Christian VII of Denmark: Difference between revisions

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	\|death_date = {{Death date and age\|1808\|3\|13\|1749\|1\|29\|df=y}}		\|death_date = {{Death date and age\|1808\|3\|13\|1749\|1\|29\|df=y}}
	\|death_place = ], ]		\|death_place = ], ]
	\|burial_place = ]		\|burial_place = ]
	\|religion = ]		\|religion = ]
			\|signature = Signature of Christian VII of Denmark.svg
	}}		}}

	'''Christian VII''' (29 January 1749 – 13 March 1808) was King of ] and Duke of ] and ] from 1766 until his death in 1808. ~~For his~~ motto ~~he chose:~~ "''Gloria ex amore patriae''" ("Glory through love of the fatherland").<ref>{{cite web\|url= https://snl.no/Christian_7\|title= Christian 7\|publisher = Store norske leksikon\|first= Magne\|last= Njåstad\|access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref>		'''Christian VII''' (29 January 1749 – 13 March 1808) was King of ] and Duke of ] and ] from 1766 until his death in 1808. His motto was "''Gloria ex amore patriae''" ("Glory through love of the fatherland").<ref>{{cite web\|url= https://snl.no/Christian_7\|title= Christian 7\|publisher = Store norske leksikon\|first= Magne\|last= Njåstad\|access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref>

	Christian VII's reign was marked by mental illness ~~and for~~ most of his reign, Christian was only nominally king. His royal advisers changed depending on ~~who~~ ~~won~~ power struggles ~~around the throne~~. From 1770 to 1772, his court physician ] was the ''de facto'' ruler of the country and introduced progressive reforms signed into law by Christian VII. Struensee was deposed by a coup in 1772, after which the country was ruled by Christian's stepmother, ], his half-brother ], and the Danish politician ]. From 1784 until Christian VII's death in 1808, Christian's son, later ], acted as unofficial ].<ref>{{cite web\|url= http://www.kongernessamling.dk/en/rosenborg/person/frederik-the-heir-presumptive/\|title= Frederik the Heir Presumptive\|publisher = kongernessamling\|access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref>		Christian VII's reign was marked by mental illness. For most of his reign, Christian was only nominally king. His royal advisers changed depending on the outcome of power struggles. From 1770 to 1772, his court physician ] was the ''de facto'' ruler of the country and introduced progressive reforms signed into law by Christian VII. Struensee was deposed by a coup in 1772, after which the country was ruled by Christian's stepmother, Queen Dowager ], his half-brother Hereditary Prince ], and the Danish politician ]. From 1784 until Christian VII's death in 1808, Christian's son, later ], acted as unofficial ].<ref>{{cite web\|url= http://www.kongernessamling.dk/en/rosenborg/person/frederik-the-heir-presumptive/\|title= Frederik the Heir Presumptive\|publisher = kongernessamling\|access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref>

	==Early life ==		==Early life ==
	===Birth and family===		===Birth and family===
	] in ], {{circa\|1750}}]]		] in ], {{circa\|1750}}]]
		⚫	] for '']'', Copenhagen, 1749]]
	Christian was born in the early hours of the morning on 29 January 1749 in the Queen's Bedchamber at ], the royal residence in ].<ref name="kirkeboeger">{{ cite web \| url=http://www.historie-online.dk/special/daab/kirkeboeger.htm \| access-date=18 February 2013 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030558/http://www.historie-online.dk/special/daab/kirkeboeger.htm \| archive-date=24 September 2015 \| title=Kongelige i kirkebøgerne \| trans-title=Royals in the church records \| publisher=Dansk Historisk Fællesråd \| website=historie-online.dk \| language=da }}</ref> He was the fourth child and second son of the reigning ] of ], ], and his first wife ]. The newborn prince was baptized later the same day in the afternoon. His ]s were King Frederick V (his father), ] (his paternal grandmother), ] (his aunt) and ] (his grand-aunt).<ref name="~~kirkeboeger~~"/>		Christian was born in the early hours of the morning on 29 January 1749 in the Queen's Bedchamber at ] the royal residence in ].<ref name="kirkeboeger">{{ cite web \| url=http://www.historie-online.dk/special/daab/kirkeboeger.htm \| access-date=18 February 2013 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030558/http://www.historie-online.dk/special/daab/kirkeboeger.htm \| archive-date=24 September 2015 \| title=Kongelige i kirkebøgerne \| trans-title=Royals in the church records \| publisher=Dansk Historisk Fællesråd \| website=historie-online.dk \| language=da }}</ref> He was the fourth child and second son of the reigning ] of ], ], and his first wife ]. The newborn prince was baptized later the same day in the afternoon by the royal ] Johannes Bartholomæus Bluhme, and was named after his late grandfather, ].<ref name="kongeligedaab">{{cite book\|first1=Lone\|last1=Hindø\|first2=Else\|last2=Boelskifte\|chapter=Gaderne gav genlyd af Frydeskrig\|trans-chapter=The streets echoed with shouts of joy\|title=Kongelig Dåb. Fjorten generationer ved Rosenborg-døbefonten\|trans-title=Royal Baptisms. Fourteen generations at the Rosenborg baptismal font\|publisher=Forlaget Hovedland\|year=2007\|isbn=978-87-7070-014-6\|language=da\|pages=41–47}}</ref> His ]s were King Frederick V (his father), ] (his paternal grandmother), ] (his aunt) and ] (his grand-aunt).<ref name="kongeligedaab"/>

⚫	~~{{stack\|~~] for '']'', Copenhagen, 1749]]}}
	A former heir to the throne, also named Christian, had died in infancy in 1747, and the newborn was thus ] from birth; therefore, hopes were high for the future of the new heir apparent. ], then conductor of the royal opera troupe, composed the opera '']'' ("The Contention of the Gods"), in which the ] gather at the banks of the ] and discuss who in particular should protect the new prince.<ref>{{cite web\| url=http://www.kb.dk/da/nb/tema/webudstillinger/Musikalsk_byvandring/Charlottenborg.html\| title=Charlottenborg – et stop på din musikalske byvandring gennem København\| publisher=The ]\| language=da\| access-date=2013-02-16\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915113716/http://www.kb.dk/da/nb/tema/webudstillinger/Musikalsk_byvandring/Charlottenborg.html\| archive-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>		A former heir to the throne, also named Christian, had died in infancy in 1747, and the newborn was thus ] from birth; therefore, hopes were high for the future of the new heir apparent. ], then conductor of the royal opera troupe, composed the opera '']'' ("The Contention of the Gods"), in which the ] gather at the banks of the ] and discuss who in particular should protect the new prince.<ref>{{cite web\| url=http://www.kb.dk/da/nb/tema/webudstillinger/Musikalsk_byvandring/Charlottenborg.html\| title=Charlottenborg – et stop på din musikalske byvandring gennem København\| publisher=The ]\| language=da\| access-date=2013-02-16\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915113716/http://www.kb.dk/da/nb/tema/webudstillinger/Musikalsk_byvandring/Charlottenborg.html\| archive-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

