Kildehenvisninger
1. [Født: Ca. 1627 i Rønne Sogn, Bornholms Vester Herred, Bornholm Amt]
- kilde: Titel: Oplysninger fra Michael Erichsen - GED-fil via mail , i arkivet:
2. [Død: 1681 i Rønne Sogn, Bornholms Vester Herred, Bornholm Amt]
- kilde: Titel: Oplysninger fra Michael Erichsen - GED-fil via mail , i arkivet:
Biografi Oplysninger fra Michael Erichsen - GED-fil via mail
The swedish King Karl Gustav X ordered his forces, headed by General Wrangel, to invade Jylland
from the south early in 1658. They took Fredriksodde fortress and from there marched across the ice
(an unprecedented feat, possible only because of the unusual cold) to the island of Fyn, and hence
on to Lolland and then Sjælland. That meant that København was open to attack; which forced the
Danish government to sue for peace, and in the resulting 'Peace of Roskilde' (February 1658)
Danmark lost its provinces Skåne and Blekinge, the district of Bohus, Trondheim (in Norge/Norway),
and the island of Bornholm.
As the sea-ice prevented any communication with Bornholm, no one there knew of this incredible turn
of events. Not until April 16, when the ice broke and a fishing-boat from Skåne brought the news
did the Bornholmers realize that they, without being asked, had been made Swedish by the stroke of
a feather-quill! On April 29 the new Swedish Colonel (Oberst) & Commandant, Johan Printzensköld,
landed with 120 Musketeers and began exploring their new province; all the while preparing the
Bornholmers for their new nationality.
By May 18, 1658, delegates had been chosen to make a journey to Malmö and stand before Corfits
Ulfeld and swear allegiance to the Swedish King. The delegates included Hans Pedersen Kofoed and
his cousins: Mads Madsen Kofoed (c.1616-before 1665) of Eskildsgård, Hans Olufsen Kofoed(1625-1694)
of Blykobbegård, and Peder Madsen Kofoed (c.1622-1688) of Svaneke.
When the Swedes, despite the recently signed peace treaty, renewed their attach on Danmark a group
of Bornholmer decided that now was the best chance for rebellion. Due to their quick and decisive
actions on December 8, 1658, they succeeded - for more detailed information on the uprising see the
entry for Hans' brother Jens Pedersen Kofoed(1628-1691). After the rebellion Hans Pedersen Kofoed
was instrumental in the writing, and was a co-signer, of Bornholm's declaration of fidelity to
Danmark, which was sent to King Frederik III on January 19,1659 after the uprising against
Sverige/Sweden.
Historian M. K. Zahrtmann tells in his book 'Rønne City and Citizen'(1927), that Hans Pedersen
Kofoed is mentioned in 1658 as a customs-officer (tolder) and alderman (rådmand) in Rønne, and in
1673 as mayor (borgmester). Further, Hans Kofoed was the first mayor appointed by the now 'Absolute
Monarch' on November 23, 1670. Up to that time there had long been great discontent with the
earlier self-appointed alderman-government, which consisted of the city's property-owners and
ship-owners.
Unfortunately, Hans Kofoed did not live up to expectations, for on December 4, 1672, a judgement
was handed down on him by Bornholm's Upper House of Parliament '. . . for voldelig retskrænkelse at
stande i Kongens naade og unaade'! The Supreme Court allowed him on July 17, 1673, release to '. .
. afbøde det stedfundne Retsbrud, gjøre Landsdommeren en Afbøn, og udrede Sagsomkostninger, Kost og
Tæring'. In spite of all this, he did not lose his mayorial office, but rather occupied it until
his death circa 1680.