Østruplund

The farmer’s son who ended up sleeping in the baron’s bed – as the estate owner 

In 1797, Elias Møller became lord of Østrupgaard Estate (later Østruplund) on North Fyn. To call this “social elevation” would be something of an understatement. He had been born 36 years earlier in the village of Diernæs, and all that little Elias could look forward was life as a copyholder.

But the little boy had a dream. Time and time again, Elias asked the lord of the manor for the right to become a gamekeeper’s boy, until one day he answered: “There’s no point becoming a gamekeeper, because an old hunter is usually an old beggar.”

Instead, the estate owner offered the young boy the chance to become servant to his son, who was of the same age. The 15-year-old boy then accompanied the son of his master as he took his education, first at Sorø Academy and later in Germany. Over the course of their travels together, Elias Møller himself received a fine education as well, and after a few years he was ordered back home to serve the estate owner and his wife. 

The abolition of adscription released the talent 

With the flick of a magic wand, the talented and knowledgeable 27-year-old was no longer bound to his native soil and his master. Having been a servant to the lord of the manor for 13 years, Elias Møller was now free to leave.

A short time later, the talented and highly educated young man found work as a steward at one country estate after another. Elias Møller’s excellent reputation had spread. All the way to Østrupgaard, in fact. 

The estate owner’s recommendation prepped his wife 

At Østrupgaard, the estate owner’s health was failing and he asked Elias Møller to become his steward so he could be sure of leaving the estate in good hands. He also assured his wife that with Elias in charge, the estate would be well looked after.

The estate owner died the following year, in 1796. Nine months later, Elias Møller married the Lady of Østrupgaard.