	At birth, Christian had two elder sisters, ] and ], and the family was joined by another daughter, ] in 1750. In 1751, almost three years after Christian's birth, his mother Queen Louise died during her sixth pregnancy, just aged 27 years.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://gravsted.dk/person.php?navn=dronninglouise5fr\|title=Louise af Storbritannien\|website=gravsted.dk\|access-date=21 January 2022\|language=da}}</ref> The following year, his father married Duchess ], who gave birth to Christian's half-brother, ] in 1753.<ref>{{cite journal\|last=Holm\|first=Edvard\|title=Juliane Marie\|url=~~http~~://runeberg.org/dbl/8/0614.html\|year=1894 \|journal=] \|volume=8 \|edition=1st \|location=Copenhagen \|publisher=Gyldendals Forlag \|pages=612 \|language=da }}</ref>		At birth, Christian had two elder sisters, ] and ], and the family was joined by another daughter, ] in 1750. In 1751, almost three years after Christian's birth, his mother Queen Louise died during her sixth pregnancy, just aged 27 years.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://gravsted.dk/person.php?navn=dronninglouise5fr\|title=Louise af Storbritannien\|website=gravsted.dk\|access-date=21 January 2022\|language=da}}</ref> The following year, his father married Duchess ], who gave birth to Christian's half-brother, ] in 1753.<ref>{{cite journal\|last=Holm\|first=Edvard\|title=Juliane Marie\|url=https://runeberg.org/dbl/8/0614.html\|year=1894 \|journal=] \|volume=8 \|edition=1st \|location=Copenhagen \|publisher=Gyldendals Forlag \|pages=612 \|language=da }}</ref>

	===Childhood and education===		===Childhood and education===
	]		]
	After the early death of his mother, the prince was largely denied parental affection. His stepmother Queen Juliane Marie showed no interest in him, preferring her biological son Prince Frederick. Prone to ] and increasingly affected by ], the father himself became increasingly indifferent to the shy, sensitive child, who was also prone to epileptic seizures. Nonetheless, early historians state that Christian had a winning personality and considerable talent, but that he was poorly educated and systematically terrorized, and even flogged, by a brutal tutor, ]~~, the Count of Reventlow~~. He seems to have been intelligent and had periods of clarity, but had severe emotional problems, possibly ], as argued by Doctor Viggo Christiansen in ''Christian VII's mental illness'' (1906).{{~~full citation needed~~\|~~date=July 2022~~}}		After the early death of his mother, the prince was largely denied parental affection. His stepmother Queen Juliane Marie showed no interest in him, preferring her biological son Hereditary Prince Frederick. Prone to ] and increasingly affected by ], the father himself became increasingly indifferent to the shy, sensitive child, who was also prone to epileptic seizures. Nonetheless, early historians state that Christian had a winning personality and considerable talent, but that he was poorly educated and systematically terrorized, and even flogged, by a brutal tutor, Count ]. He seems to have been intelligent and had periods of clarity, but had severe emotional problems, possibly ], as argued by Doctor Viggo Christiansen in ''Christian VII's mental illness'' (1906).{{sfn\|Christiansen\|1906}}

	== Early reign ==		== Early reign ==
	===Accession===		===Accession===
	]]]		]]]
	After a long period of infirmity, Frederick V died on 14 January 1766, just 42 years old. At the death of his father, Christian immediately ascended the thrones of Denmark and Norway as their sixth ], a few weeks before his 17th birthday. Later the same day, Christian was proclaimed king from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace. Christian's reign was marked by mental illness<ref>Jan Sjåvik. ''The A to Z of Norway'' p.49</ref> which affected government decisions, and for most of his reign, Christian was only nominally king. His court physicians were especially worried by his frequent ].<ref>{{cite book \| last = Ihalainen \| first = Pasi \| title = Scandinavia in the age of revolution Nordic political cultures, 1740-1820 \| publisher = Ashgate \| location = Farnham, Surrey, England Burlington, Vt \| year = 2011 \| pages = 73, 74 \| isbn = 978-0754698661 }}</ref> His royal advisers changed depending on who won power struggles around the throne.		After a long period of infirmity, Frederick V died on 14 January 1766, just 42 years old. At the death of his father, Christian immediately ascended the thrones of Denmark and Norway as their sixth ], a few weeks before his 17th birthday. Later the same day, Christian was proclaimed king from the balcony of ]. Christian's reign was marked by mental illness<ref>Jan Sjåvik. ''The A to Z of Norway'' p.49</ref> which affected government decisions, and for most of his reign, Christian was only nominally king. His court physicians were especially worried by his frequent ].<ref>{{cite book \| last = Ihalainen \| first = Pasi \| title = Scandinavia in the age of revolution Nordic political cultures, 1740-1820 \| publisher = Ashgate \| location = Farnham, Surrey, England Burlington, Vt \| year = 2011 \| pages = 73, 74 \| isbn = 978-0754698661 }}</ref> His royal advisers changed depending on who won power struggles around the throne.

