Niels Ebbesen, the leader of the Danish peasants who rebelled against Holstein’s rule (Holstein is the Russian name of the historical region of Germany adjacent to Denmark, Golyteyna), died in the battle of Skanderborg on November 2, 1340. However, another event that happened earlier in the spring of that year glorified him. Sung in the Danish folk ballad Niels Ebbesen, it subsequently formed the basis of the plot of several classical works of Danish literature, including Munch’s drama written by him during the Nazi occupation of Denmark.
The first three acts of the play take place on the territory of the rich estate of Niels Ebbesen in Jutland. At the creek near the house, the owner’s daughter Ruth rinses her clothes. Around her, a young knight Nils Bugge is wandering around, he has just had a big fight with the owner, and now he is trying to break his daughter’s kiss, which is not successful: the girl is ashamed, and Bugge is too awkward and straightforward. He is left with nothing. Father approaches his daughter, he sets a scarecrow by the stream ... from the wolves, perfectly understanding the meaninglessness of this undertaking. But what to do if the guard dog in his estate made friends with the wolf and, not wanting to fight with him, prefers to pick up the carrion that remains after him (and doesn’t the same happen to Denmark: after all, the Danish king Kristofer gave its largest territory - the Jutland peninsula under a pledge of his debt to the Holstein Count Gerhard III, who now establishes his “new order” on it?).
Father Lorenz, a local priest, appears at the estate’s house; he is very tipsy: while fooling around, he is trying to saddle a pig. Niels Ebbesen’s wife, Fru Gertrud, orders him to go to the house, lie down and sleep. But does Fr Gertrud know what Lorenz said to the young Bugge, who was about to "grab" Count Gerhard? He told him: his idea is beautiful! And God bless him after that to burn in the eternal flame of hell! War is good! Burn cities, you can build new ones. They kill people, women give birth yet. A drunken priest clowns around, but bitterness comes through in his jokes - he recognizes the powerlessness of the Danes before Count Gerhard.
Soon, Niels Ebbesen's brother-in-law Ove Jose joined the company at home. He asks the owner a direct question: is he at the same time with Count Gerhard or against him? The count saved them from the weak king Kristofffer - was he still unkind to Niels and his wife Gertrude? And the count is an energetic and capable ruler. With him, the country will change, the power of the count will mean for her peace, order, power and rise. Gerhard III - invincible. Is Niels and his wife against him because he is only Holstein, and not Danish?
Yes, Niels Ebbesen is against the Count, although he is not going to oppose him, which was prompted by his young and imprudent Bugge. Let Ove and others consider Ebbesen anyone - a coward or a traitor, for him the main thing is that there is no war. Therefore, he refuses to take sides. Is that his firm answer? - asks Ove Jose. Then let him get acquainted with the Holstein officer, his name is Wittinghof, he will now live in the estate at Ebbesen and study the Danish farming system. At the same time, he will collect weapons from the local peasants - all these crossbows, arrows, spears, battle axes and swords.
It takes several months. Niels Ebbesen and his tenants celebrate the harvest festival. The estate is full of fun, tranquility and peace. The only one who for some reason is not happy about the holiday is Fru Ger labor, she does not believe external calmness and wonders how her husband can be calm when a foreigner takes possession of their country? In addition, Fru Gertrud looks with displeasure at Wittinghof's courtship of his daughter: it seems that they are accepted by her favorably. Wittinghof also captivates the son of Ebbesen, a teenager who admires his decisive character and code of knightly honor. The holiday is interrupted by a messenger who arrived at the estate: he announces the imminent arrival of Count Gerhard himself with his five hundred horsemen. Fru Gertrude immediately blows a horn, calling the peasants - they must resist the brazen Holstein! But the matter does not come to a collision: the messenger reports that the count is seriously ill, he is almost dying and travels on a stretcher. According to the law of hospitality, Niels Ebbesen cedes his estate to him, while he himself, along with children and households, temporarily moves to a farm, which is located nearby in the wasteland.
A few more months pass. The time for sowing is coming. Niels Ebbesen is unhappy with his son's behavior: he gives him a crack for his expressed desire to become a soldier. “What will young Ebbe do when she conquers the whole earth?” - the father asks the son. It is better and more reliable to take the land from the swamps, draining them. Ebbesen is no less strict with her daughter Ruth; she too eagerly accepts Wittinghof's courtship. Does she really want her sons to kill people in the future? In general, this spring everyone is dissatisfied with everyone: the foreboding of disaster hangs in the air. Fru Gertrud also reprimands her husband. Holstein, in her opinion, had completely taken over the country; they act now not only with rudeness: when necessary, they are not averse to joking and can be courteous. The Danes are completely softened: Count Gerhard is exhausted with illness, but even he, the living dead, inspires the Danes with such fear that his army conquers the country with threats and promises alone, Fru Gertrude does not understand her husband’s optimism when he frivolously tells her that “with the singing of a lark the peasants will take up the plow and Holstein will soon be gone. ”
Father Lorenz arrives at the farm. He brings important news with him: Count Gerhard recovered, he left the Ebbesen manor and went to the town of Randers. But the count did not forget about the local peasants: he also ordered them to appear in Randers to undergo military service there.
