Kai Lykke
Kai Lykke (1625-1699), was a Danish nobleman and courtier.
Kai Lykke was the nephew of Anne Lykke and one of the richest landowners in Denmark, known for his debauched and expensive lifestyle. He was a courtier in 1646-1648 and a follower of Corfitz Ulfeldt. He was the commander of his own army in 1657.
He is foremost known for the great 1661 scandal in which he accused queen Sophie Amalie of adultery by writing to his mistress Sophie Abelsdatter that the queen used to have sexual relations with her lackeys. This letter was exposed to the king, and Lykke was sentenced to a great fine. When he fled to Sweden instead of paying, he was sentenced to death for Lèse-majesté, was executed in his absence and had his property in Denmark confiscated. He was allowed to return to Denmark after the death of queen Sophie Amalie in 1685.
Fiction
He was portrayed in Carit Etlar's novel Gjøngehøvdingen, and by Flemming Enevold in the TV-series of the same name made from the novel (1992).
References