	===Marriage===		===Marriage===
	], the image has inscriptions in French]]		], the image has inscriptions in French]]
	Later the same year, the young king married his first cousin, the 15-year-old ], in a dynastic marriage. They had been betrothed already in 1765. Her brother, King ] of Great Britain, was anxious about the marriage but not aware that the bridegroom was mentally ill. They were married in a ] ceremony on 1 October 1766 in the ] of ] in London, with the Princess's brother, ], acting as the representative of the groom. After her arrival in Copenhagen, another wedding ceremony took place on 8 November 1766 in the ] at Christiansborg Palace. Marriage celebrations and balls lasted for another month. On 1 May 1767, Christian VII and Caroline Matilda were ] in the royal chapel of Christiansborg Palace.<ref>{{cite book \|last=Monrad Møller \|first=Anders \|title=Enevældens kroninger. Syv salvinger – ceremoniellet, teksterne og musikken \|trans-title=The coronations of the absolute monarchy. Seven anointings – the ceremonial, the lyrics and the music \|year=2012 \|location=Copenhagen \|publisher=Forlaget Falcon \|isbn=978-87-88802-29-0 \|pages=128–49 \|language=da }}</ref>		Later the same year, the young king married his first cousin, the 15-year-old ], in a dynastic marriage. They had been betrothed already in 1765. Her brother, King ] of Great Britain, was anxious about the marriage but not aware that the bridegroom was mentally ill. They were married in a ] ceremony on 1 October 1766 in the ] of ] in London, with the Princess's brother, ], acting as the representative of the groom. After her arrival in Copenhagen, another wedding ceremony took place on 8 November 1766 in the ] at ]. Marriage celebrations and balls lasted for another month. On 1 May 1767, Christian VII and Caroline Matilda were ] in the royal chapel of Christiansborg Palace.<ref>{{cite book \|last=Monrad Møller \|first=Anders \|title=Enevældens kroninger. Syv salvinger – ceremoniellet, teksterne og musikken \|trans-title=The coronations of the absolute monarchy. Seven anointings – the ceremonial, the lyrics and the music \|year=2012 \|location=Copenhagen \|publisher=Forlaget Falcon \|isbn=978-87-88802-29-0 \|pages=128–49 \|language=da }}</ref>

	]		] and the Queen ] after the birth.]]
	The marriage was unhappy, and after his marriage, the king abandoned himself to the worst excesses, especially sexual promiscuity. In 1767, he entered into a relationship with the courtesan ]. He ultimately sank into a condition of mental stupor. Symptoms during this time included ], ], and ]s.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://snl.no/Caroline_Mathilde \| title=Caroline Mathilde \| publisher =Norsk biografisk leksikon\|first= Magne\|last= Njåstad\|access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref> The king showed little interest in the queen and only reluctantly visited her in her chambers. Reverdil had to step in, among other things with love letters written in the king's name, in an attempt to make the marriage lead to a pregnancy and thus an heir to the throne.{{sfn\|Engberg\|2009\|p=37}} On 28 January 1768, Queen Caroline Mathilde gave birth at Christiansborg Palace to the royal couple's son and heir to throne, the future ].		The marriage was unhappy, and after his marriage, the king abandoned himself to the worst excesses, especially sexual promiscuity. In 1767, he entered into a relationship with the courtesan ]. He ultimately sank into a condition of mental stupor. Symptoms during this time included ], ], and ]s.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://snl.no/Caroline_Mathilde \| title=Caroline Mathilde \| publisher =Norsk biografisk leksikon\|first= Magne\|last= Njåstad\|access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref> The king showed little interest in the queen and only reluctantly visited her in her chambers. His trusted Swiss tutor, ] had to step in, among other things with love letters written in the king's name, in an attempt to make the marriage lead to a pregnancy and thus an heir to the throne.{{sfn\|Engberg\|2009\|p=37}} On 28 January 1768, Queen Caroline Mathilde gave birth at Christiansborg Palace to the royal couple's son and heir to throne, the future ].

	===Struensee===		===Struensee===
	] by ].]]		{{See also\|Royal Life Guards' Mutiny}}] by ].]]
	The progressive and radical thinker ], Christian's personal physician, became his advisor and rose steadily in power in the late 1760s to ''de facto'' regent of the country, where he introduced widespread progressive reforms. Struensee was a protégé of an ] circle of aristocrats that had been rejected by the court in Copenhagen. He was a skilled doctor, and having somewhat restored the king's health while visiting the ] area, he gained the king's affection. He was retained as travelling physician (''Livmedikus hos Kong Christian VII'') on 5 April 1768, and accompanied the entourage on the king's foreign tour to ] and ] via ] from 6 May 1768 to 12 January 1769. He was given the title of State Councilor ('']'') on 12 May 1768, barely a week after leaving Altona. The neglected and lonely Caroline Matilda entered into an affair with Struensee.<ref>{{cite web\|url= https://snl.no/Johann_Friedrich_Struensee\|title= Johann Friedrich Struensee\|publisher =Norsk biografisk leksikon\|first= Magne\|last= Njåstad\|access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref>		The progressive and radical thinker ], Christian's personal physician, became his advisor and rose steadily in power in the late 1760s to ''de facto'' regent of the country, where he introduced widespread progressive reforms. Struensee was a protégé of an ] circle of aristocrats that had been rejected by the court in Copenhagen. He was a skilled doctor, and having somewhat restored the king's health while visiting the ] area, he gained the king's affection. He was retained as travelling physician (''Livmedikus hos Kong Christian VII'') on 5 April 1768, and accompanied the entourage on the king's foreign tour to ] and ] via ] from 6 May 1768 to 12 January 1769. He was given the title of State Councilor ('']'') on 12 May 1768, barely a week after leaving Altona. The neglected and lonely Caroline Matilda entered into an affair with Struensee.<ref>{{cite web\|url= https://snl.no/Johann_Friedrich_Struensee\|title= Johann Friedrich Struensee\|publisher =Norsk biografisk leksikon\|first= Magne\|last= Njåstad\|access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref>

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	===Divorce===		===Divorce===
	The king divorced Caroline Matilda in 1772 after they had produced two children: the future ] and ]. Struensee, who had enacted many modernising and emancipating reforms, was arrested and executed the same year. Christian signed Struensee's arrest and execution warrant under pressure from his stepmother, Queen ], who had led the movement to have the marriage ended. Caroline Matilda, ~~retaining~~ her title but not her children.{{Citation needed\|date=January 2023}} She eventually left Denmark and passed her remaining days in exile at ] in her brother's German territory, the ]. She died there of ] on 10 May 1775 at the age of 23.<ref>{{cite web\|url= https://snl.no/Celle\|title= Celle\|publisher = Norsk biografisk leksikon\|first= Arvid\|last= Bornstein\|access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref>		The king divorced Caroline Matilda in 1772 after they had produced two children: the future ] and ]. Struensee, who had enacted many modernising and emancipating reforms, was arrested and executed the same year. Christian signed Struensee's arrest and execution warrant under pressure from his stepmother, Queen ], who had led the movement to have the marriage ended. Caroline Matilda retained her title but not her children.{{Citation needed\|date=January 2023}} She eventually left Denmark and passed her remaining days in exile at ] in her brother's German territory, the ]. She died there of ] on 10 May 1775 at the age of 23.<ref>{{cite web\|url= https://snl.no/Celle\|title= Celle\|publisher = Norsk biografisk leksikon\|first= Arvid\|last= Bornstein\|access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref>

