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King Christian IV

Christian IV
Christian IV Pieter Isaacsz 1612.jpg
King of Denmark and Norway (more...)
Reign 4 April 1588 – 28 February 1648
Coronation 29 August 1596
Copenhagen Cathedral
Predecessor Frederick II
Successor Frederick III
Born (1577-04-12)12 April 1577
Frederiksborg Palace
Died 28 February 1648(1648-02-28) (aged 70)
Rosenborg Castle
Burial Roskilde Cathedral
Spouse Anne Catherine of Brandenburg
Kirsten Munk
Issue Christian, Prince-Elect of Denmark
Frederick III of Denmark
Ulrich, Administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Schwerin
Sophie Elisabeth Pentz
Leonora Christina Ulfeldt
Valdemar Christian of Schleswig-Holstein
Elisabeth Augusta Lindenov
Christiane Sehested
Hedevig Ulfeldt
Dorothea Elisabeth Christiansdatter
Christian Ulrik Gyldenløve
Hans Ulrik Gyldenløve
Ulrik Christian Gyldenløv
House Oldenburg
Father Frederick II of Denmark
Mother Sofie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Religion Lutheran

Christian IV (Danish: Christian den Fjerde; 12 April 1577 – 28 February 1648), sometimes colloquially referred to as Christian Firtal in Denmark and Christian Kvart or Quart in Norway, was king of Denmark-Norway and Duke of Holstein and Schleswig from 1588 to 1648. His 59-year reign is the longest of Danish monarchs, and of Scandinavian monarchies.

A member of the house of Oldenburg, Christian began his personal rule of Denmark in 1596 at the age of 19. He is frequently remembered as one of the most popular, ambitious, and proactive Danish kings, having initiated many reforms and projects. Christian IV obtained for his kingdom a level of stability and wealth that was virtually unmatched elsewhere in Europe. He engaged Denmark in numerous wars, most notably the Thirty Years' War (1618–48), which devastated much of Germany, undermined the Danish economy, and cost Denmark some of its conquered territories. He renamed the Norwegian capital Oslo as Christiania after himself, a name used until 1925.

Christian was born at Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark on 12 April 1577 as the third child and eldest son of King Frederick II of Denmark–Norway and Sofie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He was descended, through his mother's side, from king John of Denmark, and was thus the first descendant of King John to assume the crown since the deposition of King Christian II.

At the time, Denmark was still an elective monarchy, so in spite of being the eldest son Christian was not automatically heir to the throne. However, in 1580, at the age of 3, his father had him elected Prince-Elect and successor to the throne.


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