Glimpse of European History Thread #188

A king attempts to push in reforms, but loses his crown instead.

A union is dissolved, but another one forms.

A reform minded young prince watches by and claims the crown, if not for the feuding count.

Story in the evening … https://t.co/MHI2Mp1avC

— Ranjith Kollannur (@Arby_K) April 12, 2022

A king attempts to push in reforms, but loses his crown instead.

A union is dissolved, but another one forms.

A reform minded young prince watches by and claims the crown, if not for the feuding count.

Christian was born in 1503 to Frederik, joint Duke of Schleswig and Holstein, and Anna von Brandenburg. Frederik was the son of Christian, King of the Kalmar Union, which was then ruled by Frederik’s elder brother, Johan. But by 1503, Sweden had broken off from the Union. 1/10

The Kalmar Union was envisaged to unite the three Scandinavian kingdoms under a single ruler. But it didn't take long for hiccups to take place after the initial stage. Sweden, for most part, and Norway, briefly, forged their separate paths. 2/10

In 1520, King Christian (Johan's son) led a reconquest of Sweden. But his excessiveness soon backfired and led to the final break of Sweden from the Kalmar Union under a new king. Despite the setback, he also attempted to push for reforms in favour of the lower classes. 3/10

However, he ran into opposition from the nobles. Already seen to be sidestepping the nobles and the clergy in his policies, the reforms appear to have been a final break for them. In 1522, nobles from Jutland invited Frederik to become king. 4/10

Prince Frederik landed in a uneasy spot having to balance the opposing views of his supporters and deterrents. But by 1526 he had managed to become the king of both Denmark and Norway and put down rebellions and resistance by his nephew's supporters. 5/10

In 1526, Prince Christian became the stadtholder of Schleswig & Holstein, a role in which he excelled. But his resonance with the Lutheran faith put him at odds with the Catholic clergy of Denmark. King Frederik, however, had a better handle on religious differences. 6/10

The deposed King Christian attempted to reacquire his kingdoms with Habsburg help but he was defeated and imprisoned for the rest of his life by his uncle. King Frederik's death in 1533, however, created a dilemma since the Catholic clergy was opposed to his Lutheran son. 7/10

The Rigsråd opted for Christian's brother, Johan, instead. Meanwhile, Copenhagen and Malmö plotted to restore the imprisoned King Christian and received support from Count Christoph of Oldenburg. The Counts of Oldenburg were from a junior branch of the Danish royal family. 8/10

But it was Christian who prevailed, aided by his Lutheran neighbour, Sweden, and led by his general Johann Rantzau, who defeated Count Christoph and later forced Copenhagen and Malmö to capitulate. By 1537, Christian was king of both Denmark and Norway. 9/10

King Christian ushered in Lutheran faith to Denmark with his victory, reorganizing the church and appointing bishops. In 1544, he partitioned Schleswig-Holstein with his brothers, Johan (Hadersleben) and Adolf (Gottorp), though nominally all three ruled the the two Duchies. 10/10

Originally tweeted by Ranjith Kollannur (@Arby_K) on April 12, 2022.

Christian, Duke Of Schleswig (1533-1559), Duke of Holstein (1533-1559), King of Denmark (1534-1559), King of Norway (1537-1559) – The adoption of Lutheran faith in Denmark.