	==Later life==		==Later life==
	]		] (1748–1823)]]
	Christian was only nominally king from 1772 onward. Between 1772 and 1784, Denmark-Norway was ruled by his stepmother, the Queen Dowager Juliane Marie, ], and the Danish politician ]. From 1784, his son ] ruled permanently as prince regent. This regency was marked by liberal, judicial, and agricultural reforms, but also by disasters of the ], ], and the beginning of the ], also at the same time ] was on the rise.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://oslohistorie.no/2018/02/07/jens-moestue-en-patriotisk-opprorer-2/#_ftn1\|title=Jens Moestue – en patriotisk opprører?}}</ref>		Christian was only nominally king from 1772 onward. Between 1772 and 1784, Denmark-Norway was ruled by his stepmother, the Queen Dowager ], ], and the Danish politician ]. From 1784, his son ] ruled permanently as prince regent. This regency was marked by liberal, judicial, and agricultural reforms, but also by disasters of the ], ], and the beginning of the ], also at the same time ] was on the rise.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://oslohistorie.no/2018/02/07/jens-moestue-en-patriotisk-opprorer-2/#_ftn1\|title=Jens Moestue – en patriotisk opprører?}}</ref>

	===Death and succession===		===Death and succession===
	] in ''Frederick V's Chapel'' at ]]]		] in ''Frederick V's Chapel'' at ]]]
	Christian died at age 59 of a ] on 13 March 1808 in ], Schleswig. Although there were rumours that the stroke was caused by fright at the sight of Spanish auxiliary troops which he took to be hostile. Ulrik Langen, in his biography of the king, did not indicate that there was any external cause. He was buried in ] and was succeeded by his son Frederick VI.<ref>Ulrik Langen, 2008, s. 485ff</ref>		Christian died at age 59 of a ] on 13 March 1808 in ], Schleswig. Although there were rumours that the stroke was caused by fright at the sight of Spanish auxiliary troops which he took to be hostile, Ulrik Langen, in his biography of the king, did not indicate that there was any external cause. He was buried in ] and was succeeded by his son Frederick VI.<ref>Ulrik Langen, 2008, s. 485ff</ref>

	==Legacy==		==Legacy==

	===Contribution to science===		===Contribution to science===
	In 1769, Christian VII ~~of Denmark~~ invited the Hungarian astronomer ] (Maximilian Hell) to ]. Hell observed the ], and his calculations gave the most precise calculation of the Earth–Sun distance to that date (approx. 151 million kilometres). Hell's companion ] explored the affinity among the languages of the ], ], and ]s (all members of the ]).<ref>Kragh, Helge (2008). ''The Moon that Wasn't: The Saga of Venus' Spurious Satellite.'' Springer. p. 199. {{ISBN\|3-7643-8908-7}}, {{ISBN\|978-3-7643-8908-6}}.</ref><ref>Jacek Juliusz Jadacki, Witold Strawiński, Jerzy Pelc. ''In the World of Signs: Essays in Honour of Professor Jerzy Pelc'', Rodopi: 1998, p. 459. {{ISBN\|90-420-0389-8}}, {{ISBN\|978-90-420-0389-7}}.</ref><ref>Mikko Korhonen. ''Finno-Ugrian Language Studies in Finland, 1828–1918'', ''Societas Scientiarum Fennica'', 1986. p. 226. {{ISBN\|951-653-135-0}}, {{ISBN\|978-951-653-135-2}}.</ref>		In 1769, King Christian VII invited the Hungarian astronomer ] (Maximilian Hell) to ]. Hell observed the ], and his calculations gave the most precise calculation of the Earth–Sun distance to that date (approx. 151 million kilometres). Hell's companion ] explored the affinity among the languages of the ], ], and ]s (all members of the ]).<ref>Kragh, Helge (2008). ''The Moon that Wasn't: The Saga of Venus' Spurious Satellite.'' Springer. p. 199. {{ISBN\|3-7643-8908-7}}, {{ISBN\|978-3-7643-8908-6}}.</ref><ref>Jacek Juliusz Jadacki, Witold Strawiński, Jerzy Pelc. ''In the World of Signs: Essays in Honour of Professor Jerzy Pelc'', Rodopi: 1998, p. 459. {{ISBN\|90-420-0389-8}}, {{ISBN\|978-90-420-0389-7}}.</ref><ref>Mikko Korhonen. ''Finno-Ugrian Language Studies in Finland, 1828–1918'', ''Societas Scientiarum Fennica'', 1986. p. 226. {{ISBN\|951-653-135-0}}, {{ISBN\|978-951-653-135-2}}.</ref>

	==Cultural depictions==		==Cultural depictions==
	]: ''Scene from the court of Christian VII''. ] from 1873 at the ].]]		]: ''Scene from the court of Christian VII''. ] from 1873 at the ].]]
	]: ''Interior from the court of Christian VII''. ] from 1881 at the ].]]		]: ''Interior from the court of Christian VII''. ] from 1881 at the ].]]
	Christian VII, the story of his marriage, and his wife's affair with Struensee ~~has~~ featured in many artistic works:		Christian VII, the story of his marriage, and his wife's affair with Struensee have featured in many artistic works:

	===Literature===		===Literature===

	* ] : ''Die Gefangene von Celle'' – a 1935 novel by Else von Hollander-Lossow		* ] : ''Die Gefangene von Celle'' – a 1935 novel by Else von Hollander-Lossow
	* ] : ''The Favourite of the Queen'' ({{~~lang-~~de\|Struensee: Doktor, Diktator, Favorit und armer Sünder}}; later ''Der Favorit der Königin'') – a 1935 novel by ]		* ] : ''The Favourite of the Queen'' ({{langx\|de\|Struensee: Doktor, Diktator, Favorit und armer Sünder}}; later ''Der Favorit der Königin'') – a 1935 novel by ]
	* ] : ''The Queen's Physician'' – a 1948 ] by Edgar Maass		* ] : ''The Queen's Physician'' – a 1948 ] by Edgar Maass
	* ] : ''Converse at Night in Copenhagen'' ({{~~lang-~~da\|Samtale om natten i København}}) – a 1953 novel by ]		* ] : ''Converse at Night in Copenhagen'' ({{langx\|da\|Samtale om natten i København}}) – a 1953 novel by ]
	* ] : ''Caroline Matilda, princess of Great Britain and queen of Denmark'' – a 1955 novel by ]		* ] : ''Caroline Matilda, princess of Great Britain and queen of Denmark'' – a 1955 novel by ]
	* ] : ''The Lost Queen'' – a 1969 ] by ]		* ] : ''The Lost Queen'' – a 1969 ] by ]
	* ] : ''Letter from Celle'' – a 1985 dramatic poem by ]		* ] : ''Letter from Celle'' – a 1985 dramatic poem by ]
	* ] : '']'' ({{~~lang-~~sv\|Livläkarens besök}}) – a 1999 ] by ]		* ] : '']'' ({{langx\|sv\|Livläkarens besök}}) – a 1999 ] by ]
	* ] : ''Prinsesse af Blodet – en roman om Caroline Mathilde'' – a 2000 novel by ]		* ] : ''Prinsesse af Blodet – en roman om Caroline Mathilde'' – a 2000 novel by ]
	* ] : '']'' ({{~~lang-~~it\|C'è un re pazzo in Danimarca}}) – a 2015 ] by ]		* ] : '']'' ({{langx\|it\|C'è un re pazzo in Danimarca}}) – a 2015 ] by ]
	* ] : ''Sigurverkið'' – a 2021 ] by ]		* ] : ''Sigurverkið'' – a 2021 ] by ]

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	* 1827 : ''Struensee'' – an 1827 drama by ] with stage music by his brother ] (Stuttgart and Tübingen: Cotta 1829, premiered in Munich in 1828). The play was originally forbidden under the rule of the Prussian King ], and finally allowed by his more liberal successor ] and premiered in Berlin in 1856.<ref>Meyerbeer & ] (1999–2004) I, 15 (Foreword by ]) (1980) 250; Becker (1989), 108–9</ref>		* 1827 : ''Struensee'' – an 1827 drama by ] with stage music by his brother ] (Stuttgart and Tübingen: Cotta 1829, premiered in Munich in 1828). The play was originally forbidden under the rule of the Prussian King ], and finally allowed by his more liberal successor ] and premiered in Berlin in 1856.<ref>Meyerbeer & ] (1999–2004) I, 15 (Foreword by ]) (1980) 250; Becker (1989), 108–9</ref>
	* 1991 : '']'' – a 1991 two-act ballet staged by the ] and ] by ] to music by Sir ].		* 1991 : '']'' – a 1991 two-act ballet staged by the ] and ] by ] to music by Sir ].
	* 2008 : '']'' ({{~~lang-~~da\|Livlægens besøg}}) – a 2008 ] staged by the ] and composed by ] to a ] based on Enquist's 1999 novel.		* 2008 : '']'' ({{langx\|da\|Livlægens besøg}}) – a 2008 ] staged by the ] and composed by ] to a ] based on Enquist's 1999 novel.

	===Film===		===Film===
	* ] : '']'' ({{~~lang-~~de\|Die Liebe einer Königin}}) – a 1923 ] ] ] ] directed by Ludwig Wolff, in which Christian VII is played by ].~~<ref>~~{{~~IMDb~~ ~~title~~\|~~0014197\|Die~~ ~~Liebe einer Königin~~}}~~</ref>~~		* ] : '']'' ({{langx\|de\|Die Liebe einer Königin}}) – a 1923 ] ] ] ] directed by Ludwig Wolff, in which Christian VII is played by ].{{Citation needed\|date=June 2024}}
	* ] : '']'' – a 1935 ] ] directed by ], in which Christian VII was played by ]. The film depicts his relationship with Caroline Mathilde, who is played by ].~~<ref>~~{{~~IMDb~~ ~~title~~\|~~0026657\|The~~ ~~Dictator~~}}~~</ref>~~		* ] : '']'' – a 1935 ] ] directed by ], in which Christian VII was played by ]. The film depicts his relationship with Caroline Mathilde, who is played by ].{{Citation needed\|date=June 2024}}
	* ] : '']'' ({{~~lang-~~de\|Herrscher ohne Krone}}) – a 1957 ] ] based on Neumann's 1935 novel, and directed by ], in which Christian VII was played by ].~~<ref>~~{{~~IMDb~~ ~~title~~\|~~0050504\|King in~~ ~~Shadow~~}}~~</ref>~~		* ] : '']'' ({{langx\|de\|Herrscher ohne Krone}}) – a 1957 ] ] based on Neumann's 1935 novel, and directed by ], in which Christian VII was played by ].{{Citation needed\|date=June 2024}}
	*''{{Interlanguage link\|Caroline – den sidste rejse\|da}}'' – a 2010 Danish film		*''{{Interlanguage link\|Caroline – den sidste rejse\|da}}'' – a 2010 Danish film
	* ] : '']'' ({{~~lang-~~da\|En kongelig affære}}) – an ]-nominated ] ] ] ] directed by ], in which King Christian is played by ].~~<ref>~~{{~~IMDb~~ ~~title~~\|~~1276419\|A Royal~~ ~~Affair~~}}~~</ref>~~		* ] : '']'' ({{langx\|da\|En kongelig affære}}) – an ]-nominated ] ] ] ] directed by ], in which King Christian is played by ].{{Citation needed\|date=June 2024}}

