Egholm, Lejre Municipality

History

Egholm's history reaches back to the 13th century, with remains of a Romanesque castle still visible at the site, believed built for Jacob Nielsen, Count of Halland, a grandson of Valdemar II. A vaulted cellar was excavated in the 1960s. The estate first appears in written records in 1405, owned by Predbjørn Podebusk. In 1419 he passed it to his nephew Henning Podebusk til Skjern, who in 1435 ceded it to Claus Podebusk til Vosborg.

In 1436 Claus passed a share to his sister Gisele Podebusk, who married first Hans Grubendal and then Jens Due Thott; the latter is mentioned as sole owner in 1460. Both marriages were childless. Egholm later went to brothers Eiler and Niels Mogensen Hak, likely as an endowment from Gisele Podebusk and Jens Due, though their relationship is unknown. In 1484 Eiler acquired his brother's share, and after his death in 1501 his widow Anne Nielsdatter owned the estate.

It then passed to their son Christoffer Hak and in 1539 to their daughter Lene Krafse. The Krafse family held Egholm for the next hundred years. In 1640 Otto Krafse sold it to Holger Rosenkrantz, one of the wealthiest noblemen in the country.

On his death in 1647, his son Oluf Rosenkrantz inherited it, expanded the estate by acquiring many tenant farms, and created a new manor named Krabbesholm. In 1671 Egholm was granted birk status, making it an independent jurisdiction. Oluf Rosenkrantz later fell out of favour after opposing the absolute monarchy and was forced to transfer his estates to his daughters and sons-in-law; Egholm went to Mogens Skeel til Fussingø. They had no children, so the estate was endowed to Iver Rosenkrantz, who already owned several other estates.

Egholm Arms Museum

Egholm Museum opened in 2012, housing Ole Falck's collection of firearms and accoutrements. Displays cover Danish and German soldiers from the World War II occupation, followed by British, Russian and American troops, and the Danish resistance. A separate section is dedicated to the Wild West, with a stagecoach, stuffed bison, and antique weapons. The museum also holds historic arms from the 17th century and hunting equipment.

Did You Know?

• The main building is surrounded by moats and has a rounded avant-corps towards the garden.
• The estate includes two Bronze Age burial mounds in Egholm Skov.
• Some buildings on the estate are operated as an equestrian centre.