Has Epoke found the warship Maria?
Not yet. Epoke is the first to document that Christian II lost two large ships in a shipwreck west of Lindesnes, Norway's southernmost point, and that one of them was his large Warship. Due to the harsh weather in the area and the fact that almost 500 years have passed since the shipwreck, we will not find intact wrecks. The ambition is, nevertheless, to find as many interesting objects as possible, and to have them salvaged, dated and preserved for later exhibition.
When did the shipwreck happen?
Between 31st October and 1st November 1531.
What type of ship is Maria and when was she built?
It was King Hans, Christian II´s father, who ordered the two warships Engelen and Maria built. They were by far the largest vessels that had been built at that time and the construction of the two ships therefore took from 1510-1517.
Why does Epoke tell about the project before you have found the wreck?
Firstly, because we cannot allow ourselves to do otherwise, as both the Danish Navy and the Norwegian Navy are now actively participating and deploying military capabilities in the search area. Epoke doesn't want to scare anyone. Secondly, because there is a 500th anniversary in 2023. Christian II left Copenhagen in April 1523 and sailed to Holland. Epoke believes it is time the public got an insight into what went wrong when the king headed north again in October 1531. With an impressive flotilla consisting of 25 ships and 7,000 mercenaries.
How did you find the documentation?
Several years of academic work precedes our search permit. Epoke has consulted with leading experts in both Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands. We have had their help in searching through the national archives of various countries. Here, previously overlooked sources were found which confirm the strong, local folklore that has survived ever since the dramatic sinking.
Where is Epoke searching?
We will not reveal that in detail. The search area covers 13 square kilometers and is located south of Farsund, Norway.
Are people other than Epoke allowed to search?
No. The legislation regarding search for wrecks in Norwegian maritime territory is very clear. All wrecks and parts thereof, which are more than 100 years old and located in Norwegian maritime territory, belong to the Norwegian state. Epoke has a search permit from the highest Norwegian authority (Norwegian Maritime Museum and the Norwegian Navy). Our search partners, i.a. The Danish Navy, the Norwegian Navy and Kongsberg are part of the search permit. Outsiders are not allowed to apply. Epoke wishes to point out that surveillance has been set up in the search area.
Why do military authorities participate?
Maria and the sister ship Engelen were the first two warships in the Danish-Norwegian Navy and thus the start of the world's oldest Navy. For that reason, Epoke has chosen to inform the Danish Navy and the Norwegian Navy. We have invited both to participate in the search. The decision to deploy military capabilities is solely theirs. The capacities support Epoke with technology and personnel, which makes it likely that together we can reach the goal within the foreseeable future.
Who participates in the search?
See collaboration partners at www.epoke.org
Who is Epoke?
Epoke is a discreet work group of eight people of both Norwegian and Danish nationality. As the group wishes to protect privacy, we have appointed experts as the group's spokespersons.
Why is this project important?
The shipwreck, which has not been described so far, was the final sentence for the Kalmar Union. Therefore, the shipwreck has a large influence on why modern Scandinavia looks the way it does. Since the shipwreck is also important for the entire history of Northern Europe in the late Middle Ages, Epoke believes that the project is important.
Why hasn't Epoke found the wreckage yet?
We have many challenges in the search area. Partly it is big. Partly, it is so windy for most of the year that it is impossible to work out there. In addition, there is movable mass (sand) throughout the search area, which means that the wreckage parts move every time there is a storm. In addition, almost 500 years have passed since the shipwreck. We usually explain the challenge like this: 'we need to find thousands of pieces for a puzzle in a gigantic sandbox, underwater, in the most stormy area in the Nordics.' And we can safely say that it is no easy challenge.
Are you looking for a gold treasure?
No. But there might be one in the search area. Christian II lost his war chest in connection with the shipwreck. The gold, which by the way belongs to the Norwegian state, if we find it, is not important in itself. But coins will help us with identification and dating and will thus be able to confirm our hypotheses. Finding the explanation of why Christian II’s attempt to regain his kingship failed is what would actually be valuable, as this knowledge is part of the cultural heritage of all Scandinavians.
Is this the Nordic region's biggest wreck hunt?
As far as Epoke knows, yes. In any case, it is the first time that the Danish Navy and the Norwegian Navy are working closely together with a civilian working group, Kongsberg and scientific institutions in both Norway and Denmark.
When is the project completed?
Unknown.
Where can I follow the project?
Epoke does not communicate directly, but we inform selected media and authorities in Norway and Denmark about significant developments. In addition, a professional documentary will be recorded, which will be published when the project is completed.
How do I contact Epoke?
Use the contact form at www.epoke.org. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to respond to all inquiries.
