Oberbech-Clausen, Einar

Einar er den yngste af en større flok af brødre. Alle de ældre brødre er døbt Clausen. Einar er døbt Offer (formentlig efter en onkel) Oberbech (efter moderen) Clausen (efter faderen), men ved kongelig bevilling af 24.2.1886 har familien tilladelse til at anvende navnet Oberbech-Clausen, hvorefter alle kirkebøgerne er rettet til dette navn - også Einar som nu fik en bindestreg! Kirkebogen er iøvrigt også rettet fsv. angår fornavnet!

Uddannelse

Ejnar fik, efter faderens ønske, eksamen fra Realskolen og blev uddannet hos en manufakturhandler samt ved et Handelsakademi i København. Ejnar havde dog en udlængsel til Frankrig som blev støttet af hans moder, men ikke af faderen. Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen investerer sine sparepenge i onklens modehus i Stockholm, men Frankrig trækker mere.

Paris

Efter faderens død i 1905, fik Ejnar ved hjælp af arv, muligheden for at tage til Paris i Frankrig, hvor han i 1906 blev optaget på en fornem fransk kostskole i udkanten af Paris - Lycée Lakanal - en skole som stadig eksisterer i dag. Se Wikipedia, hvor fotoet også stammer fra.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=661170

Ejnar havde store ambitioner for sig selv. Ambitioner som stadig blev støtte af hans mor som efter at have solgt familiens gård "Silkeborghuset" i 1906 flyttede til Paris.

Ved hjælp af forbindelser fik Ejnar arbejde på en vingård i Bordeaux.

Education

At his father's request, Ejnar graduated from Realskolen and was educated by a manufacturer and at a commercial academy in Copenhagen. However, Ejnar had an emigration to France which was supported by his mother, but not by his father. Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen invests his savings in his uncle's fashion house in Stockholm, but France draws more.

Paris

After his father's death in 1905, Ejnar was able, through inheritance, to go to Paris, France, where in 1906 he was admitted to a distinguished French boarding school on the outskirts of Paris - Lycée Lakanal - a school that still exists today. See Wikipedia, where the photo also originates.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=661170

Ejnar had great ambitions for himself. Ambitions that were still supported by his mother who after selling the family farm "Silkeborghuset" in 1906 moved to Paris.

Through connections Ejnar got a job at a vineyard in Bordeaux.

Vingård, efterår 1907

Vingården, som Oberbech-Clausen fik arbejde på, var Chateau Mille-Secousses, ejet og drevet af greve Robert Chenu-Lafitte og hans hustru Marie Henriette. Greven besiddelser bestod ikke alene af denne vingård, men af 4 vingårde og 3 ejendomme i Paris.

Vineyard, autumn 1907

The vineyard on which Oberbech-Clausen worked was Chateau Mille-Secousses, owned and run by Count Robert Chenu-Lafitte and his wife Marie Henriette. The Count's holdings consisted not only of this vineyard, but of 4 vineyards and 3 properties in Paris.

Anekdote:

Navnet "Mille Secousses" betyder "tusind rystelser" og legenden fortæller at Ludvig den 14., Solkongen, efter i 1660, at være blevet gift med Maria Teresa af Spanien in absentia, var taget på tur med sin elskerinde på floden, da et uvejr overrasker dem, og de søger ly hos Chenu-Lafitte. Kongen klager over de tusinde bump som førte til vinslottet og deraf navnet. Som tak husly forærede Ludvig den 14. værten et par sølvterriner, som den dag i dag kan ses på Voergaard Slot.

Ludvig 14. (fransk: Louis XIV, Louis le Grand) (5. september 1638 i Saint-Germain-en-Laye – 1. september 1715 i Versailles) var konge af Frankrig fra 1643 til 1715. Han kaldes Solkongen (fransk: le Roi Soleil).

