Thus in 1720 is the beginning of the Rosendahl family: Baron and Baroness Rosendahl (Juvre); their first son, Hans, age 22; the second son, Juvre (who was left to make his home on the island of Rømø); the third son, Christian, age 18; and the fourth son, Nels, age 15.
The baron now makes a pledge to further the desire of King Frederic IV to work hard with members of his household and the former serfs and servants he brought with him from Holstein. Each was given to understand that since the land reform and abolition of serfdom everyone must work harder to produce more. He is very much concerned that his new reform must work, as Denmark abolished serfdom fifty years before any other country. Serfdom was actually observed in Denmark in 1702, but it took many years to emancipate the peasants.
This was later brought about through the efforts of several statesmen. Later, after working in the status of tenants, they would become owners of their respective tracts of land. This was the plan of the king and Baron Rosendahl was determined to work to this end; and he demanded that all proceed with the plan enthusiastically. It had been clear for years that something had to be done, and they were determined to make their country larger without taking land from others. The barren moor would be reforested -- the starved lands fertilized, and the swamps drained. Thousands of acres of new farmland must be reclaimed. Later, each son would be given assignments and responsibilities in each phase of this undertaking. The baron's family (still a part of the royal family) would do their part in the development of the 900-acre estate.
Now the first task facing them is watering the livestock and turning them loose to graze. Christian was to watch the animals grazing. The other two boys with some of the tenants left for the woods to get posts and other material to construct a temporary outside enclosure for the hogs, sheep and cattle. The barnyard would be conveniently located behind the barn and horse stables.
Some of the tenants and their wives helped unload the carts and prepare the living quarters of the landlord in the south tower section of the castle. Others prepared the north tower for the tenants, until their own buildings could be built on their respective plots of ground. Tomorrow a tour of the estate and a division of the acreage would be made. Each tenant was allotted a tract of land to cultivate and divide the products with the landlord -- Baron Rosendahl. The abiIity of the tenant and the number of children he had determined the number of acres in his tract. All will work in the fields of the Rosendahl estate in addition to their own plots.
Rosendahl Castle was now well established as a successful enterprise, both for the landlord and the tenants. The old Rosendahl Castle, built 1620 by King Christian IV for one of his "småkonga" was abandoned in 1650 at the beginning of the reign of Frederic III.
It may be appropriate now to become acquainted with the castle in detail. Although this might might be boring to some, it will give a picture of what was necessary for the improvement of the Rosendahl Estate and increased production and commerce for the Kingdom of Denmark. Many changes and much rebuilding must be done to make it suitable for the Rosendahls and their plans for greater production for both landlord and tenants.
The main gate or arched entrance leads into the courtyard paved with stone. A well with stone walls is in the center. The water for the household and stock had been drawn by pail. Plans are now being made for the construction of a windmill to supply water by the use of a pump. On the left as you enter the archway is a large building constructed of stone with a round tower in the left corner. From front to rear, first were the living quarters for the servants, temporarily to be used by the tenants now. This room includes a stairway leading to sleeping quarters upstairs. Next is the tack room and feed room. Here harnesses and other equipment are kept. A section of this room is equipped for the use of the shoe cobbler and harness maker.
To the rear are stables for eight horses. Above this is the hay loft, which is filled through double doors at the end of the building.
A driveway separates the next building from the castle, placed at right angles and housing the cattle, sheep and poultry. This building is of wood and forms the back of the courtyard. To the rear of this building is the barnyard -- also paved with stone and protected by a stone fence -- or wall. At the end of this building there is also a carriage and equipment shed.
At the right of the arched entrance is the main building with a large and impressive entrance, protected from the weather with rounded stone walls and a roof to form a vestibule. This puts us into a large formal parlor with a beautiful, graceful, circular stairway leading to the banquet hall above, and sleeping quarters for the landlord and his family. A portrait of Christian IV, the builder of the castle, is on the left of the wall. The new tenants now had a mural of Frederic IV painted on the right end of the wall. A large fireplace occupied the back wall between the two murals. Double doors led from the formal parlor to the dining hall, in the corner of which is the king's room. This "office" occupied the corner or tower section. The kitchen is to the rear of the dining hall; to the right of the kitchen is a pantry and storeroom. The rear door leads to a grade entrance and the cellar below. Having no windows, it is dark, damp and cool. Here is stored all food which in our time requires refrigeration -- meat, milk, eggs and vegetables requiring year-round storage.
The tenant buildings were generally of the same simple architecture and construction. Everything was of the greatest simplicity and strictest necessity. A stone fireplace at one end supplied heat in the winter as well as cooking the year round. A large table occupied the center of the room, with a chair on either end and a bench on each side. All the furniture was homemade.
At mealtime a large wooden bowl is placed at the center of the table. Each member of the family has his or her own wooden spoon hanging on a peg on the wall. Their food is plain -- simple, but wholesome and nutritious. The breakfast is gruel or cooked breakfast food such as oatmeal. Other meals are meats and vegetables, soups and stew. Butter, cheese and milk in a generous supply constitute other parts of their nourishing diet. All ingredients are supplied from the earth and prepared for consumption by the tenants. Hunting and fishing also helped supply food.
The tenants now go to their respective tracts, to improve and cultivate -- much of the ground never having produced. This is a period when Denmark must work harder, produce more and practice greater unity between the king's subjects and the government.
The old aristocracy was gradually losing power and influence in the government. Frederic IV was agreeable to giving more power and responsibility to his followers. This feeling grew increasingly in the short reign of Christian VI and the following periods. Several Danish writers were prolific to further this feeling. Their main purpose appeared to be to influence everyone to greater efforts in the thoughts and deeds to improve and advance the economy, education and religion of the kingdom. These writers, Werner Abrahamson, 1744-1812; Edward Storm, 1749-1794; Christian H. Pram, 1756-1821 and others were to have a great effect. Educators and religious leaders were also instrumental in persuading and encouraging former serfs, tenants and workers of the lower classes. They suffered as well as the nobles by harder work and greater efforts to benefit themselves in their service to the landlords and to the kingdom.
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