Not yet. Epoke is the first to document that Christian II lost two large ships in a shipwreck west of Lindesnes, Norway's southernmost point, and that one of them was his large Warship. Due to the harsh weather in the area and the fact that almost 500 years have passed since the shipwreck, we will not find intact wrecks. The ambition is, nevertheless, to find as many interesting objects as possible, and to have them salvaged, dated and preserved for later exhibition.
When did the shipwreck happen?
Between 31st October and 1st November 1531.
What type of ship is Maria and when was she built?
It was King Hans, Christian II´s father, who ordered the two warships Engelen and Maria built. They were by far the largest vessels that had been built at that time and the construction of the two ships therefore took from 1510-1517.
Why does Epoke tell about the project before you have found the wreck?
Firstly, because we cannot allow ourselves to do otherwise, as both the Danish Navy and the Norwegian Navy are now actively participating and deploying military capabilities in the search area. Epoke doesn't want to scare anyone. Secondly, because there is a 500th anniversary in 2023. Christian II left Copenhagen in April 1523 and sailed to Holland. Epoke believes it is time the public got an insight into what went wrong when the king headed north again in October 1531. With an impressive flotilla consisting of 25 ships and 7,000 mercenaries.
How did you find the documentation?
Several years of academic work precedes our search permit. Epoke has consulted with leading experts in both Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands. We have had their help in searching through the national archives of various countries. Here, previously overlooked sources were found which confirm the strong, local folklore that has survived ever since the dramatic sinking.
Where is Epoke searching?
We will not reveal that in detail. The search area covers 13 square kilometers and is located south of Farsund, Norway.
Are people other than Epoke allowed to search?
No. The legislation regarding search for wrecks in Norwegian maritime territory is very clear. All wrecks and parts thereof, which are more than 100 years old and located in Norwegian maritime territory, belong to the Norwegian state. Epoke has a search permit from the highest Norwegian authority (Norwegian Maritime Museum and the Norwegian Navy). Our search partners, i.a. The Danish Navy, the Norwegian Navy and Kongsberg are part of the search permit. Outsiders are not allowed to apply. Epoke wishes to point out that surveillance has been set up in the search area.
Why do military authorities participate?
Maria and the sister ship Engelen were the first two warships in the Danish-Norwegian Navy and thus the start of the world's oldest Navy. For that reason, Epoke has chosen to inform the Danish Navy and the Norwegian Navy. We have invited both to participate in the search. The decision to deploy military capabilities is solely theirs. The capacities support Epoke with technology and personnel, which makes it likely that together we can reach the goal within the foreseeable future.
Who participates in the search?
See collaboration partners at www.epoke.org
Who is Epoke?
Epoke is a discreet work group of eight people of both Norwegian and Danish nationality. As the group wishes to protect privacy, we have appointed experts as the group's spokespersons.
Why is this project important?
The shipwreck, which has not been described so far, was the final sentence for the Kalmar Union. Therefore, the shipwreck has a large influence on why modern Scandinavia looks the way it does. Since the shipwreck is also important for the entire history of Northern Europe in the late Middle Ages, Epoke believes that the project is important.
Why hasn't Epoke found the wreckage yet?
We have many challenges in the search area. Partly it is big. Partly, it is so windy for most of the year that it is impossible to work out there. In addition, there is movable mass (sand) throughout the search area, which means that the wreckage parts move every time there is a storm. In addition, almost 500 years have passed since the shipwreck. We usually explain the challenge like this: 'we need to find thousands of pieces for a puzzle in a gigantic sandbox, underwater, in the most stormy area in the Nordics.' And we can safely say that it is no easy challenge.
Are you looking for a gold treasure?
No. But there might be one in the search area. Christian II lost his war chest in connection with the shipwreck. The gold, which by the way belongs to the Norwegian state, if we find it, is not important in itself. But coins will help us with identification and dating and will thus be able to confirm our hypotheses. Finding the explanation of why Christian II’s attempt to regain his kingship failed is what would actually be valuable, as this knowledge is part of the cultural heritage of all Scandinavians.
Is this the Nordic region's biggest wreck hunt?
As far as Epoke knows, yes. In any case, it is the first time that the Danish Navy and the Norwegian Navy are working closely together with a civilian working group, Kongsberg and scientific institutions in both Norway and Denmark.
When is the project completed?
Unknown.
Where can I follow the project?
Epoke does not communicate directly, but we inform selected media and authorities in Norway and Denmark about significant developments. In addition, a professional documentary will be recorded, which will be published when the project is completed.
How do I contact Epoke?
Use the contact form at www.epoke.org. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to respond to all inquiries.
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