Lime burners in Gribskov

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Old King Charcoal

By Jette Baagøe, Sproglig student 1965, cand.scient. i naturvidenskab 1973, lic.scient. i botanik 1976. (5 stories)

From the 16th century, the farmers of Gribskov forest in the green and verdant North Zealand had to produce charcoal for the King at the request of the local vassal. They were paid for extra deliveries, however, and their charcoal was also bought by local manufacturers and craftsmen from the capital as well as members of the upper class. Charcoal burning was a lucrative sideline, and after 1658, North Zealand was the exclusive supplier. Charcoal production was hard on the forests, though, and from the early 18th century, legislation was passed to limit the trade. Gradually, imported coal took over, though charcoal was still important – during the wars against England, for instance. From 1795, the smallholders on Karlebo Common began producing charcoal. In fact, one family continued until World War II.

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Burning ambition

Story written by Jette Baagøe

Time / Periode 1500 1700

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According to legend, in 1100 or so abbot Vilhelm brought Belgian charcoal-makers to Æbelholt Abbey to teach Danes the art of burning charcoal. But charcoal has actually been produced in Denmark for almost 4,000 years. Stories that the poor, sooty charcoal burners spent the whole day in the forest stealing timber, drinking heavily and driving like lunatics are also unfounded. People couldn't bring themselves to believe the charcoal burners were truly Danish. The stories whipped up superstitions and legends, and even resulted in novels featuring charcoal burners as main characters, though they were generally despised: We did not get far from Vibenhus because we met the first caravan of charcoal burners...When it was finally... within a suitable distance, the driver lashed out with his four-horse whip and hit him right in the eye," wrote forester Georg Nordklid in his first novel "Kulsvierblod" (charcoal blood) published in 1929. "