Christopher of Oldenburg

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Christopher of Oldenburg (Christoffer) circa 1504-August 4, 1566. German Count, regent in Eastern Denmark during the Count's War (or The Count’s Feud) 1534-1536 which was named after him.

He was the grandson of Count Gerhard of Oldenburg, a brother of King Christian I of Denmark. As a young man he was educated a clergyman but probably because of economic problems he later on chose a military career participating in wars in Germany. He was described an ”intellectual condottiere” possessing a classic Greek knowledge but apparently no great military talent.

As a grand-cousin of both Christian II and Christian III he took interest in Scandinavian politics. When the civil war broke out in Denmark 1534 after the death of Frederick I Christopher who had converted to Protestantism was hired by Lübeck as the military leader of the alliance of Danish commoners, Lübeck and Protestants against Christian III and the Danish nobility. The formal purpose of this alliance was the restoration of Christian II. Christopher’s own zeal seems to have been the Danish crown.

After a promising start in which he became the master of Zealand and Scania with the title of a regent and conquered Funen he had severe setbacks and quarrelled with his allies. Furthermore Lübeck involved the Duke Albrecht of Mecklenburg in the alliance offering him the Danish crown which created jealousy between the two war lords. Christian III’s conquest of both Jutland and Funen and the defection of Scania meant the breakdown of Christopher’s position and he was besieged in Copenhagen 1535-1536 together with his rival Albrecht until their capitulation.

After his defeat he returned to Oldenburg but several times he intervened into wars and struggles in Northern Germany. Among other things he planned an invasion in Sweden and supported the Schmalkaldic League. During his last years he lived in a monastery.