Greveparret mister datteren

Grev Chenu-Lafitte og grevinde Henriettes datter, Marie Elisabeth Madeleine Henriette Nikita Chenu-Lafitte født 1897, dør allerede i 1904 (eller 1906), kun 7 eller 9 år gammel. Tilbage er nu kun storebroderen Pierre (eller Rene).

Ægteskab med grevinden

På vingården gør Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen sig positivt bemærket og bliver sekretær og ansvarlig for høsten. Og efterhånden som grevens helbred svækkes, knyttes Ejnar tættere og tættere til den omfattende vinforretning og engagementet i Stockholm afvikles.

Da greve Chenu-Lafitte dør i 1908, kun 42 år gammel, bliver Ejnar udnævnt til værge for grevens søn, Rene. Og i de efterfølgende år, vinder Ejnar og enkegrevinde Henriette mere og mere sympati for hinanden.

Året efter kan man læse i Nyborg Avis om forlovelsen og i januar 1910 bliver den 27-årige Ejnar gift med den seks år ældre grevinde. I den forbindelse konverterer Oberbech-Clausen til katolicisme og det er Paris' biskop som forestår vielsen.

Den store krig 1914-18

Grevindens søn af første ægteskab, Pierre (Rene) var pilot? (Eller infantarist) i den Første Verdenskrig og blev skudt ned og dræbt i 1918. (Kultegning i mindestuen - ligner en pige)

Pierre hed måske Roger Paul Charle Rene Chenu-Lafitte, født 5. marts 1895. Iflg. hjemmesiden www.memorialgenweb.org født på adressen 24 bd Malesherbes - Mille-Secousses et Redes tilhørende Chenu-Lafitte familien.

Samme kilde angiver at han var korporal i 360. infanteri. Fik tildelt Croix de Guerre Citat: "En meget energisk korporal, der fuldstændig ignorerede fare. Blev dræbt i spidsen for sin gruppe den 12. september 1916 da de angreb fjendens skyttegrav"

Nord Bornholms Ugeblad 1922

Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen svarer på spørgsmål omkring vindyrkning:

http://www.allinge-sandvig-byforening.dk/arkiv/nbu/1922/1922-07-14.pdf

Svigerfar kirurg Jules-Émile Péan

Grevinde Henriette Chenu-Lafittes far var den berømte og særdeles velhavende kirurg Jules-Émile Péan, kendt for sin høje hygiejne og en patientkreds blandt de fine. Han opfandt arterieklemmen som forhindrer patienterne i at miste for meget blod under en operation. Péan var en ivrig kunstsamler.

Anecdote:

The name "Mille Secousses" means "thousand tremors" and the legend tells that Louis XIV, the Sun King, after having married Maria Teresa of Spain in absentia in 1660, had gone for a walk with his mistress on the river when a storm overtakes them and they seek shelter at Chenu-Lafitte. The king complains about the thousand bumps that led to the wine castle, hence the name. In gratitude, Louis XIV gave the host a pair of silver trinkets, which can be seen today at Voergaard Castle.

Louis 14th (French: Louis XIV, Louis le Grand) (5 September 1638 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye - 1 September 1715 in Versailles) was King of France from 1643 to 1715. He is called the Sun King (French: le Roi Soleil).

The Count and Countess lose their daughter

Count Chenu-Lafitte and Countess Henriette's daughter, Marie Elisabeth Madeleine Henriette Nikita Chenu-Lafitte, born in 1897, died in 1904 (or 1906), aged only 7 or 9. Only her elder brother Pierre (or Rene) remains.

Marriage to the Countess

At the vineyard, Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen makes a positive impression and becomes secretary and responsible for the harvest. And as the Count's health weakens, Ejnar becomes more and more closely involved in the extensive wine business and his involvement in Stockholm is wound up.

When Count Chenu-Lafitte dies in 1908, aged only 42, Ejnar is appointed guardian to the Count's son, Rene. And in the years that follow, Ejnar and widow Henriette grow increasingly fond of each other.

The following year, Nyborg Newspaper reports on the engagement, and in January 1910, 27-year-old Ejnar marries the Countess, who is six years older. Oberbech-Clausen converts to Catholicism and the Bishop of Paris performs the wedding.

