Øster Velling church/ Øster Velling kirke, Middelsom herred, Viborg amt.

Øster Velling church, ab. 10 km west of Randers.

Øster Velling parish, Middelsom herred, Viborg amt. 

The church without a tower in Øster Velling has a choir and nave and a new porch on the nort side. The older sections: the choir and nave origin from the Romanesque period, built in granite ashlars upon a bevelled plinth, but the church was in 1875 rebuilt because of dilapidation, but with use of old material -  and inaugurated 2 january 1876. The porch seems also to have been renewed in 1875, it was rebuilt again in 1940. The three Romanesque windows of the north side are undoubtedly of Romanesque origin, but extended in the lighting. The north door with old kragsten is still in use, but partly renewed.

The inside of the church got its new look in 1875; it has a beamed ceiling, while the choir was remade again in 1940-41, when a new brickfloor was laid. The altar section is from this last restoration with a table of yellow bricks and above this a crucifix group, made by J.Th. Skovgaard. The former altar decoration, a crucifix from 1875, hangs upon the wall. Three Gothic Saint-figures in wood, found at the loft of the porch, was sent to the National Museum in 1940. A Romanesque granite font with male heads and foliage. The strange square-sided pulpit with winding columns and double fields with sawn balusters is in Renaissance from ab. 1600. In front of this an old parish clerk stool with carved year 1588. The bell without inscription in a hole in the gable, is from early Middle Ages. In the west wall of the nave is inserted a gravestone for Søren Pedersen Velling (+ 1624). In the north wall of the choir a stone for parish priest H.M.Berg. (+ 1787) .

At the rebuild of the church was found a piece of a runestone, now in the National Museum, the only left of the inscription is " -- Thorg-- ".


 
















Øster Velling birk: (judicial)  the king had already in Valdemars Jordebog considerable estate in "Wæling". Later it became a special vasalry, which by queen Margrethe I was leased to Stig Andersen (this must be Stig Andersen Hvide). Around 1500 Erik Ottesen Rosenkrantz was the vasal, after him his son-in-law Predbjørn Podebusk. 5 September 1569 Ø.Velling birk was deeded to Erik Podebusk, it consisted of 13 farms in Øster Velling, Velling Mølle, Torup and Madegård. If Erik Podebusk died without heirs, his wife must keep the vasalry for life, whereafter it again had to go to the Crown. Since the married couple had no children, the king took over the birk. Ab. 1680 the Thing was held at Helstrup mark (field) by the road to Randers. 

 
Listed prehistorics: 7 hills and two petroglyph-stones which were found in the demolished Mandbjerghøj close to Velling Vandmølle (water mill), one stone has several small circles of which some are rewritten with ovals.
Demolished or destroyed: 20 hills, Mandbjerghøj contained a grave from early Bronze Age with sword and belt with gold plate. 


Names in the Middle Ages: Øster Velling (1231 Wæling, 1355 Østerwælyngh).




Source: Trap Danmark, Viborg amt, 1962.

photo: borrowed from Google earth 2013, gb.

Brejninggård and Brejning church / Brejning kirke, Bølling herred, Ringkøbing amt.

 















The eastern wing of Brejninggård, built ab. 1580 by the nobleman Hans Lange, is one of the prettiest manor buildings in Denmark. The gate-wing displays a unique terra-cotta decoration in the facade. Brejninggård is now furnished into a high school , but there is public access to the yard and the garden.

Modern wings were built in 1942 and 1958 by the competent architect Helge Holm, and they suit the original Renaissance-plan well. The whole building is white-washed with red tiled roofs. The unique terracotta decoration on the east wing is the largest attraction of this manor. Brejninggård represents the original Italian ideal with a main emphasis on the decoration instead of the fortification which is seen in other manors. The facade shows some similarity to the manor Vorgård in North Jutland and the famous garden-house Pirkentavl at Rosenholm manor on Djursland. The ideal of Brejninggård might be the terracotta-ornamented North German city-houses. In Mecklenburg is a terracotta-decoration at the castle Gadebusch, built ab. 1570, which shows a similarity to Brejninggård.

