Christian IV’s Bedchamber (room 4)
This bedchamber was one of Christian IV’s private chambers. This is where he passed away, on 28 February 1648.
Christian IV in his private moments
Christian IV's death
Christian IV passed away in this room, on 28 February 1648. Normally, Christian IV did not go to Rosenborg during the winter months. However, around 21 February 1648, when it was clear that The King was dying, he requested to be transported – by sled – from Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød to Rosenborg in Copenhagen. The only reason for this rather long and very cold journey was that Christian IV wished to end his days here, in his small favourite castle.
On 27 February, The King confirmed his Christian faith and received a final blessing and holy communion. At five o’clock the following afternoon, 28 February, he quietly passed away right here, in room. His daughter Leonora Christina and her husband, Corfitz Ulfeldt, were with him during his final hours. Above Christian IV’s bed was a canopy, hanging from a hook in the ceiling. You can still see the hook today.
During and after Christian IV’s time
Like the Winter Room and the Writing Room, the Bedchamber was Christian IV’s personal chamber. As a rather exceptional feature for the time, Christian IV had an ensuite bath and toilet in connection with the Bedchamber.
The objects you can see in the room today all belonged to Christian IV. The wall panelling and doors also date to the time of Christian IV, although the frames around them were originally decorated with painted flowers.
During the 1660s, Frederik III and Sophie Amalie, who were both very fashion-conscious, had the woodwork decorate in trendy ‘Chinese’ style while they lived at the castle. The green lacquered panels are decorated with line drawings in gold depicting landscapes, boats and interiors, based on descriptions of China from the time and older Chinese novels.
Objects in the room
If you are physically at the museum, you can admire the outstanding objects and read more about them below.
Please note that these descriptions are brief and often without images. They serve as an additional resource for those who wish to gain more knowledge about each object, such as who created them, their origin, and significance.
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Ear ornaments
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300Ebony mirror with rich silver ornaments, the Queen’s monogram, and the medallions of King Christian IV and his Queen, made by Nicolaus Svabe.
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301Table inlaid with silver and mother of pearl. Love scenes and allegorical representations engraved on silver plates (from H. Goltzius and D. Vinckboons). The silver plates engraved by Simon de Pas, c. 1624?
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302Christian IV. Half length, by Karel van Mander.
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303
* Christian IV's blood stained clothes from the naval battle of Kolberger Heide, 1st July 1644: a black and purple jerkin of silk velvet with a blood stained lace collar and cuff. Right shoulder pierced by bullet. * Cap of coloured silk with Tønder lace. Lining marked C 4 and 1642. Pierced by shot. * The King's blood stained handkerchief, embroidered with C 4 1644. Embroidered cap of pale green satin; a piece of green taffeta has been fastened to it serving as a patch for the King's blinded eye. * Shirt with lace border; embroidered with C 4 1644. * Rapier with silver-plated iron hilt. On the pommel: VHZSH (Ulrich, Duke of [Herzog zu] Schleswig Holstein, Christian IV’s youngest son). On the blade: Juan Martinez En Toledo Espadero del Rei. The Netherlands c. 1620-1630. * Pillow case with Tønder lace, blood-stained embroidered with C4. * A pair of eardrops in the form of enamelled white hands, which hold a piece of bronze and a piece of iron; fragments of a burst Danish cannon and a Swedish ball which were removed from the King's forehead and eye after the naval battle of Kolberger Heide. Worn by Vibeke Kruse.
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304Christian IV on his death bed. Painted by Bernt Hilwaerts, 1648.
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305Chest with iron mountings bearing the intertwined names of Christian IV and Queen Anne Cathrine and the date 1599.
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307Chinese porcelain figures; placed in this room in the time of Queen Charlotte Amalie.
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308Prince Christian, the Prince Elect. Painted on wood by Karel van Mander 1642.
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309The Prince Elect's consort, Magdalena Sibylla, born Princess of Electoral Saxony. Painted on wood by Karel van Mander, 1642.