The Great War 1914-18

The Countess's son by her first marriage, Pierre (Rene) was a pilot? (Or infantryman) in the First World War and was shot down and killed in 1918. (Cult drawing in the memorial - looks like a girl)

Pierre may have been Roger Paul Charle Rene Chenu-Lafitte, born 5 March 1895. According to the website www.memorialgenweb.org born at the address 24 bd Malesherbes - Mille-Secousses et Redes belonging to the Chenu-Lafitte family.

The same source indicates that he was a corporal in the 360th infantry. Awarded the Croix de Guerre Quote: 'A very energetic corporal who completely ignored danger. Killed at the head of his group on 12 September 1916 when they attacked an enemy trench."

Nord Bornholms Ugeblad 1922

Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen answers questions about wine growing:

http://www.allinge-sandvig-byforening.dk/arkiv/nbu/1922/1922-07-14.pdf

Father-in-law surgeon Jules-Émile Péan

Countess Henriette Chenu-Lafitte's father was the famous and extremely wealthy surgeon Jules-Émile Péan, known for his high hygiene and a patient base among the finest. He invented the artery clamp, which prevents patients from losing too much blood during an operation. Péan was an avid art collector.

Moderens død 1926

Efter cirka 20 år i Frankrig hos sønnen, dør Oberbech-Clausens mor, Sidsel Marie Henriette Frederikke Oberbech Clausen i 1926. Hun begraves hjemme i Nyborg ved siden af sin mand Henrik Clausen.

Death of the mother 1926

After about 20 years in France with her son, Oberbech-Clausen's mother, Sidsel Marie Henriette Frederikke Oberbech Clausen, dies in 1926. She is buried at home in Nyborg next to her husband Henrik Clausen.

Romersk rigsgreve 1927

Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen støtter fuldt ud det velgørenhedsarbejde som Marie-Henriette i årevis har udført. Han hjælper med store pengegaver til lokale humanitære organisationer, støtter Røde Kors og den katolske kirkes nødhjælpsarbejde. Som en formel påskønnelse af hans store kirkelige og sociale engagement udnævnte pave Benedikt XV ham i 1927 til romersk rigsgreve. Han er den sidste udenfor kongehusene der får denne anerkendelse.

I stolthed over at være ridder af Maltheserordenen, lod han sig i 1959 portrættere i uniformen og det maleri hænger nu på Voergaard Slot i Guldsalen. (Uniformen ligger til beskuelse i Riddersalen)

Gennem årene modtager Oberbech-Clausen flere udnævnelser.

Roman count 1927

Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen fully supports the charity work that Marie-Henriette has been doing for years. He helps with large monetary donations to local humanitarian organisations, supports the Red Cross and the Catholic Church's relief work. In formal recognition of his great ecclesiastical and social commitment, Pope Benedict XV appointed him a Count of the Roman Empire in 1927. He is the last person outside the royal family to receive this recognition.

In 1959, proud to be a Knight of the Order of Malta, he had his portrait painted in uniform, and this painting now hangs in the Gold Hall at Voergaard Palace. (The uniform is on display in the Knights' Hall)

Over the years Oberbech-Clausen received several appointments.

Mellemkrigsårene

Både personligt og økonomisk går det forrygende for Oberbech-Clausen. Parret råder over følgende fire vinslotte:

• Château Mille-Secousses

  • • I 2010 bliver en del af Chateau Mille-Secousses solgt fra sammen med navnet Chateau Chenu-Lafitte til en kinesisk milliardær som en fødselsdagsgave til hans 20 årige søn - måske fordi navnet Chenu Lafitte minder om det berømte Chateau Lafite Rothschild - et helt andet vinslot.

• Château Mille-Secousses

  • In 2010, part of Chateau Mille-Secousses is sold off along with the name Chateau Chenu-Lafitte to a Chinese billionaire as a birthday present for his 20 year old son - perhaps because the name Chenu Lafitte is reminiscent of the famous Chateau Lafite Rothschild - a completely different wine estate.