The main building is listed in class A. Its terracotta-decoration makes it unique in the architectural history of Denmark, but it has been strangely neglected by contemporary architecture-historians.

Brejninggård belonged before the reformation to Ribe bishopric and was in 1457 and 1464 endowed to væbner Laurids Rød. In 1536 it came to the Crown, which in 1537 pawned it to Johan Stage, but in 1544 sold it to Gunde Lange (+ 1564). After this it belonged to the son Hans Lange of Kærgård (+1609), whose sons Tyge and Gunde Lange owned it together, until Tyge Lange died unmarried in 1614. In 1646 Gunde Lange of Kølbygård sold it to his brother Peder Lange of Kærgård (+ 1661), whose son Jørgen Lange in 1661 conveyed it to his wife-to-be jomfru Dorthe Galde. In 1665 it belonged to her brother-in-law Knud Skinkel ( + childless 1669), whose brother Morten Skinkel (+ childless 1679) took over the farm, which by his widow Helle Urne of Estvadgård (+ 1688) in an exchange 1682 came to his paternal aunt jomfru Ide Skinkel, who in 1683 transferred it to colonel Laurids Munk of Merløsegård (+ 1702). His widow Barbara Hedevig v. Dragsted ( + 1709) conveyed it in 1708 to Chr.Ulrich Schultz of Viumgård (+ 1709), whose son-in-law Steffen Nielsen of Endrupholm ( 1719 ennobled with the name Ehrenfeldt) in 1718 conveyed it to his sister's son Johannes Müller of Lunderup, who sold it at an auction in 1726 to Chr. Siegfried Enholm (later of Marsvinslund, + 1769). He sold it in 1754 to ritmester Hans Nicolai Hoff (later of Silkeborg, + 1806), who in 1760 conveyed it to baron Chr. Fr. Juul of Rysensteen, who lived at the farm, but in 1771 sold it to amtmand Peter de Albertin of Slumstrup, (+ 1779), whose widow Cathrine Kirstine Folsach owned it until her death 1812. ( she sold much of the property in 1794).

Later owners: Chr. H. Bonne, N. Nyholm of Haraldskær, H.S. and N.H. Frandsen, H.S. Albrechtsen, Statens Jordlovsudvalg ( outparcelling); School in main building since 1942 .

A Swan-family in the yard at Brejninggård

Brejning church
The large Brejning church has a choir with a three-winged finish, a nave and tower to the west and a porch at the north door. The center in the very mixed-together building are the sidewings of the choir and the nave, built in the Romanesque period in granite ashlars. In the long walls of the nave is a round-arched Romanesque window. The north-door is preserved, while each trace of the south door has vanished. In the late Middle Ages was the porch built with very heavy wealls in monk bricks. The broad tower is also from late Gothic period, built in re-used ashlars at the bottom and monk bricks above; it is best preserved at the north side, while the other sides are face-walled in ab. 1759. The bottom tower room is vaulted and opens in an arcade to the nave. The choir was rebuilt in the Renaissance-period, probably in 1581, since this year and the names Hans Lange and Johanne Schram and their coat of arms are written on clay tablets in the eastern wall. At the same time the old Romanesque triumph-wall disappeared between nave and choir, and the church was now in one room with a beamed ceiling.

Upon the bricked communion table stands an altar piece from ab. 1600-1610, painted 1876, now restored like the other wood-work in 1931. The altar-candelabres from ab. 1700. A Romanesque font with a rope-winded bulb. A large brass bowl from 1700. A large late Gothic choir-arch crucifix. The pulpit at the north side is from the beginning of the 1600s, in Renaissance, but with decorations from 1698. The manor-stools are from the end of the 1500s and has the names and coat of arms of Hans Lange and Johanne Schram. A confessional with grating and the year 1647, decorated in 1698. The upper pews have a front-panel with apostel-paintings, they origin from a gallery, which was earlier in the church. Portrait painting of Chr. Ulrich Schultz of Brejninggård and his wife and children. In a restoration in 1960-61 were found medieval coins, from Erik Menved to up til Chr. X.  

