591173383

Hocskilde.

Derives its name from R oc, a King ivho reigned in the sixth Century, ami Kilde, the Danish word for a well, or spring; it is situated four miles west from Copenhagen, ami is one of the most ancient towns in Denmark. For many Centuries, this was the Capital, and the residence of the Royal sovereigns; the prosperity of this town was once so great, that it consisted of twenty parish churches, thirteen cloisters, and more than one hundred thousand inhabitants; it continued to flourish until the 14th Century, but in 1443 nearly the whole town was destroyed by fire, when the King removed and took up his residence in the present Capital, which was at that time daily increasing in prosperity; after the reformation,the town of Rocskildc sunk rapidly into its present insignificancy. Its magnificent Cathedral was finished in the Gothic style of architecture in the year 1084; it is a Majestic building, and was erected by Bishop William, an Eng­ lishman (as many of the clergy of Denmark at that time were), who had been Chancellor, and confessor to Canute the Great. i , It is now appropriated as a burial place for the H°yal families of Denmark; among the most remar-

Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog