Magdalene Banner was a noblewoman in Denmark in the 1500s. She was lord of Skivehus, from where she administered Skivehuslen, covering the market town and Sallingland. She was also a landowner at Østergård and Krabbesholm.
Banner was the daughter of Erik Banner and Mette Rosenkrantz. Her mother died in 1533, and Margrethe Gyldenstjerne became Magdalene Banner’s stepmother.
Banner married Iver Krabbe, who among other estates was lord of Skivehus and owner of the later Krabbesholm and Østergård. Iver Krabbe died in 1561.
Until his own death in 1597, Banner ran both estate and fiefdom. After her death at Krabbesholm, she was buried with her husband Iver Krabbe in Åsted Kirke Harre Herred.
As lord and landowner
After the death of Iver Krabbe, the fief was briefly taken over by Jacob Skel. However, this was only for a very short period, and at least from 1562 and for the next ten years, Banner was lord of the manor himself.
Banner was lord of Salling during the Northern Seven Years’ War 1563-70. She was responsible for collecting extra taxes, old debts and recruiting soldiers. After the end of the war, the collection of further debts in the area was abandoned.
In 1572 Banner gave up the fief to Gregers Ulfstand, allegedly for personal reasons and with a desire to withdraw more from public life. In general, Banner was not considered a harsh lord, and there are no examples of heavy burdens on the commoners.
Banner managed to increase his estates with otherwise taxable peasant farms. The nobility were otherwise not allowed to buy these farms, as it weakened the state’s tax base. Banner received special permission for the purchases by being allowed to buy the estates on behalf of the king with his own money in exchange for the king being able to redeem it later. The relationship with the king was good and favors and favors went between Banner and Frederik II.
Sources
- Lykke, Jacob, Under Kvindevældet, Skivebogen 1910, p. 67-91