3-011-784 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Lying in State of the Remains of the late King of Denmark in the Castrum Doloris, or Mourners' Hall, at the Royal Palace, Copenhagen, 1864. 'An open coffin of enormous dimensions, encasing two others of lead and wood, was placed on a platform, decorated with black, like the rest of the hall. At its head drooped the grand banner of the realm. A bas-relief in bronze, inlaid in the wood on the left side, exhibited the late King on horseback, giving orders to sailors and soldiers...Partly on and partly round the Castrum Doloris were placed silver candelabra, radiant with lights; whilst the foot of the catafalque was guarded by three silver lions...Over the whole a canopy of black crape spread out its sombre folds...On the lid [of the coffin] was placed a golden wreath, the tribute of some Danish ladies; whilst the frieze of the sarcophagus was inlaid with silver plates, containing appropriate texts from the treasures of the Old and New Testaments. A magnificent coat of arms, suspended on the wall, together with the armorial bearings of the various provinces, completed the decoration of the chamber. High military and civil officers and twelve yeomen of the guard surrounded the platform'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.