Eske Brock – one of the most powerful men in the kingdom
Eske Brock (1560–1625), who also served as Christian IV’s privy councillor, rebuilt and modernized the house. In his time, Eske Brock was one of Denmark’s wealthiest men and is particularly known for keeping a diary. The preserved diaries provide a unique insight into everyday life for a wealthy nobleman in the time of Christian IV. Eske Brock is the first of Gammel Estrup’s owners whose portrait can still be seen at the estate.
The Brock family did not only own Gammel Estrup; the manor house was part of a larger estate complex, which included several other, changing estates and manor houses. Eske Brock left no sons, but his daughter Jytte Brock (1595–1640) and her husband Jørgen Skeel (1578–1631) inherited Gammel Estrup after Eske Brock’s death. Jørgen Skeel was a very powerful man: he served as privy councillor (member of the government) and lord marshal (minister of war). He was so influential that he could even challenge the authority of Christian IV.
