Danehof
Encyclopedia
Danehof was the name of the Danish medieval parliament
which played a certain role between c. 1250 and 1413.
The precondition of the Danehof – like that of the Håndfæstning
- was the growing power and opposition among the Danish magnates after 1250. They wanted limitations of the royal power, especially of its right of legislation and taxation. The political weakness of the royal house during this period seems to have promoted its development. By 1282, King Eric V of Denmark
had so offended the nobles throughout Denmark that he was forced to accept a Royal Charter (Håndfæstning), which limited his authority and guaranteed the ancient rights and customs which preserved the power of the nobles.
About the details of the establishment and form of the Danehof, surprisingly little is known. It had to be gathered at a central site which was often Nyborg Castle on Funen
but nothing is known of elections or procedures. Its members consisted only of magnates, clergy and noblemen. The king was to consult this parliament before he took greater steps especially of economic character. However in several cases, the kings ignored the Danehof by omitting to summon it. By the creation of the first Haandfæstning in 1282, more defined rules were established. However in reality the Danehof was only summoned at special occasions.
The disasters and chaos in Denmark during the 14th century did not strengthen the authority of the Danehof. Step by step it was ousted by not only the royal power but also by the Danish Council of the state
(Rigsraadet), the Privy Council or inner circle of magnates that often controlled the king. Dating from the 1320s, it became the role of the Rigsraadet to rule together with the king and to manage the affairs of State.
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
which played a certain role between c. 1250 and 1413.
The precondition of the Danehof – like that of the Håndfæstning
Håndfæstning
Håndfæstning , Håndfestning , Handfeste , were names for documents issued from the 13th to the 17th century in Scandinavia and Germany , e.g. the charters that were signed by Danish and Norwegian kings, and sometimes also by Swedish kings...
- was the growing power and opposition among the Danish magnates after 1250. They wanted limitations of the royal power, especially of its right of legislation and taxation. The political weakness of the royal house during this period seems to have promoted its development. By 1282, King Eric V of Denmark
Eric V of Denmark
Eric V "Klipping" was King of Denmark and son of Christopher I. Until 1264 he ruled under the auspices of his mother, the competent Queen Dowager Margaret Sambiria. Between 1261 and 1262, Eric was a prisoner in Holstein following a military defeat...
had so offended the nobles throughout Denmark that he was forced to accept a Royal Charter (Håndfæstning), which limited his authority and guaranteed the ancient rights and customs which preserved the power of the nobles.
About the details of the establishment and form of the Danehof, surprisingly little is known. It had to be gathered at a central site which was often Nyborg Castle on Funen
Funen
Funen , with a size of 2,984 km² , is the third-largest island of Denmark following Zealand and Vendsyssel-Thy, and the 163rd largest island of the world. Funen is located in the central part of the country and has a population of 454,358 inhabitants . The main city is Odense, connected to the...
but nothing is known of elections or procedures. Its members consisted only of magnates, clergy and noblemen. The king was to consult this parliament before he took greater steps especially of economic character. However in several cases, the kings ignored the Danehof by omitting to summon it. By the creation of the first Haandfæstning in 1282, more defined rules were established. However in reality the Danehof was only summoned at special occasions.
The disasters and chaos in Denmark during the 14th century did not strengthen the authority of the Danehof. Step by step it was ousted by not only the royal power but also by the Danish Council of the state
Rigsraadet
Rigsraadet, or Riksrådet, , is the name of the councils of the Scandinavian countries that ruled the countries together with the kings from late Middle Ages to the 17th century...
(Rigsraadet), the Privy Council or inner circle of magnates that often controlled the king. Dating from the 1320s, it became the role of the Rigsraadet to rule together with the king and to manage the affairs of State.