Denmark is the oldest kingdom in the world. The country can trace its monarchy pedigree back 2000 years to Grom the Old. Recently, two studies, one from the University of Leiscester and one from the Erasmus University Rotterdam, indicated Denmark has the happiest citizens in the world. I am speculating, but I think Danes are happy, at least in part, because they believe in something Lois Lowry captures when she paraphrases a letter written by Kim Malthe-Bruun, a 21-year old member of the Danish Resistance who was executed by the Nazis.

Malthe-Bruun wrote the letter to his mother the night before he was executed, urging her to keep the dream of "an ideal of human decency." Lowry notes that her book about Denmark during World War II ultimately focuses on "the gift of a world of human decency" (pg. 137). Somehow, in the horror of World War II, the Danes, and others, found that world,

While Denmark was one of the first members of the United Nations and a leader in world peace after World War II, the country struggled through numerous 19th century wars with her neighbors, especially with Prussia (Germany) to her south.

Between 1848 and 1878, Denmark fought three wars to help settle boundaries between itself and Prussia. One area, Dubler Mullier (Dubler Mill), saw major battles in two of the wars and may explain why Denmark, weary of war, was officially neutral in World War I.

The picture on this page shows the destroyed Dubler Mullier after the second war Denmark fought with Prussia, a war which resulted in Danish defeat and Germany's taking over a number of towns in Northern Schleswig. The Prussian victory set the stage for a moment in the reign of King Christian X that made most Danes turn against him and nearly cost him the Danish monarchy.

These pages tell the story of how King Christian X returned to favor with the Danes, including my mother and grandmother, who told me stories about the heroic and historical Christian X long before I saw his casket on display at a Danish cathedral or read Lois Lowry's book.

To learn more about King Christian X's life and maturation, go to King Christian X.