Leonora Christina – a Living Legend
Even in her own lifetime Leonora Christina was a legend. She was born at Frederiksborg Castle in 1621 as the favourite daughter of King Christian IV, but ended her life in a remote cloister after many years of imprisonment.
At the age of nine Leonora Christina was engaged to Corfitz Ulfeldt, who came to play a paramount role as the leading member of the Government and the King’s right-hand man.
Critical voices soon accused Ulfeldt of corruption and high treason and especially after the death of Christian IV his position went from bad to worse. It culminated in 1662 when he was sentenced to death by Leonora Christina’s half-brother, Frederik III. While her husband escaped the Danish authorities Leonora Christina was captured and degraded to 22 mortifying years of imprisonment in the Blue To- Leonora Christina, Karel van Mander, c. 1642
wer at Copenhagen Castle.
It remains unsure to what extend she was involved in her husbands treachery. Her many years of imprisonment, however, was due to a profound and reciprocal hatred to Frederik III and not least his wife, Queen Sophie Amalie. Leonora Christina was not released until the death of Sophie Amalie.
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Leonora Christina’s Crucifix, Saint painted on parchment in decorative
Georg Petel, c. 1628 frame, executed by Leonora Christina
It was in the Blue Tower that Leonora Christina wrote her famous autobiography Memory of Woe (Jammers-Minde), in which she heroically declares herself and her husband innocent and victims of Frederik III’s hatred. At Frederiksborg Castle her original handwritten manuscript forms part of a commemorating display of her life. During the long days in the prison cell she did not only occupy herself with writing, but also with different kinds of handwork. The museum holds a number of her personal belongings. Among them are little boxes, pearls and paintings, some of them executed by Leonora Christina herself. The collection also includes miniature portraits of Corfitz Ulfelt as well as an altar cloth on which Leonora Christina in a poem expresses her gratefulness for her regained freedom.
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