Esrum Abbey

Esrum Abbey burned down in 1194 and again in 1204, resulting in the construction of a new church – a three-aisled basilica with transepts and a rectangular choir – and a monastery built of red brick, the most common building material of the time in the region.

Her daughter, Margaret I of Denmark, continued Esrum's royal patronage, which attracted increased benefactions from other noble families on Zealand.

[3] A transcript of a collection of papers of the abbey between 1374 and 1497, consisting mostly of letters, has been preserved in Det Kongelige Bibliotek as the "Codex Esromensis" (Danish: Esrum Klosters Brevbog).

It was allowed to continue to function as a monastery until 1559, when the remaining 11 monks and the abbot were sent to Sorø Abbey.

[citation needed] In the 17th century the remaining structures were converted into a hunting lodge for the king and his courtiers, and the site was also used as a stud farm until 1717, after which it became a barracks for dragoons until 1746.

[citation needed] Another well-known legend from Esrum is the story of Brother Rus, a disguise Satan took in order to infiltrate the abbey as its cook.