Elstorps Woods

During the war between Queen Margarita and Albrecht of Mecklenburg, the two armies met in Southern Halland. The Queen's troops had camped on the plains of Tjarby, half a mile north of Laholm, while the Prince's followers were camped near Weinge Church.

One morning, as was her custom, the Queen went to morning prayers in Tjarby Church, but she took the precaution of setting a guard on the so-called Queen's Mountain to warn her of any danger.

While she was deep in prayer, a messenger came to tell her that a few knights without attendants had been seen nearby.

"There's no danger yet," said the courageous Queen, and she continued praying at the altar.

Soon another messenger arrived, saying that as many as a hundred knights had appeared. The Queen told her people to stay calm and not to worry, for there was still no reason to be alarmed.

Finally, a messenger came to say that the entire Elstorps Woods seemed to be alive and moving toward Tjarby.

"Now, my children, we're in for a hard battle, but God will give us the victory," said the Queen.

She jumped onto her horse and led her warriors out to meet the enemy.

The enemy had used a trick, like the one in the story of Macbeth: each soldier carried a green bush in front of him, hoping to surprise the Queen's troops. But the Queen saw through the ruse and won a brilliant victory.

To show her gratitude to God, she rebuilt the old church at Tjarby, and ever since that day, no birch tree in Elstorps Woods has grown taller than a man's head.