If this is the case, Niels Ebbesen immediately sets out on his journey - he goes to his estate! He will stop the peasants! Father Lorenz warns Niels: the peasants are unlikely to welcome his return - it was Niels who ordered them to hand over weapons to Wittinghof. In general, Ebbesen’s peacefulness seems strange to the priest: isn’t Niels really blessed? “But does Father Lorenz have the right to talk to me like that?” - exclaims Ebbesen. “Probably,” he answers. Not so long ago, in a church where the count himself was among the parishioners, Father Lorenz delivered a sermon in which he exposed the powers that be, trampling on divine and human rights. After the sermon, he expected death. But the count came to him and praised: he preached well, the count was comforting to know that the truth in these places again spoke in all his voice. The count is so self-confident that he indulges in indulgence. Talking with him in human language is in vain; he only understands the language of the sword.
After listening to Lorenz, Niels comes to an unexpected decision: he goes to Randers, he will meet with the Count there! More aside, he can not stay. Literally with these words, his peasant tenants, who came to say goodbye, enter the house. He announces a decision to them: let them stay at home, he will go to Randers and agree with the Count! The peasants do not discourage Ebbesen, but swear to protect him, it would be a weapon. And the weapon is located: it is hidden behind barrels of beer in a warehouse in the church at the priest-drinker Lorenz. Ebbesen with the peasants goes on a journey. Wittinghof, who is following him, arrests the priest and tries to find out from him where and for what purpose Niels went. Lorenz laughs off, and then Wittinghof resorts to torture: from a pleasant guest and Friend at home, he instantly turns into an invader and executioner. Ruth calls the scene of torture calls her lover a flayer. He throws Lorenz and leaves for Randers - to be with the Count.
In Randers. Deep night. Count Gerhard is breathing heavily. He is awakened to the mass of the night. The count is dissatisfied: he was prevented from sleeping - someone was screaming in the street. He orders to find and hang the screaming one. The count strictly monitors the departure of the mass: there would be no passes. God cannot be deceived. Others are possible. But not God. They are interested in knowing if moving from the village benefited him. Yes, he is doing well. And now he can finish the job. He will create a strong state. On the foundations of mercy, justice and peace. The Count is merciful, since he destroys only that which has become obsolete. He is fair, because he recognizes the strongest as the winner. He brings peace with him, for peace is possible only when one rules, and the rest obey him.
Introduced by Niels Bugge. The count orders him to be hanged. Did the young Bugge come to Randers, using the security certificate issued by him, the count? Well, Bugge was stupid.
A messenger enters the count’s bedroom. He loudly announces: Gerhard's Holstein troops took the city of Ribe and burned Kolding. Great news! Who is this messenger? Was Niels Ebbesen granted to the Count? He probably wants the count to let the peasants go? No, the count will send them to the most dangerous places, from where they usually do not return. And he will send Niels there - that’s why he doesn’t order to hang him right away. Danes are generally worthless people. They do not want to interfere in anything, they always strive to stay on the sidelines. They refuse to fight for a great goal, but willingly get involved in small swaras. They have neither a sense of unity, nor responsibility, they are voracious and self-satisfied. The count does not know a single Dane who would have a strong will and was capable of a bold act.
“By what right does the count judge the Danes?” Ebbesen asks him a question. “By the right of the winner,” the count answers. Niels Ebbesen draws a sword hidden on his chest. From the hallway, peasants hurry to help him. The guard of the count is pushed back. He is defended only by brother-in-law of Niels Ebbesen, Ove Jose, and Niels without hesitation kills him. The count’s retinue is fleeing, while trying to save himself, he appeals to the rules of civilized behavior: you cannot attack in a robber manner, as Nils Ebbesen does, they can still agree, even if the young Bugge is an intermediary between them. Among other things, he, Count Gerhard, is in a foreign country, he is a foreigner, sick and defenseless. “By what right does Ebbesen want to kill me?” “By the right of the winner,” he answers. A faithful adviser and spy of Count Wittinghof are also killed in the bedroom.
Battlefield. There is a thick fog on it. The sound of guns and horse pounding is heard. Screams that Holstein are running. In the foreground are Ruth and Fr Gertrude, they are looking for Niels. Fru Gertrud is almost certain: her husband is dead. There can be no other way, because he went with a handful of peasants against Count Gerhard himself and his entire army! How she regrets having pushed him to it! “No,” says Father Lorenz, accompanying the women, “you need not be sorry for Niels, but be proud of him.” If he died, then with honor. However, the priest is sure - Ebbesen is alive. Travelers encounter in a fog a lonely hut and enter it. Appears on horseback Niels Ebbesen. Mortally tired, he gets off his horse and hastily wipes his sword on the grass. He is noticed by father Lorenz. “Is the count’s blood really the same red as the others?” He asks. Ebbesen admits: he killed the count and stained his sword with blood, he stained his shield and the honor of Denmark: he killed the unarmed! But Lorentz justifies it: there is a war going on, Count Gerhard himself began it, and one devil on earth became less.
The mistress of the hut comes to men - a middle-aged woman. Lorenz asks if there is anything in her house, they are very hungry. The woman had only two small breads she had stocked for the children. But she will give one of them, if it is true that Niels Ebbesen killed the bald count hated by everyone.
People are gathering. Young Bugge speaks to people. Before the Jutlanders lies a long and thorny path. But now they have the courage to go through it. Nils Ebbesen not only defeated their enemy - he restored the faith to his fellow tribesmen. And henceforth, whenever the Danes happen to lose their courage, the mere mention of his name will raise their spirits.
Ebbesen answers briefly to the speech of the young Bugge. He would always like to live in peace with his neighbors. But in order to live, you need to be free.
