The first time we encounter Holger the Dane (or Ogier le Danois) is in the French epic poem La Chanson de Roland from around 1060. Here, Holger the Dane appears as a secondary character, one of Charlemagne’s warriors.

Later, he becomes the hero of the epic La Chevalerie d’Ogier de Danemarche (circa 1200–1215). In this story, he is the son of Godfred, the king of Denmark and an adversary of Charlemagne. Charlemagne takes Holger hostage, but the noble warrior eventually returns and saves France before a decisive battle against the Saracens. After this epic, Holger the Dane’s legend spreads widely across European literature.

Holger the Dane’s First Danish Appearances

Holger the Dane also appears in The Danish Chronicle (manuscript from 1480, printed in 1509), where his story is expanded with additions drawn from folk ballads like Holger the Dane and Burmand.

In 1534, Danish writer and publisher Christiern Pedersen printed a Danish translation of a French prose romance from 1496, titled The Chronicle of King Olger the Dane. This version became the main source for the Danish legends of Holger the Dane, telling of the national hero’s great deeds and his promise to rise from his underground refuge to save Denmark in times of peril.

Holger the Dane Comes to Kronborg

The legends of Holger the Dane became beloved Danish folk tales, popular well into the 19th century. While he is said to appear in various places around Denmark, the story eventually centers on his presence in the casemates beneath Kronborg Castle.

In 1846, Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale also places Holger the Dane in the cellars of Kronborg, where he sleeps until Denmark faces grave danger - at which point he will draw his sword and defend the homeland.