Regna firmat pietas (Danish: Fromhed styrker rigerne, Low German: Die Gotts Fruchtigkeit machet veste Reiche, abbreviated to R.F.P.) is a Latin phrase translated in English as "Piety strengthens the realms".[1] The phrase was used as the royal motto for Denmark–Norway during the reign of Christian IV and sought to promote Lutheranism as a strength for the nation.[1]
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King Christian used the phrase for the first time in 1584 when he was seven, and likely adopted it from his teacher, Hans Mikkelsen.[2] The motto can be found in buildings and churches erected by King Christian in Denmark, Norway and Schleswig-Holstein.[2] In Holmen Church, Copenhagen, where many Danish National heroes are buried, the motto stands visibly over the chapel's entrance,[3] and it is also showcased with its initials R.F.P. on the Rundetaarn.[4]
The motto was also showcased on coins during Christian IV's reign.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Berg 2020, p. 107.
- ^ a b "regna firmat pietas | lex.dk". Den Store Danske (in Danish). 2020-12-04. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
- ^ Thomson 2020.
- ^ "Rundetårn, Copenhagen, Denmark". astronomicalheritage.net.
- ^ "Christian 4.s svindlermønt". Nationalmuseet (in Danish). Retrieved 2024-08-04.
Works cited
edit- Berg, Sigrun Høgetveit (2020). The Protracted Reformation in the North. Vol. III. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. ISBN 978-3-11-068621-0.
- Thomson, M. Pearson (2020). Denmark. Good Press.