Christen Christian Larsen was a cripple and vagabond from Himmerland, Denmark, who had the nickname Tordenkalven (English: Thunder calf). His mother was Maren Christensdatter and his father, Lars Sørensen, a house servant. He is especially known through Johannes V. Jensen's story about him. Tordenkalven was born outside marriage on 12 September 1816 at Stenildvad in . The family was very poor and he began to beg him for the family when he was only seven. After his confirmation he was employed on several farms. He was known for his enormous strength. When called up, he joined the infantry, but after two days in service he was discarded. During his appointment at the manor house Lundbæk at Nibe, he rode a horse, but it threw him off and he broke his leg. An incorrect coagulation of the femur