• • Château Pérenne

    • Se Gyldendal

    • Vin solgt 2018 for EUR 84

    • I 2016 bliver Chateau Pérenne køb af kinesiske milliardær Jack Ma (Alibaba stifter)

• Château Pérenne

  • See Gyldendal

  • Wine sold 2018 for EUR 84

  • In 2016 Chateau Pérenne is bought by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma (Alibaba founder)

• • Château Saint-Genès

    • Ejes i dag af Bernard Margrez som ejer op til 37 vinslotte.

• Château Saint-Genès

  • Owned today by Bernard Margrez who owns up to 37 wine estates.

• Château Gourdet

  • • I dag Bed & Breakfast - søg evt. på booking.com

AOC - Appellation d'Origin Contrôlée indføres i 1935, og Ejnar moderniserer og udbygger sine slotte og effektiviserer driften.

• Château Gourdet

  • • Today Bed & Breakfast - search booking.com

AOC - Appellation d'Origin Contrôlée is introduced in 1935, and Ejnar modernizes and expands his chateaux and streamlines operations.

Henriette dræbt under bombardement af Bordeaux 1941

Den tyske værnemagt beslaglægger kortvarigt familiens slot Saint-Genés, men den ubehagelige oplevelse gør, at familien bosætter sig i deres palæ Les Chartrons i Bordeaux - ikke langt fra Børsen.

Da Royal Air Force den 8. december 1941 (dagen efter Pearl Harbour) bomber Børsen fordi besættelsesmagten havde planlagt et møde der, rammes de nærliggende palæer også og grevinden såres alvorligt og dør 3 uger senere.

Hun bisættes i familiegravestedet på Cimetiére de Montmartre. Da grevindens to børn af første ægteskab er døde, bliver Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen nu enearving til vinslotte, ejendomme, kunstsamlinger fra både Chenu-Lafitte og Pean familien.

Oberbech-Clausen opgiver vinbranchen efter krigen

Uden ægtefælle og børn vælger Oberbech-Clausen ved krigens slutning af afhænde alle vinslotte og palæet i Bordeaux. For pengene køber han flere ejendomme i Paris, hvor han i forvejen rådede over ejendomme fra sin svigerfar.

• 24, Boulevard Malesherbes, Le Royal Malesherbes

• 62, Rue St. Lazare

Drømmen om et slot i Danmark

Fra tiden på Juelsberg på Fyn, havde Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen en drøm om at eje et slot i Danmark.

Hans krav til herregården var:

• • Et dansk herresæde

  • Præget af skønhed og historisk ry

  • Der skulle være voldgrave

  • Der skulle være svære mure

  • og park, skov og marker

Det var ikke nemt, men barndommen drøm gik i opfyldelse, da Voergaard Slot kom til salg.

Køb af Voergaard

Einar Oberbech-Clausen stiftede Den grevelige Oberbech-Clausen-Péanske familiefond, som skulle stå som ejer af Voergaard. Oberbech-Clausens købte medio februar 1955 Voergaard samt tilliggende Pulsgården af grosserer og konsul P. E. Rützebeck (norsk konsul, født 29. maj 1885 i Aalborg, købmand i firmaet Chr. Simoni, død 10. november 1959 og begravet på Almen Kirkegaard, Aalborg. Rützebeck havde købt Voergaard i september 1944 af tidligere statsminister Erik Scavenius)

Samtidig med overtagelsen skiftedes forpagteren ud. Den nye forpagter fik 370 tønder agerbrug og 100 malkekøer til disposition.

Omegnens aviser og dagblade skrev i tiden efter købet flittigt om den danske greve og om Voergaard.

Oberbech-Clausen fortæller i Vendsyssel Tidende den 11. september 1955 at planen med slottet er i 3 afsnit:

1. Gennemgribende restaurering af slottet med oppudsning af renæssancefacaden på østfløjen og fjernelse af 400 års mudder og dynd fra den tørlagte voldgrav.

