shepherd. The men began slaughtering the animals, but Ragnar rebuked them sharply. He ordered three men to slaughter enough for one day and pen up the rest. The pealing came nearer and the men caught sight of the small church steeple. In the fields around the village they saw carts and animals left standing. Coming closer, they saw the road clogged with people struggling toward the church.
In a language unfamiliar to Ragnar they were wailing, “From the fury of the Northmen, O God deliver us!” As his helmeted warriors drew near on the run, the panicked villagers rushed and stumbled in their haste to escape. Some had to be pushed away when the heavy doors of the church swung shut. Ragnar’s men cut down the few who tried to resist. Of those who took to flight, they chased down the most able-bodied, and a few men were assigned to march them back to the waiting ships. The church did not stand long. After hacking away for awhile with their broad axes, the Vikings chopped down and trimmed a stout tree, and battered the door down. All who resisted were chopped down by the terrible swords. Ragnar’s men loaded their arms with silver candlesticks and gold cups. These they stuffed into large bags. The booty was sent back to the ships. Ragnar pushed on. The road to the village was littered with debris abandoned by the refugees. The Vikings entered the village without meeting resistance. More goods were seized and returned to the ships.
The march inland to the larger city was long and dusty, but uneventful. Ragnar’s men camped within view of the city as darkness came. the next morning they awoke to find the gated closed, the city quiet and waiting. They had been warned! In a furious attack, Ragnar’s men assailed the high walls. The battle went on for hours. The Vikings were not equipped to conduct a long siege. Finally, Ragnar gave a signal. His men began to turn and run. A great shout went up from within the walls of the city. The gates opened and an army poured out. Ragnar’s men ran faster and faster, but the enemy was gaining. When they were several hundred yards away from the city, Ragnar halted his men in a gulley. The enemy appeared above them, let out a shout and charged down the incline. Ragnar grinned fiercely, for he saw the detached second half of his army silently step from the bushes and line up across the rear of the charging enemy. Ragnar’s men silently formed a wedge and moved toward the charging enemy. The enemy hurled themselves onto Ragnar’s formation with the full weight of their charge. The Vikings wavered, but stood. As the enemy regrouped for a final charge to wipe out the invaders, they looked behind them. Their blood froze. Mad panic gripped them. Some fell to the ground and dropped their weapons. The second half of Ragnar’s army now charged over the same ground the enemy had just covered. In a matter of minutes, it was all over.
With its army destroyed, the undefended walled city fell like a ripe fruit. Ragnar and his men collected a huge amount of money and supplies, which they loaded into wagons. They took additional slaves and headed back toward the ships.
Late in the day Ragnar gave the order to camp. The men were tired. The next morning was filled with jubilation. Soon they would be on their way home, with the richest catch anyone had ever brought back. Then came trouble. A cloud of dust was seen behind them, then another. One moving rapidly, another more slowly -- cavalry leading infantry. Ragnar sent the slaves and wagons ahead at increased speed, keeping only some horses back. After a few hours the enemy cavalry appeared on the plain. Most of Ragnar’s men were walking. There was no place to hide. The enemy charged. Quickly, Ragnar arranged his horses in a circle and had them all killed. His men took their positions behind the still-dying animals. The enemy rushed on. At full tilt, the cavalry charged -- but as the first row attempted to leap over the bulwark of horse carcasses, their own mounts shied, bucked and turned. The riders were all thrown off. The same thing happened to the second row of riders. The horses would not jump over the dead bodies of other horses. The momentum of the enemy cavalry was broken. Now Ragnar’s men charged before the enemy could collect their wits. They unhorsed many and scattered the rest. Then they mounted the captured animals and took off after the wagon train. The loading of the ships was arduous, but without incident. As the men shoved the long ships out into the surf, they laughed to see the enemy infantry appear. All they could do was shout and shake their fists at the disappearing long ships.
Ragnar was happy to be at sea again. To him, the booty and fighting were interesting interludes, but the sea was his life. He longed for home, but at the same time he knew that when he sighted land his heart would sink. Something within him would shrink back and want to return to the open sea.
Ragnar had seen the storm coming for some time. Huge pillars of clouds billowed up into the home of Thor. They were blue-black at the bottom and black mixed with patches of gray at the top. The slanted lines below them told how fast they were traveling, overtaking the long ships. A stronger puff of wind snatched at the sail and Ragnar ordered it to be taken down. The waves began charging like maddened bulls, foaming on top. Then the foam started lifting off, blowing across the surface. The sea was blotted with spray. Then the great wind came. The waves became mountains. Salt water flew like parallel rain. None of the long ships could see another. The black clouds had swallowed them. Thor pounded terribly in the clouds. Ragnar jubilated. His hand gripped the gunwale.
In the end, the long ships won. The black clouds passed on and the long ships emerged from the gray mist. Ahead was the fjord.
----
In the 17th century Denmark was still in near bankruptcy, because of Prussian wars in Holstein and the wars with Sweden. The Prussians also exacted heavy taxes from the Danish royalty. Baron Juvre therefore decided there might be more opportunity for his family and the servants who chose to travel with him. He took with him several head of stock, two carts loaded with food and supplies for the stock and members of the party. One of the carts was loaded with personal possessions and some pieces of furniture. Each was drawn by a horse. Oxen were also used as draft animals. Chickens and ducks were loaded in baskets. Goats, pigs and cows added to the retinue. The baron's tenants followed with their own families and possessions. A small army was moving northward.
