The Royal Danish CollectionAmalienborgThe kingsFrederik II

Frederik II

Frederik II was the King of Denmark and Norway from 1559. Son of Christian III and Queen Dorothea of Saxony-Lauenburg. In 1572 he was married to Sophie of Mecklenburg, with whom he had Christian IV.

Frederik II was mostly concerned with foreign politics. The Nordic Seven Years War in 1563-1570 against Sweden was in reality undecided, but after the war Denmark-Norway stood as the strongest Baltic power. Frederik then strove to keep the Kingdom in that position. Furthermore, he became one of the leading Protestant princes in Northern Europe but his attempts to create a powerful Protestant alliance against the Catholics did not succeed.

In the 1570’s he erected the strong fortress of Kronborg at Elsinore, and during the same period the Danish navy became one of the largest and most modern in Europe. As part of his effort to strengthen his Kingdom, he gave much support to science and culture. For example, the astronomer Tycho Brahe received backing from Frederik II.

Relations

Silver plates with amber centres

Silver plates with amber centres, made in 1585 in Kaliningrad by Andreas Knieffel for Margravine Sophia of Brandenburg, née Princess of Braunschweig and Lüneburg, Frederik II's cousin. Amberwork by Stenzel Snitt? Housewarming present to Frederik II at Kronborg Castle?

2: Christian IV's Writing Room

In this tower chamber, which was easily heated, Christian IV carried out his vast correspondence.

Sophie

Sophie became Queen of Denmark when she was married to Frederik II in 1572. She was the daughter of Duke Ulrich of Mecklenburg and the mother of Christian IV.

1575-1600

This period was not only the end of a century but also the last part of an period of prosperity. It was also a time of peace, with a pause in the otherwise regular wars with Sweden.

Christian IV

Christian IV was the King of Denmark and Norway from 1588; crowned in 1596. Son of Frederik II and Sophie of Mecklenburg.

Hunting dagger

The handle shows the monogram of Frederik II along with the year 1585.

Order of the Elephant, Frederik II

The Order of the Elephant in its oldest existing form, with Frederik II’s picture, monogram and motto. Made in 1580 by Hans Raadt, possibly from a drawing by Melchior Lorck.

Bust of Frederik II

Bronze bust of Frederik II, by J.G. van der Schardt, 1578-1579. Bought by Frederik VI during the Congress of Vienna, 1815.