The first time we encounter Holger Danske (or Ogier le Danois) is in the French Rolandskvad, La Chanson de Roland, from 1060. Here, Holger Danske is a minor character and appears as one of Charlemagne's warriors.

Holger Danske later becomes the protagonist of the heroic poem La Chevalerie d'Ogier de Danemarche (1200-1215), where he is referred to as the son of Gudfred, King of Denmark and enemy of Charlemagne. Charlemagne takes Holger Danske hostage, but the noble Holger Danske returns and saves France before the decisive battle against the Saracens. After the heroic poem about his great exploits, he is often mentioned in European literature.

Holger Danskes first Danish references

Holger Danske also appears in The Danish Chronicle (manuscript from 1480, first printed in 1509). The story of Holger Danske is told here with several additions, e.g. taken from the folk song Holger Danske og Burmand.

In 1534, the Danish writer and publisher Christiern Pedersen had a translation of a French prose novel about Ogier (1496) printed, entitled Kong Olger Danskis Krønicke. It is this version of the tales of Holger Danske that became the main source of the legends of Holger Danske as known to the Danes. The legends tell of the national hero Holger Danske and his great achievements, as well as how he emerges from his underground hiding place to save the nation if it is in danger.

He's coming to Kronborg

In fact, the legends of Holger Danske became a popular Danish folk book that lived on well into the 19th century. In the legends, Holger Danske appears in several different places in Denmark, but the story is gradually localized to the Kasematterne under Kronborg.

In 1846, a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen also places Holger Danske in the cellars of Kronborg. The fairy tale says that if Denmark is in danger, Holger Danske will draw his sword and defend his homeland.