Prince Carl's School

Facts

The Prince's village school

By Keld Grinder-Hansen, Cand.mag., Ph.D. (18 stories)

Prince Carl's School, in Store Torøje, is close to Fakse on South Zealand. It was built in 1719, and is one of Denmark's oldest preserved village schools. The small half-timbered house was built for 70 poor children from Store Torøje. Prince Carl and Princess Sophie Hedevig were King Frederik IV's siblings. In the early 18th century, Prince Carl and Princess Sophie Hedevig established a number of schools on their estates. Prince Carl's School is the only one still standing. The school functioned as a school until about 1820 and is now a small school museum.

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Farmers' children must also learn

Story written by Keld Grinder-Hansen

Time / Periode 1719

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Prince Carl did not immerse himself in matters of State. He preferred living out of the limelight on his estates, Jægerspris and Vemmetofte, where he spent his time hunting and breeding horses. He was also strongly influenced by pietism, which encouraged him to become involved in his farmers' living conditions. He focused especially on establishing schools where the children could learn basic skills. He was inspired by Lord Chamberlain Carl Adolf von Plessen. Like the royal family, Plessen was interested in pietism. He built and ran 14 schools on his estates near Næstved. The schools are known as Plessen Schools or Count's Schools.