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Enjoy the summer at the castle
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| The history |
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Kokkedal is a well-preserved medieval castle. The history of the castle goes back to 1016, when Knud the Great conquered England. The castle is best known as the Banner family's castle. Already in the Viking Age, there was a fortress.
The first known owner of Kokkedal Castle, was the Jutlandish aristocratic family called Stenbrikke. Anders Nielsen Banner inherited the castle from his mother. He was member of the Rigsråd and one of the most prominent lord of manor, who also owned Højriis and Asdal. For many years, he was at odds with the king's vassal Lavrids Dan, who killed his ploughman. Banner was also a ruler in North Jutland during the king's trip to Norway in 1486.
Anders Nielsen Banner reconstructed the castle around 1455. His brother, Erik Eriksen Banner, inherited the castle in 1520. Erik Banner also owned Asdal, Højriis, Gjessingholm and Skovshoved. As a jailor for the Swedish king Gustav Vasa, Banner was responsible for the collapse of the Nordic Union. Vasa's escape in 1519 resulted in the loss of the King's grace and a considerable fine. After the Massacre of Stockholm, Erik Banner went over to Frederik I and became a fervent advocate of the teachings of Luther. In 1534, an army of noblemen was led by Erik Banner and Holger Rosenkrantz against the rebellious farmers. The traitor Skipper Clement occupied North Jutland and burnt Kokkedal down. Clements forces were stopped in Aalborg and even though he managed to escape from the bloodbath in Aalborg, Skipper Clement was betrayed by a famer and later executed. The present castle was rebuilt in the 1540's by Erik Banner.
In 1691, Palle Rantzau bought Kokkedal Castle. He was also the owner og Bratskov, married to Ingebord Seefeld. In 1773, counsellor Lars J. Jelstrup, the owner of Gudumlund and Vorgaard, acquired Kokkedal Castle. Jelstrup was described by a guest as a good and polite, old man, who was very hospitable.
Morten Leth Hastrup bought the estate in 1838 . From 1917 until 1923, prince Erik of Denmark owned and lived at the castle. In 1948, the estate was bought by the state and there was established a boarding school.
In 1988, Kokkedal castle was acquired by doctor Ann Lokdam and forest supervisor Gorm Lokdam. The castle was converted into a hotel with restaurant, shop and wine cellar. Prince Joachim was protector during the renovation work at Kokkedal Castle and attended the inaugural ceremony in 1990.
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