	==Ancestry==		==Ancestry==
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	* {{ Cite book \| last=Amdisen \| first=Asser \| title=Til nytte og fornøjelse : Johann Friedrich Struensee (1737-1772) \| trans-title=For benefit and pleasure : Johann Friedrich Struensee (1737-1772) \| publisher=Akademisk Forlag \| location=Copenhagen \| year=2002 \| isbn=87-5-003730-7 \| language=da }}		* {{ Cite book \| last=Amdisen \| first=Asser \| title=Til nytte og fornøjelse : Johann Friedrich Struensee (1737-1772) \| trans-title=For benefit and pleasure : Johann Friedrich Struensee (1737-1772) \| publisher=Akademisk Forlag \| location=Copenhagen \| year=2002 \| isbn=87-5-003730-7 \| language=da }}
	* {{ Cite book \| last=Barz \| first=Paul \| title=Doktor Struensee : Rebell von oben \| trans-title=Doctor Struensee: Rebel from above \| publisher=Kabel Ernst Verlag \| location=Munich \| year=1985 \| isbn=3-8225-0001-1 \| language=de }}		* {{ Cite book \| last=Barz \| first=Paul \| title=Doktor Struensee : Rebell von oben \| trans-title=Doctor Struensee: Rebel from above \| publisher=Kabel Ernst Verlag \| location=Munich \| year=1985 \| isbn=3-8225-0001-1 \| language=de }}
	*Christiansen, Viggo. ''Christian den VII's sindssygdom.'' ~~Odense~~ ~~Universitetsforlag,~~ ~~1978~~		* {{ Cite book \| last=Christiansen \| first=Viggo \| title=Christian den VII's sindssygdom \| trans-title=Christian VII's mental illness \| publisher=Gyldendalske boghandel Nordisk forlag \| location=København \| year=1906 \| language=da }}
	*Dehn-Nielsen, Henning. ''Christian 7. Den gale konge.'' Sesam, Copenhagen, 2000		*Dehn-Nielsen, Henning. ''Christian 7. Den gale konge.'' Sesam, Copenhagen, 2000
	*''Den Store Danske encyclopedia.'' ''Danmarks Nationalleksikon/Gyldendal'', Copenhagen, 1996		*''Den Store Danske encyclopedia.'' ''Danmarks Nationalleksikon/Gyldendal'', Copenhagen, 1996
Line 155:		Line 156:
	*Fjelstrup, August. ''Skilsmisseprocessen imellem Kong Kristian den syvende og Dronning Karoline Matilde.' Strubes Forlag, 1968.		*Fjelstrup, August. ''Skilsmisseprocessen imellem Kong Kristian den syvende og Dronning Karoline Matilde.' Strubes Forlag, 1968.
	*Hansen, Norman Hall. ''Caroline Mathilde.'' Ejnar Munksgaards Forlag, Copenhagen 1947		*Hansen, Norman Hall. ''Caroline Mathilde.'' Ejnar Munksgaards Forlag, Copenhagen 1947
	* {{Cite ~~journal~~\|first=Edvard \|last=Holm \|title=Christian VII \|url=~~http~~://runeberg.org/dbl/3/0513.html \|year=1889 \|~~journal~~=] \|volume=III \|edition=1st \|location=Copenhagen \|publisher=] \|pages=511–515 \|language=da }}		* {{Cite encyclopedia \|first=Edvard \|last=Holm \|title=Christian VII \|url=https://runeberg.org/dbl/3/0513.html \|year=1889 \|encyclopedia=] \|editor1-last=Bricka \|editor1-first=Carl Frederik \|editor-link=Carl Frederik Bricka \|volume=III \|edition=1st \|location=Copenhagen \|publisher=] \|pages=511–515 \|language=da }}
	*Holm, Sven. ''Struensee var her.'' Danmarks Radio, Copenhagen, 1981		*Holm, Sven. ''Struensee var her.'' Danmarks Radio, Copenhagen, 1981
			* {{cite encyclopedia\|first=Hans\|last=Jensen\|title=Christian VII.\|url=https://www.rosekamp.dk/DBL_All/DBL_5_text.pdf\|editor1-first=Povl\|editor1-last=Engelstoft\|editor2-first=Svend\|editor2-last=Dahl\|encyclopedia=]\|edition=2.\|pages=133–136\|volume=5\|location=Copenhagen\|publisher=J.H. Schultz Forlag\|year=1934\|language=da}}
	*Laing R. D. og Esterson A.:]z; ''Familieliv.'' Rhodos, Copenhagen 1974		*Laing R. D. og Esterson A.:]z; ''Familieliv.'' Rhodos, Copenhagen 1974
	* {{ Cite book \| last=Langen \| first=Ulrik \| title=Den afmægtige : en biografi om Christian 7. \| trans-title=The Powerless: A Biography of Christian VII \| publisher=]s Forlag \| location=Copenhagen \| year=2008 \| isbn=978-87-7692-093-7 \| language=da }}		* {{ Cite book \| last=Langen \| first=Ulrik \| title=Den afmægtige : en biografi om Christian 7. \| trans-title=The Powerless: A Biography of Christian VII \| publisher=]s Forlag \| location=Copenhagen \| year=2008 \| isbn=978-87-7692-093-7 \| language=da }}
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	==External links==		==External links==
	{{Commons category\|Christian VII of Denmark}}		{{Commons category\|Christian VII of Denmark}}
	* at the website of the ]		* {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314224944/http://kongehuset.dk/english/the-monarchy-in-denmark/The-Royal-Lineage \|date=14 March 2015 }} at the website of the ]
	* at the website of the ] at ]		* at the website of the ] at ]
	* {{Cite EB1911\|wstitle=Christian VII. \|short=x}}		* {{Cite EB1911\|wstitle=Christian VII. \|short=x}}
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	]		]
	]		]
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Latest revision as of 17:37, 25 October 2024

King of Denmark and Norway from 1766 to 1808

Christian VII
Portrait by Alexander Roslin, c. 1772
King of Denmark and Norway (more...)
Reign	14 January 1766 – 13 March 1808
Coronation	1 May 1767 Christiansborg Palace Chapel
Predecessor	Frederick V
Successor	Frederick VI
Regents	See list Hereditary Prince Frederick (1772–1784) Crown Prince Frederick (1784–1808)
Chief Ministers	See list Count Johann Hartwig Ernst von Bernstorff Johann Friedrich Struensee Ove Høegh-Guldberg Andreas Peter Bernstorff Christian Günther von Bernstorff

Born	(1749-01-29)29 January 1749 Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark
Died	13 March 1808(1808-03-13) (aged 59) Rendsburg, Duchy of Holstein
Burial	Roskilde Cathedral
Spouse	Caroline Matilda of Great Britain (m. 1766; div. 1772)
Issue	Frederick VI Louise Auguste, Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg
House	Oldenburg
Father	Frederick V of Denmark
Mother	Louise of Great Britain
Religion	Lutheran
Signature

Christian VII (29 January 1749 – 13 March 1808) was King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Schleswig and Holstein from 1766 until his death in 1808. His motto was "Gloria ex amore patriae" ("Glory through love of the fatherland").

