Christian Albert (3 February 1641, Gottorp – 6 January 1695, Gottorp) was a duke of Holstein-Gottorp and bishop of Lübeck.
He was a son of Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, and his wife Princess Marie Elisabeth of Saxony. Christian Albertbecame duke when his father died in the Castle Tönning, besieged by the King Christian V of Denmark. Christian Albertwas forced to flee and the remainder of his life was characterized by his fight with Denmark. Even the marriage with the daughter of King Frederick III of Denmark, arranged in the hope for peace, changed nothing. During Christian Albert's reign, the connection with Sweden, having been initiated by his father, was strengthened, which provided some protection. However, this also led to the duchy being pulled into all of Sweden's conflicts, including the Great Northern War and several wars with Denmark.
From 1675 to 1689, Christian Albert lived in exile in Hamburg. However, with the aid of the Holy Roman Emperor and the European allies, he managed to force the Danish king to sign the so-called Altonaer Vergleich, which allowed to him regain his former position.
On 5 October 1665, he founded the University of Kiel. The painter Jürgen Ovens worked more than 30 years for him and his father Frederick III of Holstein-Gottorp. In 1678 the duke took part in the founding of the Hamburg Oper am Gänsemarkt.
Christian Albert married, on 24 October 1667, Princess Frederica Amalia of Denmark, daughter of King Frederick III of Denmark and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. They had the following children:
Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp | Father: Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp |
Paternal Grandfather: John Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp |
Paternal Great-grandfather: Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp |
Paternal Great-grandmother: Christine of Hesse |
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Paternal Grandmother: Augusta of Denmark |
Paternal Great-grandfather: Frederick II of Denmark |
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Paternal Great-grandmother: Sofie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin |
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Mother: Marie Elisabeth of Saxony |
Maternal Grandfather: John George I, Elector of Saxony |
Maternal Great-grandfather: Christian I, Elector of Saxony |
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Maternal Great-grandmother: Sophie of Brandenburg |
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Maternal Grandmother: Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia |
Maternal Great-grandfather: Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia |
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Maternal Great-grandmother: Marie Eleonore of Cleves |
Christian Albert of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp
Cadet branch of the House of Oldenburg
Born: 3 February 1641 in Gottorp Died: 6 January 1695 in Gottorp |
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Regnal titles | ||
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Religious titles | ||
Preceded by John X |
Prince-Bishop of Lübeck (Lutheran Administrator) 1655–1666 |
Succeeded by Augustus Frederick |
Regnal titles | ||
Preceded by Frederick III |
— TITULAR — Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp 1659–1695 |
Succeeded by Frederick IV |
Preceded by Frederick III (Denmark-Norway) and Frederick III (Gottorp) |
Duke of Holstein and Schleswig 1659–1695 with Frederick III (1659-1670) Christian V (1670-1695) |
Succeeded by Christian V and Frederick IV |