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Christoffer IIKing of Denmark from 13 November 1319 to 7 June 1326
Date of Birth: 29.09.1276
Country:  Denmark |
Content:
- Early Life and Regency
- First Reign (1319-1326)
- Conflict and Overthrow
- Second Reign and Decline
- Defeats and Death
- Legacy and Impact
- Family and Children
- Margaret (1305-1340), married Ludwig V, Duke of Bavaria
Early Life and Regency
Christopher II was born as the son of King Eric V of Denmark and Agnes of Brandenburg. As the younger brother of King Eric VI, he was considered a potential heir to the throne. In his early years, he held the title of Duke of Estonia and supported his brother's policies. However, in 1294, he arrested Archbishop Jens Grand, whom his brother had been feuding with. This act led to Christopher's downfall and he was exiled from Denmark in 1319.
First Reign (1319-1326)
Upon the death of Eric VI on November 13, 1319, the Danish nobility sought a weak king and elected Christopher. He was crowned in 1320 after signing an agreement (Håndfæstning) with the nobility. The kingdom he inherited was nearly bankrupt, with significant territories mortgaged to German and Danish magnates. The Håndfæstning severely limited Christopher's fiscal and political authority.
Conflict and Overthrow
Christopher's attempts to strengthen his position by resuming Eric VI's military policy in Northern Germany led to further mortgaging and taxation. Soon, he faced conflicts with both the Church and the nobility. In 1326, a rebellion led by Danish nobles and Count Gerhard III of Holstein deposed Christopher. He was exiled, and Duke Valdemar of Schleswig became king.
Second Reign and Decline
Christopher lived in exile until 1329. The increasing chaos in Denmark and the feuding between Count Gerhard III and his cousin, Count Johan III of Holstein (Christopher's half-brother), provided him with an opportunity to regain the throne. With Johan III's mediation, Christopher reoccupied the Danish throne in 1329-1330. However, he was a mere figurehead from the outset, with most of the country's territories mortgaged and little room for independent policymaking.
Defeats and Death
In 1331, Christopher sided with Johan III against Gerhard III, but it resulted in a military defeat at Danevirke. While he formally remained king under the peace settlement, Christopher was a broken man. He died on the island of Lolland in 1332.
Legacy and Impact
Upon Christopher's death, Denmark ceased to be a kingdom, with the mortgaged lands and the German nobility ruling for the next eight years. While Christopher is typically judged as a weak and unreliable tyrant who "mortgaged Denmark to the Germans," he largely continued the policies of his predecessor. The trend of mortgaging territories had begun long before his reign, and it would be inaccurate to label him as a passive ruler. The unwavering resistance of the Danish nobility, in collaboration with the Holsteiners, limited his freedom of action to a significant extent.
Family and Children
In 1300, Christopher married Euphemia of Pomerania. They had at least six children:
Margaret (1305-1340), married Ludwig V, Duke of Bavaria
Eric (1307-1331)Otto, Duke of Lolland and Estonia (born c. 1310 - died after 1347)
Agnes (died 1312), died in infancy
Helwig (born c. 1315)
Valdemar IV (1320-1375), King of Denmark
