Jens, the troll and the witch

Fjends district is filled with myths and legends. Here you will find a short introduction to some of them.

The robber, bandit and folk hero Jens Langkniv hid in Daugbjerg Limestone Mines during the winters in the mid-1600s. He came from very poor conditions. His name was Jens Olesen and he worked in the mines, where he learned to navigate the many kilometers of tunnels, which later helped him when he became an outlaw. His father, a southern weaponsmith, had forged him a knife. When Jens went hunting with it, he tied an 8-alen long rope made of horsehair to it. This allowed the knife to reach far and he could pull it back if he missed. Because of the long distance the knife could reach, he got the nickname Jens with the long knife (Jens Langkniv). Poaching and having an affair with the priest’s red-haired young wife meant Jens had to be punished. They tried to have his mother convicted as a witch, but on the way to Viborg they became thirsty and stopped at Sejbæk Inn. Jens also passed by there, freed his mother and in his rage stabbed the bailiff to death. After this he fled, and on his way toward Germany he joined others who were also on the run. This group, called the Krabbers, and Jens became heroes during the Thirty Years’ War for their resistance against German mercenaries. After the war Jens became a robber again, hiding in Robber’s Valley between Viborg and Holstebro during the summer and in the mines during the winter. He made sure the workers in the mines never lacked food, and in return they never revealed where he was hiding. Jens eventually ended his days at the Vridsted vicarage.

In 1916 the Danish writer Jeppe Aakjær wrote a fine novel about Jens Langkniv. This story forms the basis of the guided tours in the mines.

The Troll of Dybdal Forest

The troll of Dybdal Forest is an ancient troll dating back to the very beginning. He blows through the trees of the forest so the birds’ nests are cooled, and he helps both the small and large animals in the forest. In 1791 he helped a farmer in a field whose oxen and plough had become stuck. Suddenly the troll jumped up and ran toward Daugbjerg, which was engulfed in flames. A great fire had struck Daugbjerg, which at that time was a larger town than Herning. The troll took a wagon from the mill pond and threw water on the first farm. After four wagonloads he had extinguished the fire on that farm, but he had also emptied the pond of water, so most of the town burned down. The villagers chased him back into the forest, and today you can walk the troll route in the forest and meet him and his nine “sweet” children. They each have a letter, but can you guess the correct word from them?

The Witch Lange Margrete

The witch Lange Margrete was a Romani woman (traveller) who was allowed to hide in the mines. As payment she helped the workers with their illnesses and ailments. She was accused of witchcraft after helping young pregnant women terminate their pregnancies, and she was therefore chased all the way to Ringkøbing where she was captured and taken to Nørre Vosborg, where she eventually ended her life at the stake.

While she lived in the mines she once asked Jens Langkniv to collect some herbs for her elixir of life. It can be tasted and purchased in the kiosk.