Riborg Lauridsdatter Brockenhuus

Egeskov Castle, thirty miles outside of the city of Odense in Denmark, is a most picturesque, though forbidding place. Its tall turrets silhouetted against a blue sky, the moat that completely surrounds the thick, stone walls, and the magnificent gardens throughout the area present the visitor with one of the greatest tourist attractions in Denmark.

I shall never forget the day when I stood alongside the castle, gazing at a very small window high up in the wall. I shuddered when I thought of the awful tragedy that had taken place in the tiny room behind that window.

The original builder was said to be a Dutchman named Martin Bussart, but the castle ultimately became the home of Frands Brockenhuus, the governor of the province.

His son, Laureds, who inherited the place after his father's death, was educated at a university and ultimately became the chancellor there. He had the reputation of being enormously strong, pious, and quick-tempered.

His daughter, Rigborg, unfortunately drew his undying anger, and her pathetic situation attracts the sympathy of every woman.

She had been seduced by Frederick Rosenkrantz of Rosenvold and gave birth to his child. When this became known, the king of Denmark-a friend of Frederick's-became infuriated, and ordered Rigborg's guardian to imprison her for life.

She was placed in her room and the door was walled in. A small opening was left so that her food could be pushed through to her. She stayed in that prison from the year 1599 until her father died in 1604

After his death, Rigborg's mother released her. Four years later she was permitted to attend a church service.

She died in 1641. Today, that very small window high in the castle wall bears mute testimony to the harsh, brutal punishments of an earlier age. Mercy was almost unknown when law sat upon the throne.