Christian Barnekow (1556–1612)

Christian Barnekow (24 January 1556 – 21 February 1612) was a Danish noble man, extensive traveller and diplomat.

Barnekow was rich by birth and owned several estates, including Birkholm (now Løvenborg), Tølløse, Vittskövle Castle in Scania (now part of Sweden) 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.

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.