Christian V

Christian V was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1670; son of Frederik III and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He was married to Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel in 1667. He was the father of Frederik IV.

Christian V was badly equipped educationally for his Royal duties. He was involved in the administration of the Kingdom only shortly before the time of his father’s death. Therefore, he was highly dependent on advisors, such as the powerful Peder Schumacher Griffenfeld. The still rather young Danish absolute monarchy was nevertheless secured, and extensive legislative work took place, for example the Danish Law from 1683. Christian V initiated the Scanian War (1675-1679) against Sweden in an attempt to reconquer the Scanian lands, but because of the interests of the European great powers, it did not succeed.

Christian V was interested in hunting and horse riding, and because of his plain and simple ways he was immensely popular with his subjects. He was not a great statesman, but was hard-working and conscientious, and during the war with Sweden he showed personal bravery.