Rytterskoler

The Rytterskoler (English: Rider schools or Cavalry schools) were 241 schools erected in Denmark in the years 1721–1727 for the education of common children. The schools were located in the 12 cavalry districts erected in 1715–1718 during the Great Nordic War (to reform and improve the cavalry in Denmark), from which the schools got their name. They were not military schools, as the name would otherwise suggest, but rather a predecessor to the Danish public school, founded in 1814.

The 12 districts were Copenhagen, Frederiksborg, Kronborg, Antvorskov, Tryggevælde, Vordingborg, Kolding, Dronningborg, Skanderborg, Falster, Lolland and Fyn. Each of these were meant to host 20 schools, making for 240 in all, however some districts received more than 20 and some less, but still 240 in all. A 13th district was erected on Møn in 1726 and a 241st school was built on Bogø in 1727.