Cutlasses from Odense
Hirschfänger-cutlasses, 1801. They belonged to Odense chasseurs corps (Odense Borgerlige Jægerkorps). The corps was a little like the modern home guard and was established in 1807. The cutlasses are now at Møntergården in Odense. Photo: René Riis.
The civic guard 'Odense Borgerlige Jægerkorps' functioned during the first half of the 19th century. The guard was reminiscent of the modern home guard. They were armed with cutlasses.
Funen is renowned for its idyllic and fertile landscape, but its people have also experienced poverty, and the island has been taken over and occupied at times – either by foreign powers or by fear.
Occupied by the Swedes, 1657-1720
Frederik 3th declared war on Sweden in 1657. This would prove to be a catastrophe for Denmark and led to a number of wars against our Scandinavian neighbours. In January 1658, c. 8,500 Swedish troops marched across the ice from Hejls via Brandsø to Funen where the Danes suffered defeat at the Battle of Tybrind Vig. From here, the Swedes continued victorious through the country to Copenhagen. The first war ended with a peace agreement in Roskilde in February 1658, after which Denmark was an amputated nation. The great eastern Danish territories of Scania, Halland and Blekinge fell into Swedish hands.
The civic guard corps
Following the Dano-Swedish Wars, Denmark became an autocratic state, and the Crown rearmed Denmark during the 18th century to become a strong military nation. Funen's defence consisted of the Funen Dragoon Regiment; in 1807, the civic guard corps, Odense Borgerlige Jægerkorps, was established in Odense. The purpose of both of these was to protect the city against occupation.
This location is part of the exhibition 'Funen – at the centre of the universe', at Møntergården in Odense. Read more about the exhibition on our website.