Antvorskov Abbey

Facts

Mighty knights

By Johnny Grandjean Gøgsig Jakobsen, Postdoc, Ph.D. Nordisk Forskningsinstitut, KU (13 stories)

In the Middle Ages, Antvorskov Abbey was inhabited by the religious and military Order of St. John, also known as the Knights Hospitaller. Established in 1164 by King Valdemar I and Archbishop Eskil, Antvorskov Abbey became a large landowner in Southwest Zealand. Its Prior served as a member of the Council of State (Rigsrådet) and had great political influence. Antvorskov became the principal Scandinavian abbey of the order. The abbey was allowed to continue for a time after the Reformation in 1536 until it was finally closed in 1590. It was converted into a royal castle and later became the centre of a cavalry district. The castle was demolished in around 1814, and today only the ruins remain.

Public place

Selected entry

Is the Danish flag the Flag of Malta?

Story written by Johnny Grandjean Gøgsig Jakobsen

Time / Periode 1164 1536

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"The military and religious order known as the Order of St. John, or Knights Hospitaller and latterly the Knights of Malta, was linked to the Crusaders. The Scandinavian chapters of the order performed mainly local "hospitalling", that is provided care for the sick, on which a part of the income from the monastic estate was spent, while the rest funded the Crusades in the south. There is every indication that members of the order at Antvorskov were involved in King Valdemar II's crusade to Estonia. It was during this crusade that the Danish flag is said to have fallen from the sky during a battle in Tallin in 1219. It is very likely that the national flag was inspired by the order's flag, now known as the Flag of Malta; a white cross on a red background. And in that way, the Danish flag may actually have been brought to Estonia by monks from Antvorskov."