Listed prehistorics: Two passage graves, a longhill and 58 hills. One of the passage graves at Rudmose has a chamber with 10 supporting stones, but no cover stone; the other southeast of Brejninggård has 8 supporting stones and 44 edge stones, and it brought several finds, especially ceramics. Some of the hills are rather large, like Krathøj, just east of Krattet, 3 of 4 Ravnsbjerghøje, which are placed at the parish-border to Nr. Omme, and a hill southeast of Brejninggård.
Demolished or destroyed: one passage grave, a long dolmen and 133 hills.

A petroglyph-stone was found with a wheel-cross at Brejning. A settlement from early Roman Iron Age is known from Spjald.

Source: Trap Danmark, Ringkøbing amt, 1965.
photo June 2003: grethe bachmann

Fur church / Fur kirke, Harre herred, Viborg amt.

Fur Church, ab. 27 km north of Skive
Fur sogn, Harre herred, Viborg amt




The long church - which is inaugurated to St. Morten (Martin) has a Romanesque nave and a choir with apse. In 1166 the bishop in Viborg confirms to the pope that his predessesor more than 40 years ago recieved Fur church as a gift from three of the founders. That is to say that the church was built before 1126. There are names of three founders which is rather unusual. The church is the first parish church in Viborg amt (district) which was known to belong to Viborg domkapitel. (chapter)

The nave is in granite and redstone ashlars, while the choir and apse are in redstone. The tower and porch are late Gothic. The 22 high tower is granite ashlars at the bottom section and monkbricks at the upper section.High upon the wall is a stone with a carved human face. A free stairway and a highplaced door upon the northside gave access to the upper storey. The porch is in ashlars and monk bricks. The nave was probably extended already in the Romanesque period. The Romanesque apse window and two windows in the northside of the nave are in use. The north door with a tympanum is extended while the south door has disappeared.

The altar piece is Late Gothic and was set aside for some years, where it was replaced by a crucifix-painting which is now placed above the entrance door. In 1949 the old side wings with the twelve apostles was restored and brought back to the altar. In the middle field was placed a copy of a medieval crucifix. Altar candle sticks from the 1500s with little lion figures as feets.
The Romanesque granite font is created by an English master mason with relief-carved animal- and human figures and foliage. The baptismal dish is the Nürnberg-type from about 1550-75 with engraved initials ASS-IPD-MTS. The pulpit is Renaissance from the beginning of the 1600s. Upon the upper stool gables is the year 1645 and the initials KHDA (priest's wife Karen Henriksdatter Arctander). A large chandelier from 1703.



Names in the Middle Ages and 1600s:
Fur (* 1100s Phur, *1200s Fuur); Hvirp (1664 Huirp); Nederby (1664 Nederbye); Madsbad (1664 Maszbai); Debel (* 1440 Dibbel, 1664 Debbell); Engelst (* 1440 Engelsz, 1683 Engelst); Vojel (*1440 Ochelsz, 1664 Woiel); Præstegårde (1532 Prestegordt); Sundgårde (1664 Sunde); Lundgårde (*1410 Lundegordt); Grisselgårde (*1440 Greszved, 1664 Griszelgaard); Kønsborg
(1683 Kønigsbierg); Bjergegård (*1420 Beregard); Dalsgård (1683 Daels Gaard).

Hr. Jens Andersen had in 1279 to endowe the estate at Fur - which he had bought from Peder Rød - to provst (rural dean )Troels of Viborg. Mikkel Ågesen Vendelbo of Fur is mentioned in 1319, his son Jens Mikkelsen Vendelbo of Fur 1365. His daughter Maren gave in 1410 her paternal main farm Lundgård and all the other estate at Fur to Viborg domkapitel (chapter). The main farm at Fur and Fur Church was placed by ærkedegnen (arch dean),while Lundgård and the now disappeared Vargård was placed by the cantor.