Christian VII's reign was marked by mental illness. For most of his reign, Christian was only nominally king. His royal advisers changed depending on the outcome of power struggles. From 1770 to 1772, his court physician Johann Friedrich Struensee was the de facto ruler of the country and introduced progressive reforms signed into law by Christian VII. Struensee was deposed by a coup in 1772, after which the country was ruled by Christian's stepmother, Queen Dowager Juliane Marie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, his half-brother Hereditary Prince Frederick, and the Danish politician Ove Høegh-Guldberg. From 1784 until Christian VII's death in 1808, Christian's son, later Frederick VI, acted as unofficial prince regent.

Early life

Birth and family

Christian was born in the early hours of the morning on 29 January 1749 in the Queen's Bedchamber at Christiansborg Palace the royal residence in Copenhagen. He was the fourth child and second son of the reigning monarch of Denmark-Norway, King Frederick V, and his first wife Louise of Great Britain. The newborn prince was baptized later the same day in the afternoon by the royal confessor Johannes Bartholomæus Bluhme, and was named after his late grandfather, King Christian VI. His godparents were King Frederick V (his father), Queen Dowager Sophie Magdalene (his paternal grandmother), Princess Louise (his aunt) and Princess Charlotte Amalie (his grand-aunt).

A former heir to the throne, also named Christian, had died in infancy in 1747, and the newborn was thus crown prince from birth; therefore, hopes were high for the future of the new heir apparent. Christoph Willibald Gluck, then conductor of the royal opera troupe, composed the opera La Contesa dei Numi ("The Contention of the Gods"), in which the Olympian Gods gather at the banks of the Great Belt and discuss who in particular should protect the new prince.

At birth, Christian had two elder sisters, Princess Sophia Magdalena and Princess Wilhelmina Caroline, and the family was joined by another daughter, Princess Louise in 1750. In 1751, almost three years after Christian's birth, his mother Queen Louise died during her sixth pregnancy, just aged 27 years. The following year, his father married Duchess Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, who gave birth to Christian's half-brother, Prince Frederick in 1753.

Childhood and education

After the early death of his mother, the prince was largely denied parental affection. His stepmother Queen Juliane Marie showed no interest in him, preferring her biological son Hereditary Prince Frederick. Prone to debauchery and increasingly affected by alcoholism, the father himself became increasingly indifferent to the shy, sensitive child, who was also prone to epileptic seizures. Nonetheless, early historians state that Christian had a winning personality and considerable talent, but that he was poorly educated and systematically terrorized, and even flogged, by a brutal tutor, Count Christian Ditlev Frederik Reventlow. He seems to have been intelligent and had periods of clarity, but had severe emotional problems, possibly schizophrenia, as argued by Doctor Viggo Christiansen in Christian VII's mental illness (1906).

Early reign

Accession

Coronation portrait of Christian VII by Jens Juel

After a long period of infirmity, Frederick V died on 14 January 1766, just 42 years old. At the death of his father, Christian immediately ascended the thrones of Denmark and Norway as their sixth absolute monarch, a few weeks before his 17th birthday. Later the same day, Christian was proclaimed king from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace. Christian's reign was marked by mental illness which affected government decisions, and for most of his reign, Christian was only nominally king. His court physicians were especially worried by his frequent masturbation. His royal advisers changed depending on who won power struggles around the throne.

Marriage

Later the same year, the young king married his first cousin, the 15-year-old Princess Caroline Matilda of Great Britain, in a dynastic marriage. They had been betrothed already in 1765. Her brother, King George III of Great Britain, was anxious about the marriage but not aware that the bridegroom was mentally ill. They were married in a proxy wedding ceremony on 1 October 1766 in the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace in London, with the Princess's brother, Prince Edward, Duke of York and Albany, acting as the representative of the groom. After her arrival in Copenhagen, another wedding ceremony took place on 8 November 1766 in the royal chapel at Christiansborg Palace. Marriage celebrations and balls lasted for another month. On 1 May 1767, Christian VII and Caroline Matilda were crowned King and Queen of Denmark and Norway in the royal chapel of Christiansborg Palace.

The marriage was unhappy, and after his marriage, the king abandoned himself to the worst excesses, especially sexual promiscuity. In 1767, he entered into a relationship with the courtesan Støvlet-Cathrine. He ultimately sank into a condition of mental stupor. Symptoms during this time included paranoia, self-mutilation, and hallucinations. The king showed little interest in the queen and only reluctantly visited her in her chambers. His trusted Swiss tutor, Èlie Salomon François Reverdil had to step in, among other things with love letters written in the king's name, in an attempt to make the marriage lead to a pregnancy and thus an heir to the throne. On 28 January 1768, Queen Caroline Mathilde gave birth at Christiansborg Palace to the royal couple's son and heir to throne, the future King Frederick VI.

Struensee

Divorce

The king divorced Caroline Matilda in 1772 after they had produced two children: the future King Frederick VI and Princess Louise Auguste. Struensee, who had enacted many modernising and emancipating reforms, was arrested and executed the same year. Christian signed Struensee's arrest and execution warrant under pressure from his stepmother, Queen Juliana Maria, who had led the movement to have the marriage ended. Caroline Matilda retained her title but not her children. She eventually left Denmark and passed her remaining days in exile at Celle Castle in her brother's German territory, the Electorate of Hanover. She died there of scarlet fever on 10 May 1775 at the age of 23.

Later life

Christian was only nominally king from 1772 onward. Between 1772 and 1784, Denmark-Norway was ruled by his stepmother, the Queen Dowager Juliane Marie, his half-brother Frederick, and the Danish politician Ove Høegh-Guldberg. From 1784, his son Frederick ruled permanently as prince regent. This regency was marked by liberal, judicial, and agricultural reforms, but also by disasters of the Theatre War, French Revolutionary Wars, and the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars, also at the same time the Norwegian separatist movement was on the rise.

Death and succession

Christian died at age 59 of a stroke on 13 March 1808 in Rendsburg, Schleswig. Although there were rumours that the stroke was caused by fright at the sight of Spanish auxiliary troops which he took to be hostile, Ulrik Langen, in his biography of the king, did not indicate that there was any external cause. He was buried in Roskilde Cathedral and was succeeded by his son Frederick VI.

Legacy

Contribution to science

In 1769, King Christian VII invited the Hungarian astronomer Miksa Hell (Maximilian Hell) to Vardø. Hell observed the transit of Venus, and his calculations gave the most precise calculation of the Earth–Sun distance to that date (approx. 151 million kilometres). Hell's companion János Sajnovics explored the affinity among the languages of the Sami, Finnish, and Hungarian peoples (all members of the Finno-Ugric language family).

