Christian Barnekow was a Danish noble man, extensive traveller and diplomat.
Biography
Barnekow was rich by birth and owned several estates, including Birkholm, Tølløse, Vittskövle Castle in Scania and a farm in Copenhagen. He spent nearly 16 years of his early life travelling throughout Europe and the Middle East, including a three-year journey in the Holy Land and Egypt. He spent six years at the Universities of Jena and Ingolstadt and two years at the University of Padua. After his return he became a diplomat for the Danish king, with further travels in Scotland, England, Poland and Brandenburg. Probably in 1591 he gave his autograph to Dietrich Bevernest, writing a Spanish proverb, "Qui no ci cança, nunca alcança", meaning "those who never grow weary will achieve". On 12 July 1594 he came to Scotland with Steen Bille for the baptism of Prince Henry at Stirling Castle. When they arrived Anne of Denmark left Edinburgh for Falkland Palace because Holyrood Palace was not magnificent enough. James VI had an audience with them on 15 July, and after a few days arranged for them to lodge in private houses in Lothian because he could not afford to host them. Barnekow and his colleague Steen Bille brought necklaces for Anne of Denmark and Prince Henry, and James VI gave them gold chains, which were heavier than those made for the ambassadors from the dukes of Mecklenberg and Brunswick. In September 1597 Barnekow and Arild Huitfeldt were ambassadors in London and lodged in Fenchurch Street in the house of Alderman Houghton or the Customer Master Smith. Their mission concerned the Sound tolls. They returned the insignia of the Order of Garter that had belonged to Frederick II of Denmark. Queen Elizabeth made a joke at their expense on her birthday, 7 September. After their audiences in London they came to Scotland. Hans Poulsen Resen, professor of theology, who held the funeral session for Barnekow on 26 March 1612 in Elsinore, notes in his writings that Barnekow brought back with him many rare things, which he had found in foreign countries; unfortunately they have all disappeared. A Halland tale says that Barnekow was killed in 1612 during the Kalmar War, near Skjellinge Hede, when he gave King Christian IV of Denmark, who was trapped by the Swedish, his horse, so he could escape. The Swedish then killed him. The tale originates in 18th century literature and is doubted today.
