The Ghost at Fjelkinge
by Herman Hofberg · from Swedish fairy tales
Adapted Version
Margaretta was a kind, brave lady. Lady Margaretta lived in a big house. She was very kind. She helped many people.
One day, she went to an old inn. She chose a special room. People said a ghost was there. They said a bad act happened there. Lady Margaretta was not scared.
At night, Lady Margaretta slept. A sad ghost appeared in the room. The ghost looked hurt. It came from under the floor. Lady Margaretta woke up.
The Sad Ghost asked for help. It wanted a good place to rest. It wanted to find who hurt him. No one else helped before. Lady Margaretta listened well.
Lady Margaretta was very brave. She took off her gold ring. She put it where the ghost looked hurt. She put her cloth on its head. The ghost felt better.
The Sad Ghost looked thankful. It told her a secret. It told her who did it. Then it went away. It made no sound.
Next morning, Lady Margaretta woke up. She called people to the inn. She told all people what happened. They listened to her story. It was a strange night.
Lady Margaretta asked them to lift the floor. They found an old body there. Her ring was on the body. Her cloth was also there. The ghost was right.
One man got very scared. He turned very pale. He said he did the bad act. He took the man's things. He was The Bad Man.
The Bad Man was punished. He did a very bad act. The old body got a good rest. It rested in a church yard. The Sad Ghost was happy.
Lady Margaretta's ring was special. It had a special magic. People kept it safe always. It was a very good ring. It helped many people.
Lady Margaretta was very brave. She helped the sad ghost. Being kind and brave is a good thing. And so, the sad ghost could then rest. All thanks to brave Lady Margaretta.
Original Story
The Ghost at Fjelkinge.
During the early half of the Seventeenth Century many of the best estates in Skåne belonged to the family of Barkenow, or more correctly, to the principal representative of the family, Madame Margaretta Barkenow, daughter of the renowned general and governor-general, Count Rutger Von Ascheberg, and wife of Colonel Kjell Kristofer Barkenow.
A widow at twenty-nine, she took upon herself the management of her many estates, in the conduct of which she ever manifested an indomitable, indefatigable energy, and a never-ceasing care for her numerous dependents.
On a journey over her estates, Madame Margaretta came, one evening, to Fjelkinge’s inn, and persisted in sleeping in a room which was called the “ghost’s room.” A traveler had, a few years before, slept in this room, and as it was supposed had been murdered, at least the man and his effects had disappeared, leaving no trace of what had become of them. After this his ghost appeared in the room nightly, and those who were acquainted with the circumstance, traveled to the next post, in the dark, rather than choose such quarters for the night. Margaretta was, however, not among this number. She possessed greater courage, and without fear chose the chamber for her sleeping room.
After her evening prayers she retired to bed and sleep, leaving the lamp burning. At twelve o’clock she was awakened by the lifting up of two boards in the floor, and from the opening a bloody form appeared, with a cloven head hanging upon its shoulders.
“Noble lady,” whispered the apparition, “I beg you prepare, for a murdered man, a resting place in consecrated ground, and speed the murderer to his just punishment.”
Pure in heart, therefore not alarmed, Lady Margaretta beckoned the apparition to come nearer, which it did, informing her that it had entreated others, who after the murder had slept in the room, but that none had the courage to comply. Then Lady Margaretta took from her finger a gold ring, laid it in the gaping wound, and bound the apparition’s head up with her pocket handerchief. With a glance of unspeakable thankfulness the ghost revealed the name of the murderer and disappeared noiselessly beneath the floor.
The following morning Lady Margaretta instructed the bailiff of the estate to assemble the people at the post house, where she informed them what had happened during the night, and commanded that the planks of the floor be taken up. Here, under the ground, was discovered a half decomposed corpse, with the countess’ ring in the hole in its skull, and her handkerchief bound around its head.
At sight of this, one of those present grew pale and fainted to the ground. Upon being revived he confessed that he had murdered the traveler and robbed him of his goods. He was condemned to death for his crime, and the murdered man received burial in the parish church-yard.