2. Overførsel af kunstskatte fra Grevens palæ i Paris. Flere kunstskatte er desværre fulgt med salget af de fire vinslotte i Frankrig.

3. Sikring af Voergaard og bevaring af kunstskattene længst muligt ved oprettelse af legat til bevaring af Voergaard.

Restaureringen blev afsluttet i 1956. Dæmningen blev erstattet af en bro, med kopier af munkesten omkring et betonskelet.

I forbindelse med et besøg af Dansk Kvindesamfund i 1959 fortæller Frederikshavns Avis at det smukke gyldenlædertapet i Guldsalen, var dækket af 4 lag almindeligt tapet da Oberbech-Clausen overtog godset. Måske er det derfor det er så velbevaret.

Henriette killed during the bombardment of Bordeaux 1941

The German occupying forces briefly seize the family's chateau at Saint-Genés, but the unpleasant experience leads the family to settle in their mansion, Les Chartrons, in Bordeaux - not far from the Stock Exchange.

When the Royal Air Force bombs the Exchange on 8 December 1941 (the day after Pearl Harbour) because the occupying forces had planned a meeting there, the nearby mansions are also hit and the Countess is seriously wounded and dies 3 weeks later.

She is buried in the family tomb at the Cimetiére de Montmartre. As the Countess's two children by her first marriage have died, Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen now becomes the sole heir to the wine estates, properties and art collections of both the Chenu-Lafitte and Pean families.

Oberbech-Clausen gives up the wine business after the war

At the end of the war, without a spouse or children, Oberbech-Clausen decides to sell all his wine estates and his mansion in Bordeaux. With the money he buys several properties in Paris, where he already had property from his father-in-law.

• 24, Boulevard Malesherbes, Le Royal Malesherbes

• 62, Rue St. Lazare

The dream of a castle in Denmark

From his time at Juelsberg on Funen, Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen had a dream of owning a castle in Denmark.

His requirements for the manor house were:

• A Danish manor house

• Characterised by beauty and historical reputation

• There had to be moats

• There had to be heavy walls

• and parkland, woodland and fields

It wasn't easy, but the childhood dream came true when Voergaard Castle came up for sale.

Purchase of Voergaard

Einar Oberbech-Clausen founded the Count Oberbech-Clausen-Péanske family foundation, which was to be the owner of Voergaard. In mid-February 1955, the Oberbech-Clausens bought Voergaard and the adjacent Pulsgården from the merchant and consul P. E. Rützebeck (Norwegian consul, born 29 May 1885 in Aalborg, merchant in the firm Chr. Simoni, died 10 November 1959 and is buried at Almen Kirkegaard, Aalborg. Rützebeck had bought Voergaard in September 1944 from former Prime Minister Erik Scavenius)

At the same time as the takeover, the tenant was replaced. The new tenant was given 370 acres of arable land and 100 dairy cows.

In the period after the purchase, the local newspapers and magazines wrote extensively about the Danish count and Voergaard.

Oberbech-Clausen reported in Vendsyssel Tidende on 11 September 1955 that the plan for the castle was in three sections:

1. Thorough restoration of the castle with plastering of the Renaissance facade on the east wing and removal of 400 years of mud and silt from the drained moat.

2. Transfer of art treasures from the Count's Palace in Paris. Unfortunately, several art treasures have gone with the sale of the four wine castles in France.

3. Safeguarding Voergaard and preserving the art treasures for as long as possible by setting up a Voergaard conservation trust.

The restoration was completed in 1956. The dam was replaced by a bridge, with replicas of monks' stone around a concrete skeleton.

In connection with a visit by the Danish Women's Society in 1959, Frederikshavns Avis reports that the beautiful golden leather wallpaper in the Gold Hall was covered with four layers of ordinary wallpaper when Oberbech-Clausen took over the estate. Perhaps that is why it is so well preserved.