Founding of Glückstadt
The Founding of Glückstadt King Christian the IV of Denmark,
founded Glückstadt in 1617. One of his biggest motives was that
Glückstadt would provide better protection for the southern part
of his kingdom. He also was attempting to break Hamburg's
monopoly on trade along the Elbe River. Due to Glückstadt's
geographical location, his long time dream of stopping Hamburg
was becoming a real possibility. There was also of course the
possibility of Hamburg deciding to join the Danish kingdom if
it's monopoly was broken. There was only one problem with his
plans for Glückstadt. There was a large sand bank in the Elbe
hindering the entrance to Glückstadt's harbor with large ships.
(There was a rumor started that the people of Hamburg built this
sand bank undercover to foil the king's plans.) Despite all of
that, Glückstadt strengthened the economy of the kingdom. In
1615, the king began to build a dyke where the future city of
Glückstadt would stand, in order to protect it from the Elbe. In
1616, he began developing the land where the town was to be
built. He also wanted to protect the building site, from the
offensive attack of the Dutch and English, so, he placed two
ships on the Stör river and ten ships on the North Sea. In 1617,
the king signed the contract which completed the founding of the
new city. He gave the new city it's name by saying, "Dat
shall glücken, dat mut glücken und dann shall dat ok
Glückstadt heten ( Platdeutsch for: That which was lucky shall
stay lucky and therefore be called Glückstadt or lucky town.).
He also chose a munincipal coat of arms called the
"Fortuna". There is a woman standing on a globe and
holding a banner. In 1619, the harbor was completed and in 1624
Glückstadt was given right to hold markets, in the growing city
of buildings, trade and jobs.
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