The ring, which is peculiarly formed and set with a large grayish chased stone, remains even now in the keeping of the Barkenow family, and is believed to possess miraculous powers in sickness, against evil spirits and other misfortunes. When one of the family dies it is said that a red, bloodlike spot appears upon the stone.
Story DNA
Moral
Courage and a pure heart can bring justice to the wronged and peace to the restless.
Plot Summary
In 17th-century Skåne, the courageous widow Madame Margaretta Barkenow insists on sleeping in a haunted room at Fjelkinge's inn. A bloody ghost appears, revealing it was murdered and asking for a proper burial and justice. Margaretta, unafraid, places her ring in its wound and binds its head, prompting the ghost to name its killer. The next morning, the body is exhumed with Margaretta's items, leading to the murderer's confession and condemnation. The victim is finally laid to rest, and the ring becomes a family heirloom with mystical properties.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to relief | injustice to justice
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Skåne was a Danish province until 1658 when it became Swedish. The story is set in the early half of the 17th century, a period of transition and conflict in the region. The reference to 'Count Rutger Von Ascheberg' grounds the story in a specific historical lineage, as he was a real Swedish field marshal and governor-general.
Plot Beats (11)
- Madame Margaretta Barkenow, a courageous and capable widow, manages her family's estates in 17th-century Skåne.
- During a journey, she arrives at Fjelkinge's inn and chooses to sleep in the infamous 'ghost's room', where a traveler was supposedly murdered years ago.
- At midnight, she is awakened by a bloody apparition with a cloven head rising from the floorboards.
- The ghost pleads with her to arrange a proper burial and ensure its murderer faces justice, stating others lacked the courage to help.
- Unafraid, Margaretta places her gold ring into the ghost's wound and binds its head with her handkerchief.
- The ghost, with a look of gratitude, reveals the murderer's name and vanishes.
- The next morning, Margaretta gathers the people at the post house and recounts the night's events.
- She commands the floorboards of the room to be lifted, revealing a decomposed corpse with her ring in its skull and her handkerchief around its head.
- One man present turns pale, faints, and upon revival, confesses to murdering the traveler and robbing him.
- The murderer is condemned to death, and the victim receives a proper burial in the parish church-yard.
- Margaretta's ring, now a family heirloom, is believed to possess miraculous powers and shows a blood-like spot when a family member dies.
Characters
Madame Margaretta Barkenow ★ protagonist
A woman of noble bearing, likely of average height and a slender but resilient build, reflecting her active management of estates. Her features would suggest a Northern European heritage, with fair skin and a composed expression.
Attire: A practical yet elegant dark wool or brocade gown, likely in deep blues, greens, or browns, with a fitted bodice, long sleeves, and a full skirt, indicative of a wealthy widow managing her estates in 17th-century Skåne, Sweden. She would wear a white linen chemise underneath, with a modest lace or embroidered collar visible at the neckline. Her attire would be sturdy enough for travel but still convey her noble status.
Wants: To manage her estates effectively, care for her dependents, and uphold justice and order.
Flaw: Her unwavering courage, while a strength, could also lead her into dangerous situations that others would avoid.
She begins as a capable estate manager and ends as a proven dispenser of justice, having solved a long-standing mystery and brought peace to a troubled spirit.
Indomitable, indefatigable, courageous, compassionate, just, practical.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult noblewoman standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has light brown hair neatly pulled back, composed light grey eyes, and fair skin. She wears a dark blue wool gown with a fitted bodice, long sleeves, and a full skirt, with a modest white linen collar visible at the neckline. A gold ring with a large grayish chased stone is on her right hand. Her posture is confident and her expression is calm and resolute. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Ghost ◆ supporting
A spectral, bloody form, appearing as a man who suffered a violent death. His body is described as 'bloody' and his head 'cloven,' indicating severe trauma. He is ethereal and capable of appearing from and disappearing into the floorboards.
Attire: Likely the tattered and blood-stained remnants of a traveler's clothing from the early 17th century, possibly simple wool or linen garments, now decayed and spectral.
