Christoffer (Valdemarssson) af Danmark (1341 - 1363)

Born 1341 in Tikøb, Helsingør, Danmark

Ancestors

Died 11 Jun 1363 at about age 22 in Copenhagen, Denmark

Biography

King Christoffer III af Bayern (1415 - 1448)

King of Denmark: 1439-1448

Norway: 1442-48

Sweden: 1441-48

Denmark's Court called in Erik’s sister's son, Christoffer of Bayern, who for some time was The Kingdom's ruler and after that became elected king in all three countries.

Karl Knuttsson, ruler in Sweden, was not selected as he opposed having large counties. Thus the union was reestablished, but Christoffer had to promise to govern the 3 countries totally separately. In each one he was quite dependent on its Council.

At first it was important to overcome the North Jutlandic peasants, who after Erik had left the country, had rebelled against the local nobility. Count Adolf, who threatened to support them, was won over by Eric who acknowledged him as the hereditary Duke of Slesvig.

Then the king and the squires defeated the peasants, who were led by Henrik Tagesøn. It is said, that the people from the island of Mors and from Thy were persuaded to surrender without a fight, while “the noble people from Vendsyssel” would not surrender, but they suffered a bloody defeat.

After this fight, the North Jutlanders had to accept to pay taxes to the church, and it was forbidden for peasants to carry weapons. The power of the local nobles, which had been reduced under Margrethe and Erik, was restored.

Against the Hanseatic League, Christoffer practiced the same politics as Erik, as he strongly promoted trading connections to Holland and England, especially for the ports of Norway.

Christoffer died in 1448 and was buried in Roskilde Cathedral.

Sources

• http://www.danmarkskonger.dk/king33.htm

Acknowledgements

• This person was created through the import of McQuery Family Tree.ged on 20 May 2011.