Ever wondered about a place with a name rooted in ancient landscapes? That place is Tjæreby. We are standing at Tjæreby in Roskilde. It is a place with a history stretching back centuries.
Tjæreby’s name offers a clue to its past. The word “tjære” is an old Nordic term. It describes a small body of water like a pond, a small lake, or a wetland. It is interesting that several towns in Denmark begin with Tjære. This hints at a landscape dotted with these features long ago. Tjæreby was originally called “Tyerby.”
Tjæreby has been mentioned as early as 1085. Back then, it was known as Tiarby. In 1682, Tjæreby consisted of 15 farms. There were no houses. The land was measured at 120 tønder hartkorn, an old Danish unit of land value.
Over time, Tjæreby evolved. In 1799, the land was divided up. Grydebjerggård became the largest farm. Lyngebæksgård was the second largest.
In the 1460s, Saint Laurentius Church in Lund owned a farm in Tjæreby. One farm belonged to the procuratorium of some gentlemen. Vor Frue Kloster in Roskilde also received the bishop’s tithe from the parish.
Tjæreby has a rich history connected to the land and its resources. It is a story of farms, landowners, and the church.