The Royal Danish CollectionAmalienborgThe kingsChristian V

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.

 

 

Relations

Crowns and coronets

Crowns and coronets of royalty and the nobility, arranged in order of precedence in 1671, during the Absolutist period.

Count Griffenfeld

Peder Schumacher, Count Griffenfeld (1635-99). Painting by Abraham Wuchters.

Paul Prieur

Paul Prieur was a painter of miniatures and enameller. He was born in Paris and was trained there and in Geneva as a goldsmith and enameller. Between 1659 and 1681 he lived in Denmark, working for the Royal Court.

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 Frederik (IV).

Sophie Amalie

Sophie Amalie became Queen of Denmark in 1648. She was the daughter of Duke George of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and in 1643 she was married to Frederik (III). Sophie Amalie was the mother of Christian V.

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.

21 The Knights' Hall

The hall, which was the last room to be furnished, was completed in 1624. It was originally intended and used as a ballroom.

1625-1650

The second half of Christian IV's reign became a time of recession. The economic crisis became more severe, and at the same time the fortunes of war turned.