Editing Kronborg (section)

===Frederick II's Kronborg===
[[File:Kronborg Braun-Hogenberg.jpg|thumb|Kronborg Castle and the Øresund from the 1580s geography book [[Civitates Orbis Terrarum]]]]

As a consequence of developments in the military technique of the era and the improved striking power of the [[artillery]], it became clear that it was necessary to modernize the fortifications of Krogen. After the conclusion of the [[Northern Seven Years' War]] in 1570, [[Frederick II of Denmark|King Frederick II]] initiated an extension of the advanced bastions to relieve the medieval [[curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]]. The main architect was the [[Flanders|Flemish]] architect [[Hans Hendrik van Paesschen]] and the fortification works were completed in 1577. After this, the castle acquired its current name of ''Kronborg'' ({{literally|Crown Castle}}).

The castle itself was rebuilt from 1574 to 1585, with the separated buildings of Krogen being extended to three coherent wings. The north wing was equipped with chambers for the king, queen and her [[lady-in-waiting|ladies-in-waiting]] as well as for the [[chancellor|chancellery]]. In the south wing, the medieval building in the southeast corner was refitted as a modern chapel with the vaulted windows facing the chapel being retained. Frederick was a keen patron of theatre and players performed at the castle when he held court there in 1579.<ref>{{harvnb|Donnelly|1984|p=328}}</ref>

Initially, the castle was reconstructed only to a height of two storeys. In 1578, however, the Flemish architect [[Anthonis van Obbergen]] was engaged as new [[master builder (occupation)|master builder]] and work was undertaken to make Kronborg even larger and more magnificent. The sculptural work was coordinated by [[Gert van Groningen]].<ref>[http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/Danske_slotte_og_herreg%C3%A5rde/Kronborg?highlight=kronborg "Kronborg"], ''Den Store Danske''. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 1 February 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Dansk_Biografisk_Leksikon/Kunst_og_kultur/Billedkunst/Billedhugger/Gert_van_Groningen "Gert van Groningen"], Dansk Biografish Leksikon, ''Den Store Danske''. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 1 February 2012.</ref> As a sign of the new ambitions, the south wing was heightened by one storey and a new, gigantic ball room placed over the chapel. Soon after the west and north wings were also heightened by one storey. Finally, the east wing was also heightened with a passageway, ''The Queen's Gallery'', allowing the Queen comfortable passage from her chambers in the north wing to the ball room in the south wing. The exterior walls were clad with [[sandstone]] from [[Scania]], and the new castle was given a roof with [[copper]] sheeting.

[[James VI of Scotland]] stayed in the castle in 1590 after his marriage to [[Anne of Denmark]]. James gave 2,000 [[Danish rigsdaler|Danish dalers]] in gold coins to the officers and servants in the castle as a reward.<ref>Miles Kerr-Peterson & Michael Pearce, 'James VI's English Subsidy and Danish Dowry Accounts, 1588-1596', ''Scottish History Society, Miscellany XVI'' (Woodbridge, 2020), pp. 38-9.</ref>