After the reformation Ivar Krabbe of Østergård (se article Østergård Manor) tried in vain to have Lundgård awarded in 1549. In 1696 it was a ryttergods (horses/estate). In 1718 the king endowed Lundgård and most of the island Fur to Niels Ibsen of Tvis Kloster - in 1731 it belonged to Andreas Kjærulff of Bjørnsholm and after him various owners, until it in 1807 was sold to the inhabitants of Fur by Thyge Thygesen.

In the middle of the 1400s was manetioned a farm Vargård (*1440 Wargaard).

One of Denmark's largest settlements from the viking period is at Nederby village. Close to Svenskehulen (Swedish Cave) and the Red Stone is Emmelestene, a long barrow - in the old days named Kæmpegrav (Giant Grave). It is 64 m long and 8 m broad. An arrow (like the arrows found at Bromme) is about 12.500 year old. At Verdens ende (End of the World) are in excavations found Bronze Age house-sites. Detector findings show that the old Furboere (inhabitants of Fur) were not dressed in sackcloth and ashes, but wore fine cloth from all of Europe, from France in the south to Poland in the east.

There are 24 gravehills at the island, the largest is Manhøj and Odinshøj. The 4 Smediehøje and the 2 Stendalhøje are placed beautifully in a high area. In a hill at Debel was found a Bronze Age sword and the cover stone over the stone dolmen was filled with cup-shaped hollows. At Manhøje was a big flat stone which was covered with engraved cup-shaped hollows and stylized figures. The stone is today considered on of Denmarks finest helleristningssten (petroglyph stones). The original is at the National Museum ; a copy at Fur Museum.

Møllehøj is owned by Fur Museum with public access. The hill had traces from the half part of the small weather mills which is excavated in Denmark. It is surrounded by granite boulders and in the middle of the hill is an ab. 4.500 year old burial chamber built in wood.

3 small kitchen middens are known from Færker Hede (moor) - and from Stone Age are some settlements at the island, fx one by Engelst. Close to this village is also found a depot of 13 broad flint axes and 7 flint daggers. A settlement with house remains from Irone Age is found close to Smediehøjene.

Thousands of prehistoric things and detectorfindings are found in the fields at Fur. The exhibition at Fur has among other things jewels from Germanic Iron Age and Viking period and seals and signet rings from the 1600s. The geological exhibition is a unique collection of fossils. Link: Fur Museum


Rødstenen (the person is 182 cm tall)

Rødstenen (The Red Stone) is a rock in one of the valleys from where a nature path leads to other special places on the island. A part of the surface of the red stone is covered in rare species of lichen which gives it a grey colour. That's why it is also named Gråstenen. The material rødsten was used in building of among others Fur Church and Viborg Cathedral.

A legend is attached to a hole in the red stone, which was said to be the home of the dragon. A brave young guy dared to go into the dragon's den. He kept on walking and then he heard hammer strokes like it came from a smitty. Another legend tells that people tried to measure the cave. They tied a rope to a small boy and hoisted him down in the cave through the narrow opening, but when they pulled up the rope again, it had burnt and the poor boy had disappeared. A third legend says Bjergmanden (the mountain troll) lives in the cave; the same man who once told Valdemar Atterdag his fortune. And in a hollow in the hills is a place named Røverstuen where the robbers once lived. And that is very true!



Upon the northern part of Fur the moler comes to the surface. This over 50 million years old moler stretches along Limfjorden all the way from Fur to the northern part of the island Mors and down to Ertebølle in Himmerland. This is the only place where moler is found in the world, and it is a favorite place for geologists. It is also a perfect place for enthusiastic tourists who want to search for fossils. The island Fur is visited by ten thousands of tourists every year.

Source: Trap Danmark, Viborg amt, 1962.


photo Fur kirke & Fur, 2005: grethe bachmann