Now the wheels have started turning and all are filled with anticipation, curious as to what the following days would bring. It was decided that in order to lighten the load the first few days, four men should walk, alternating each hour with four in the carts.
The first day carried them through forests and hills, grassy valleys and across rivers. As the trail carried them farther west, the terrain became flatter; but as it was necessary to stop to let the stock feed and water, they did not cover the distance expected. Tomorrow they will be well into Schleswig. The terrain along the west coast is flat, and each day rolled along monotonously.
To relieve the boredom, some of the tenants’ sons made up games. They ran and chased each other around the carts, pretending to be Vikings raiding faraway places, as their ancestors had done. Each wanted to be king and order the others about. When they tired of that game, they became knights slaying dragons and rescuing fair damsels.
The baron concentrated on keeping the column moving and maintaining discipline. He was willing to overlook the children’s playfulness. It did not impede progress, and helped lighten the spirits of the other travelers.
After traveling five or six days, the baron began studying the country, looking or a place to settle. Here were beautiful grazing lands that would provide food and water for the stock, but the baron had plans for much expansion, providing work for his family and followers. The king was notified that the baron was leaving Holstein -- after giving up his province. Therefore, he decided to establish himself at Tønder, awaiting word from the king, as to what provinces or castles or manors would be open to him.
He visited and later made his headquarters at Shakenborg Castle about 6 miles west of Tønder. While here he made inquiries concerning larger open areas. He found they would have to travel another 60 miles north, so the entire group had to wait from a messenger from the king as to where they might go.
In the meantime, Hans became acquainted with Kristine Shakenborg. She was a girl of 19 and slight of figure, wearing two long braids of flaxen hair down her back. Her parents were Lord and Lady Shakenborg. The family had been members of the Royal Danish family for generations. They spent much time together, taking long walks along the river just south of Tønder. Both enjoyed the beauty of nature. They strolled under the trees and picked flowers along the banks of the placid river. They fed the graceful swans in the mirror-like pools.
After 10 days, a message was received at the castle, directing the baron to take over the Rosendahl Castle, north of Varde at Rosendahl Oddum Sogn. Arrangements were made to start immediately to proceed northward.
Now the second son asked permission to leave the family and stay in the vicinity. Upon finding that he also had become interested in a girl, the baron gave his permission. Not much was known about this girl, except that she was a commoner and that her father was a fisherman. Her father had emigrated from Italy and settled on the island of Rømø. At the time, the Danish royal family was very friendly with the king of Italy. He wanted the baron’s son to help him on the boat. The son took the family name “Juvare” as his given name. Many long goodbyes were said. It was difficult to leave their new friends, but finally the carts started rolling north again. They traveled along the west coast of Jutland, heading toward their new home.
At Ribe, Denmark’s oldest town, they found moors and good farm lands. Northward they found thick forests with small and large game. They hunted to replenish their supply of food.
At Esbjerg they found a beautiful harbor, and this gave the baron food for further thought on the plan of Frederic IV to save his nearly bankrupt kingdom by promoting agriculture and trade with the British Isles.
Baron Juvre could not have established a barony under King Christian V; however, during the reign of King Frederic IV, arrangements were made to take over this manor in the “Valley of Roses.” The castle and lands had been taken over by the state in bankruptcy, and would now be deeded to the baron by the kingdom. The castle and lands were to be called “Rosendahl,” and the baron and his family were to take that name, including his second son, Juvre, who left the family and established his home on the island of Rømø. Now the old Viking name, “Juvre,” that had been used so many years, would be dropped. Among the old records at Rømø might still be found mention of Rosendahl.
Here is a beautiful valley between the towns of Varde and Tarm. The river Omme Å bordered the northeast and the river Varde Åon the southeast. In this area very little land development had taken place by this time. This provided an excellent opportunity for agriculture and grazing.
Leaving Varde and approaching Ølgod, the baron knew they were now nearing their new home. Ølgod would be their nearest market town to the north. The heather was thick, and all vegetation was beautiful -- especially the prolific growth of roses, indicating fertile land. They didn’t find many trees in this area -- the land having already been cleared for agriculture. there are, however, large forests of pine and white oak nearby.
The baron decided this would be a good place to make camp and familiarize themselves with the area. Everyone was excited to be so near their new home and glad their long journey was almost over. Some had wistful thoughts of the homes they had left, but those were quickly erased by thoughts of the future. They didn't regret leaving a place that was coming more and more under German influence.
Leaving Ølgod and passing by Gundesbol Odum (Ådum) Sogn, the excitement of all was high, as they could now see in the distance the towers of Rosendahl Ådum Sogn. It was a wonderful sight to those who had traveled so far and were travel-weary. Even the horses seemed to sense by the shouts of the travelers that the journey was nearing its end. Several large dogs ran to the head of the column and barked with joy. The women started singing a song that was intended as a welcome song for ships returning from sea.
The children and some of the younger men scrambled from the carts and ran to follow the baron up the 100-yard driveway to the castle, between the two rows of trees. Much like a general leading his troops, the baron led the procession through the archway and into the courtyard.
Then, turning around and facing his followers, his face turned to the heavens, his arms raised:
“Tak, O gud for disse Din mange gave,
“Så må vi tenk på dem som ikke have,
“Mad for sig og sine små at vi har trahg og bod
“Og for mad i frød og ro
“Der i vi din Gudhed kender,
“Og vor tak til dig opsender.
(“Thanks, O God, for these thy many gifts,
“So may we think of those that do not have
“Food for self and their small, that we have need and penance
“And for food with freedom and peace
“Therein we thy Godliness know,
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