1661: Kaj Lykke, in effigy
September 10th, 2010 Headsman
On an uncertain date in 1661, the Danish noble Kaj Lykke (sometimes Kai Lykke) — safely but penuriously absconded to exile — was “executed” in effigy.
This wealthy roue (Danish Wikipedia page) was famous for his affairs innumerable.
To one of these maids, Lykke addressed a love-note remarking that the unpopular queen consort Sophie Amalie enjoyed queen consorting with her servants.
The sort of salacious rumor-mongering that constitutes many a blogger’s daily bread (and no doubt many a debauched noble’s pillow-talk) was, in Denmark at the dawn of its absolute monarchy, lese-majesty, and a good excuse once it became known to seize the naughty noble’s riches for the crown.
Lykke got himself abroad and didn’t have to face the music in the flesh — though the forfeited estates were no mean loss — and a doll representing the dirty-minded fugitive had its hands and head lopped off in Lykke’s stead in Copenhagen.
Kaj Lykke returned from exile (Swedish link) and died in Denmark in 1699. Centuries later, his skull was unearthed pursuant to eugenics research: the theory was that this bad boy’s sloping forehead showed him to be a primitive Neanderthal-descended type.
Though that particular bit of pseudo-science has long since been buried, Lykke’s skull never has been — and given that it’s out and about anyway, it’s been used to reconstruct the noble’s appearance. (I’ve been unable to locate an image of this reconstruction online.)
Part of the Themed Set: Executions in Effigy.
On this day..
- 1664: Sawny Douglas, Chevy Chaser - 2020
- 1731: Catherine Bevan, burned alive in Delaware - 2019
- 1941: Viggo Hasteen and Rolf Wickstrom, for the Milk Strike - 2018
- 1622: Charles Spinola, martyr in Japan - 2017
- 1893: Two women lynched in Quincy, Mississippi - 2016
- 1990: Charles Coleman, the first lethal injection in Oklahoma - 2015
- 1573: Hans von Erschausen, Seeräuber - 2014
- 1801: Jason Fairbanks, lackadaisical escapee - 2013
- 1943: Phillip Coleman, the last man hung in Montana - 2012
- 1951: Eliseo Mares, "silently and horribly" - 2011
- Themed Set: Executions in Effigy - 2010
- 1852: John and Jane Williams, slaves - 2009
- 1977: Hamida Djandoubi, Madame Guillotine's last kiss - 2008
Entry Filed under: 17th Century,Beheaded,Capital Punishment,Death Penalty,Denmark,Executed in Effigy,Execution,History,Nobility,Not Executed,Notable for their Victims,Power,Public Executions,Scandal
Tags: 1660s, 1661, copenhagen, kai lykke, kaj lykke, sophie amalie
One thought on “1661: Kaj Lykke, in effigy”