Frederik 2 - The hedonist

Frederik II builds Kronborg Castle

King Frederik II reigned from 1559 to 1588. He builds Kronborg Castle as a royal luxury residence to impress guests from near and far. At feasts at the castle, guests are treated to gourmet dishes of the time and wine in large quantities. When Frederik II gives a toast, a salute is fired from Kronborg's great cannons. It is an edifice known throughout Europe.

The story of Frederik II and Kronborg Castle

Before he marries, Frederik II wages a grueling war against his rival in Sweden, Erik 14, to determine which kingdom is the most powerful in the Nordic region. However, the seven years of war only narrowly lead to a modest and costly Danish victory. For the rest of his reign, Frederick II focuses on using peaceful means to assert Denmark's leading position in the Nordic region.

He supports the arts and sciences, and he has enough money thanks to the Øresund toll, which all passing ships have to pay at Elsinore. All the revenue went directly into Frederik II's pocket and easily paid for the construction of the magnificent Kronborg Castle, which began in 1574 and lasted 10-12 years. The castle is richly decorated and equipped to host parties full of pomp and splendor. Kronborg becomes so famous that even Shakespeare gets wind of the castle in Elsinore.

In 1572, at the age of 38, Frederick II married his young cousin Sophie, making it one of the happiest royal marriages in Europe. Their relationship became one of the happiest royal marriages in Europe. In the first ten years after their wedding night, they had seven children, and Sophie was always in the king's thoughts.