Denmark | Page 8

he sits "in the deep dark cellar of
Kronborg Castle, into which none may enter. He is clad in iron and
steel, and rests his head on his strong arms; his long beard hangs down
upon the marble table, into which it has become firmly rooted; he
sleeps and dreams. But in his dreams he sees all that happens in
Denmark. On each Christmas Eve an angel comes to him and tells him
all he has dreamed is true, and that he may sleep again in peace, as
Denmark is not yet in real danger. But should danger ever come, then
Holger Danske will rouse himself, and the table will burst asunder as
he draws out his beard. Then he will come forth in all his strength, and
strike a blow that shall sound in all the countries of the world."
Holger Danske was the son of the Danish King Gotrick. While he was a
youth his father sent him to Carolus Magnus, whom he served during
all his wars. Thus he came to India, where he ate a fruit which made his
body imperishable. When Denmark is near ruin, and all her young men
have been slain in defending her, then Holger Danske will appear, and,
gathering round him all the young boys and aged men, will lead them

on to victory, routing the enemy, and thus saving the country. When a
little plant growing in the Lake of Viborg has become a tree, so large
that you can tie your horse to it, then the time draws near when all this
will happen.
Once upon a time the Danes were in great trouble, for they had no King.
But one day they saw a barque, splendidly decked, sailing towards the
coast of Denmark. As the ship came nearer the shore they saw it was
laden with quantities of gold and weapons, but not a soul was to be
seen on board. When the Danes boarded the ship, they found a little
boy lying asleep on the deck, and above his head floated a golden
banner. Thinking that their god Odin had sent the boy, they brought
him ashore and proclaimed him King. They named him Skjold, and he
became a great and good King. His fame was such that the Danish
Kings to this day are called "Skjoldunger." When this King died, his
body was placed on board a ship which was loaded with treasure; and
when it sailed slowly away over the blue water, the Danes stood on the
shore looking after it with sorrow. What became of the ship no one ever
knew.
Denmark is rich in legends. There is the legend about the "Danebrog,"
Denmark's national flag, which is a white cross on a crimson ground.
This bright and beautiful flag looks thoroughly at home whatever its
surroundings. The story goes that when Valdemar Seir (the Victorious)
descended on the shores of Esthonia to help the knights who were hard
pressed in a battle with the heathen Esthonians (1219), a miracle befell
him. The valour of his troops soon made an impression on the pagans,
and they began to sue for peace. It was granted, and the priests baptized
the supposed converts. Very soon, however, the Esthonians, who had
been secretly reinforcing while pretending submission, in order to
throw dust in the eyes of the too confiding Danes, brought up their
forces and commenced fighting anew. "It was the eve of St. Vitus, and
the Danes were singing Vespers in camp, when suddenly a wild howl
rang through the summer evening, and the heathens poured out of the
woods, attacked the surprised Danes on all sides, and quickly thinned
their ranks. The Danes began to waver, but the Prince of Rugen, who
was stationed on the hill, had time to rally his followers and stay the

progress of the enemy. It was a terrible battle. The Archbishop Andreas
Sunesen with his priests mounted the hill to lay the sword of prayer in
the scales of battle; the Danes rallied, and their swords were not blunt
when they turned upon their enemies. Whilst the Archbishop and others
prayed, the Danes were triumphant; but when his arms fell to his side
through sheer weariness, the heathens prevailed. Then the priests
supported the aged man's arms, who, like Moses of old, supplicated for
his people with extended hands. The battle was still raging, and the
banner of the Danes had been lost in the fight. As the prayers continued
the miracle happened. A red banner, with the Holy Cross in white upon
it, came floating gently down from the heavens, and a voice was heard
saying, 'When this sign is borne on high you shall conquer.' The tide of
battle turned, the Christians gathered themselves together under the
banner of