Wants: To find a proper burial in consecrated ground and see his murderer brought to justice, so his spirit can rest.
Flaw: Inability to act physically in the world; dependent on a living person's courage and compassion.
Begins as a restless, suffering spirit seeking justice and ends by finding peace and a proper burial thanks to Madame Margaretta.
Suffering, persistent, desperate for justice, grateful.
Image Prompt & Upload
A translucent, ethereal figure of indeterminate age, appearing as a faded human silhouette. It wears tattered, flowing robes of misty grey and white that seem to dissolve at the edges. Its form is semi-transparent, revealing a faint, sorrowful expression with hollow, glowing eyes. It hovers slightly above the ground with a posture of gentle deference, one hand outstretched as if offering silent assistance. The atmosphere is cool and faintly luminous. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Murderer ⚔ antagonist
An ordinary man, likely a local resident or inn employee, whose appearance would not immediately betray his dark secret. His sudden paleness and fainting upon seeing the corpse reveal his guilt.
Attire: Simple, functional clothing of a common person or inn worker in 17th-century Skåne, such as a coarse linen shirt, wool breeches, and a jerkin, likely in muted, earthy tones.
Wants: Greed, leading him to murder and rob the traveler.
Flaw: His conscience, which ultimately breaks under pressure, and his inability to escape the consequences of his actions.
Begins as an unpunished criminal living among others and ends as a confessed murderer condemned to death.
Greedy, cowardly, deceitful, capable of violence.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tall, gaunt figure in a tattered black hooded cloak, face hidden in deep shadow except for a sharp chin and thin, cruel lips curled into a slight sneer. Pale, long-fingered hands grip the handle of a wicked-looking dagger with a dark, tarnished blade. He stands in a tense, predatory posture, one foot slightly forward as if ready to lunge. His clothing beneath the cloak is dark leather and rough-spun fabric, practical and worn. A faint, unnatural greenish glow emanates from within the hood where the eyes should be. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Fjelkinge's Inn
A post house or inn in Skåne, likely a timber-framed building with a thatched or tiled roof, typical of 17th-century Swedish rural architecture, providing lodging for travelers.
Mood: Initially mundane and weary from travel, later becomes eerie and suspenseful due to the ghost's reputation, then resolves into a place of justice.
Madame Margaretta arrives and chooses to stay, setting the stage for the supernatural encounter.
Image Prompt & Upload
A 17th-century Swedish rural inn, constructed with dark, weathered timber framing and infill, featuring a steeply pitched thatched roof. Smoke gently curls from a stone chimney. The building sits beside a dirt road, with a few bare trees silhouetted against a pale, overcast sky at dusk. Warm, inviting light spills from a few small, leaded-pane windows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The 'Ghost's Room' at Fjelkinge's Inn
A simple, sparsely furnished room within the inn, likely with wooden floorboards, a bed, and a lamp. The floorboards conceal a gruesome secret.
Mood: Initially calm and quiet, becoming intensely eerie and supernatural when the ghost appears, then solemn and purposeful as the truth is revealed.
Madame Margaretta confronts the ghost, learns the truth of the murder, and places her ring and handkerchief on the apparition.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit 17th-century Swedish inn room at night, with rough-hewn wooden floorboards and simple plaster walls. A small, four-poster bed with plain linen drapes stands against one wall. An oil lamp casts flickering, warm light, creating deep shadows. In the center of the floor, two floorboards are visibly lifted, revealing a dark, earthy opening beneath. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Parish Church-yard
A consecrated burial ground adjacent to a parish church, typical of 17th-century Skåne, likely featuring simple grave markers and perhaps a few trees.
Mood: Solemn and respectful, representing peace and final rest after justice has been served.
The murdered man receives a proper burial, bringing closure to the tragic event.
Image Prompt & Upload
A serene 17th-century Swedish parish church-yard under a soft, overcast daytime sky. Simple, weathered wooden crosses and rough-hewn stone markers dot the grassy ground. In the background, the modest stone walls and red-tiled roof of a small, sturdy church are visible. A few mature birch trees with pale bark stand tall, their branches bare or lightly leafed. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
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