The Knights’ Hall (room 21)
The beautiful Knights’ Hall was completed in 1624. The hall was designed as a ballroom and was originally called ‘the long hall’. It saw fairly limited used after 1700. It was not until the Romantic era – the period from the late 18th century – that the hall became known as the Knights’ Hall.
The most beautiful room at Rosenborg
The presence of history
When you enter the beautiful Knights’ Hall, you can feel the presence of history. The magnificent hall extends in the full length of the castle, and you should remember to look up to see the many details in the beautiful ceiling. The ceiling you see in the Knights’ Hall today dates from the early 18th century and was created as part of the modernisation undertaken by Frederik IV.
During the 1690s, Christian V undertook a partial renovation of the hall, including the hanging of 12 tapestries, known as the Rosenborg tapestries, which show Christian V’s victories during the Scanian War (1675–1679). Not surprisingly, there is a similar series of tapestries in Sweden depicting the Swedish victories in the same war. During the 1920s, the tapestries were moved to Christiansborg Palace, but they were returned to Rosenborg in 1999. Instead, the Great Hall at Christiansborg was decorated with a series of tapestries with scenes from Danish history, drawn by Bjørn Nørgaard. The Christiansborg tapestries were a birthday gift to HM Queen Margrethe II, and they have hung at Christiansborg Palace since 2000.
The national coat of arms and the anointing throne
In the middle of the ceiling in the Knights’ Hall, which was installed in 1709, you can see the national coat of arms encircled y the Orders of the Elephant and Dannebrog. Along the sides are depictions of political events during the early years of the reign of Frederik IV, including the abolition of serfdom and the establishment of the dragoons and the militia. The monumental ceiling paintings showing the crown, the orb, the sword and the sceptre were created by Hendrik Krock, court painter to Frederik IV and Christian VI.
The end walls feature symbols of the four continents of Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.
In the Knights’ Hall, you can see the anointing throne of the absolute kings. In its time, it was said to be made of unicorn horn, but in fact, the material is narwhal tooth. Next to it stands the queen’s throne in silver.
Objects in the room
If you are at the museum, you can admire the fascinating objects in the room and read more about them below.
The descriptions are brief and generally do not include images. They are intended as an added resource if you would like more detailed information about an item, such as who made it, its origin and its meaning.
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2101The coronation chair of the Danish kings, made of narwhal tusks by Bendix Grodtschilling 1662 1671: the gilt figures were made by J. Kohlmann and added in Christian V's time. Used at coronations from 1671-1840.
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2102The silver coronation chair of the Danish queens; made for Queen Sophie Magdalene by Niels Jonsen of Copenhagen in 1731.
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2103Velvet canopy. Reconstruction with gold tassels and fringes from two portable canopies, used in connection with the anointing ceremonies in the 18th century.
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2104Three lions of chased silver, made l665 1670 in Copenhagen by Ferdinand Küblich. Used on solemn occasions right up to the present time as guards around the throne and the Royal catafalque.
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2105
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2111Silver baptismal font, partly gilt. At the bottom there is a relief representing the baptism of Christ. Since 1671 used at the baptism of all the Royal princes and princesses. Hamburg work, made by Christian Mundt II, and foot by Gödert Botstede.
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2112Table on stand of carved, gilded wood with Frederik III's monogram from c. 1650. The top is of imitation marble with indistinct signature: BN, possibly for Franciscus Bruno Napolitanus?
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2113Silver cup representing the celestial globe, crowned by Zeus and borne by Neptune. Hinrich Lambrecht II, Hamburg c. 1650.
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2116Silver guéridons: * Silver guéridons: Four tall guéridons made in Augsburg 1739-40 by Philipp Jacob (VI) Drentwett and Bernhard Heinrich Weye, after J.F. Blondel, 1735. Stood in Christian VI's Audience Chamber at Christiansborg. * To these belong the four ten armed candelabra, altered in 1752 by Nicolai Langermann in Copenhagen. * Four guéridons, marked with the monogram of Princess Sophie Caroline of Ostfriesland, sister of Queen Sophie Magdalene, made in 1733 and 1736 by Ole Flores Wilcken in Copenhagen. * Four guéridons with the crowned monogram of Princess Charlotte Amalie, made in Copenhagen, two by Carsten Hufnagel in 1732 and two by Ole Flores Wilcken in 1736.
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2117Six armchairs and twelve high backed chairs with monogram of Frederik IV; made to this room in 1718 by Johan Weys; the covers were embroidered by Queen Charlotte Amalie and her ladies. Two of the covers are signed: F.E. 1699 and 1700.
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2118The battle at Øland on 1 June 1676, where the Swedish fleet lost its three largest men-of-war. In the centre the flagship “Kronan” is sinking, while being shelled by the “Christianus Quintus”. To the right the “Svärdet” surrenders and to the left “Äpplet” runs aground.
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2119The landing at Raa (south of Helsingborg), 29 June 1676. In the foreground, the transport fleet, and close to the coast of Scania, the escorting warships.
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2120The conquest of Marstrand and the fortress Karlsten (north of Gothenburg) on 23 July 1677. I the foreground Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, Christian V’s half-brother and Norway’s governor receiving the letter of surrender.
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2121The battle at Møen on 1 June 1677. In the foreground two small warships, a Danish ship with a sharpshooter approaching the survivors of the “Calmar Castel” which the Swedes, contrary to the rules of law, had tried to sink.
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2122The capture of Landskrona’s citadel on 4 August 1676. In the centre Christian V and the commander-in-chief Johan Adolf of Plöen. In the background the fortress and to the left the silhouette of Copenhagen under which two gentlemen enjoy a pinch of snuff.
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2123The conquest of Wismar on 13 December 1675. In the foreground to the left Christian V accepts the surrender of the city. To the right, below the hill, Queen Charlotte Amalie in a carriage.
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2124The capture of Helsingborg on 3 July 1676. Christian V is seen in the foreground (wearing a hat); on his right, his brother Prince Jørgen. The tower of the Helsinborg Castle is seen through the smoke and Kronborg just visible on the other side of the Sound.
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2125The conquest of Christianstad in 15 August 1676. To the right Christian V on horseback followed by Prince Jørgen. In the background the city with the Trinity Church, built by Christian IV.
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2126The descent on Rügen on 17 September 1677. In the centre to the right Christian V’s “Fridericus Tertius”, to the left the Dutch admiral general Tromp’s pennant.
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2127The conquest of Damgarten on 6 October 1675. To the left Christian V pointing towards Damgarten with his fieldmarshal’s baton. Damgarten used to control the entrance to the Swedish possessions in Pomerania. To the right Prince Jørgen.
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2128The battle in Køge Bay on 1 July 1676 where admiral Niels Juel conquered a superior Swedish fleet through a bold manoeuvre. To the right the symbolic fight between the Swedish ship “Mars” and the Danish “Tre Løver”.
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2129The conquest of Landskrona on 11 July 1676. In the centre Christian V, to the right Prince Jørgen and to the left commander-in-chief of the army Frederik Arenstorff. In the background Landskrona.
