The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgCharlotte Amalie

Charlotte Amalie

Charlotte Amalie became the Queen of Denmark in 1670. She was the daughter of Landgrave William VI of Hesse-Kassel. In 1667 she was married to Christian (V); as well as other children they had the son Frederik (IV) and the daughter Sophie Hedevig.

Charlotte Amalie was raised in the Reformed faith, which she stayed loyal to after her marriage to Christian. She was a popular Queen, and her popularity increased in 1700, when she took part in organising the defence of Copenhagen after King Charles XII of Sweden invaded Zealand.

Charlotte Amalie owned several estates around the country and she administered them skilfully. After the death of Christian V in 1699, she moved to a mansion which she had bought: Charlottenborg on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen, where she lived from 1700 until she passed away. The mansion, which is named after her, has housed the Royal Danish Academy of Art since 1754.

Relations

Christian V, 1681

Christian V. Enamelled miniature made by Paul Prieur 1681.

1675-1700

From 1675 to 1679 the Scanian War was fought with Sweden. But the final goal, to win back Scania, was not reached as no European state would allow both sides of Øresund to be ruled by the same power again.

1700-1725

The 18th century was initiated with yet another war between Denmark and Sweden. For Denmark the war was brief, but for Sweden it was the beginning of the Great Nordic War, which Denmark became part of again from 1709.

1650-1675

The wars of Charles Gustavus (1657-1658 and 1658-1660) were the important events in foreign politics of the period. The loss of Scania, Halland and Blekinge at the Peace of Roskilde in 1658 was a nadir of power politics in Danish history.

Counterweights

Bronze counterweights, dated 1648. The older absolute monarchy witnessed many centralisation projects, including the development of standardised weights and measures for the whole country.

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.

Frederik IV

Frederik IV was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1699; son of Christian V and Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel. Married for the first time in 1695 to Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow, with whom he had Christian (VI).

Landgrave Carl of Hesse

Portrait of Landgrave Carl of Hesse. The relief is made in crystal, onyx, cornelian and other minerals, on a base of agate.