Cultural depictions

Christian VII, the story of his marriage, and his wife's affair with Struensee have featured in many artistic works:

Literature

1935 : Die Gefangene von Celle – a 1935 novel by Else von Hollander-Lossow
1935 : The Favourite of the Queen (German: Struensee: Doktor, Diktator, Favorit und armer Sünder; later Der Favorit der Königin) – a 1935 novel by Robert Neumann
1948 : The Queen's Physician – a 1948 novel by Edgar Maass
1953 : Converse at Night in Copenhagen (Danish: Samtale om natten i København) – a 1953 novel by Karen Blixen
1955 : Caroline Matilda, princess of Great Britain and queen of Denmark – a 1955 novel by Geoffrey Vaughan Blackstone
1969 : The Lost Queen – a 1969 novel by Norah Lofts
1985 : Letter from Celle – a 1985 dramatic poem by Edward Lowbury
1999 : The Visit of the Royal Physician (Swedish: Livläkarens besök) – a 1999 novel by Per Olov Enquist
2000 : Prinsesse af Blodet – en roman om Caroline Mathilde – a 2000 novel by Bodil Steensen-Leth
2015 : There's a mad king in Denmark (Italian: C'è un re pazzo in Danimarca) – a 2015 biographical novel by Dario Fo
2021 : Sigurverkið – a 2021 novel by Arnaldur Indriðason

Stage

1827 : Struensee – an 1827 drama by Michael Beer with stage music by his brother Giacomo Meyerbeer (Stuttgart and Tübingen: Cotta 1829, premiered in Munich in 1828). The play was originally forbidden under the rule of the Prussian King Frederick William III, and finally allowed by his more liberal successor Frederick William IV and premiered in Berlin in 1856.
1991 : Caroline Mathilde – a 1991 two-act ballet staged by the Royal Danish Ballet and choreographed by Flemming Flindt to music by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.
2008 : The Visit of the Royal Physician (Danish: Livlægens besøg) – a 2008 opera staged by the Royal Danish Opera and composed by Bo Holten to a libretto based on Enquist's 1999 novel.

Film

1923 : The Love of a Queen (German: Die Liebe einer Königin) – a 1923 German historical drama silent film directed by Ludwig Wolff, in which Christian VII is played by Walter Janssen.
1935 : The Dictator – a 1935 British film directed by Victor Saville, in which Christian VII was played by Emlyn Williams. The film depicts his relationship with Caroline Mathilde, who is played by Madeleine Carroll.
1957 : King in Shadow (German: Herrscher ohne Krone) – a 1957 West German feature film based on Neumann's 1935 novel, and directed by Harald Braun, in which Christian VII was played by Horst Buchholz.
Caroline – den sidste rejse [da] – a 2010 Danish film
2012 : A Royal Affair (Danish: En kongelig affære) – an Academy Award-nominated Danish historical drama film directed by Nikolaj Arcel, in which King Christian is played by Mikkel Boe Følsgaard.

Ancestry

Ancestors of Christian VII of Denmark

8. Frederick IV of Denmark

4. Christian VI of Denmark

9. Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow

2. Frederick V of Denmark

10. Christian Heinrich, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach

5. Sophie Magdalene of Brandenburg-Kulmbach

11. Sophie Christiane of Wolfstein

1. Christian VII of Denmark

12. George I of Great Britain

6. George II of Great Britain

13. Sophia Dorothea of Celle

3. Louise of Great Britain

14. John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach

7. Caroline of Ansbach

15. Eleonore Erdmuthe of Saxe-Eisenach

References

Citations

Njåstad, Magne. "Christian 7". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
"Frederik the Heir Presumptive". kongernessamling. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
"Kongelige i kirkebøgerne" [Royals in the church records]. historie-online.dk (in Danish). Dansk Historisk Fællesråd. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
^ Hindø, Lone; Boelskifte, Else (2007). "Gaderne gav genlyd af Frydeskrig" [The streets echoed with shouts of joy]. Kongelig Dåb. Fjorten generationer ved Rosenborg-døbefonten [Royal Baptisms. Fourteen generations at the Rosenborg baptismal font] (in Danish). Forlaget Hovedland. pp. 41–47. ISBN 978-87-7070-014-6.
"Charlottenborg – et stop på din musikalske byvandring gennem København" (in Danish). The Royal Danish Library. Archived from the original on 15 September 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
"Louise af Storbritannien". gravsted.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 21 January 2022.
Holm, Edvard (1894). "Juliane Marie". Dansk biografisk Lexikon, tillige omfattende Norge for tidsrummet 1537-1814 (in Danish). 8 (1st ed.). Copenhagen: Gyldendals Forlag: 612.
Christiansen 1906.
Jan Sjåvik. The A to Z of Norway p.49
Ihalainen, Pasi (2011). Scandinavia in the age of revolution Nordic political cultures, 1740-1820. Farnham, Surrey, England Burlington, Vt: Ashgate. pp. 73, 74. ISBN 978-0754698661.
Monrad Møller, Anders (2012). Enevældens kroninger. Syv salvinger – ceremoniellet, teksterne og musikken [The coronations of the absolute monarchy. Seven anointings – the ceremonial, the lyrics and the music] (in Danish). Copenhagen: Forlaget Falcon. pp. 128–49. ISBN 978-87-88802-29-0.
Njåstad, Magne. "Caroline Mathilde". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
Engberg 2009, p. 37.
Njåstad, Magne. "Johann Friedrich Struensee". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
Bratberg, Terje. "Christian 7". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
Bornstein, Arvid. "Celle". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
"Jens Moestue – en patriotisk opprører?".
Ulrik Langen, 2008, s. 485ff
Kragh, Helge (2008). The Moon that Wasn't: The Saga of Venus' Spurious Satellite. Springer. p. 199. ISBN 3-7643-8908-7, ISBN 978-3-7643-8908-6.
Jacek Juliusz Jadacki, Witold Strawiński, Jerzy Pelc. In the World of Signs: Essays in Honour of Professor Jerzy Pelc, Rodopi: 1998, p. 459. ISBN 90-420-0389-8, ISBN 978-90-420-0389-7.
Mikko Korhonen. Finno-Ugrian Language Studies in Finland, 1828–1918, Societas Scientiarum Fennica, 1986. p. 226. ISBN 951-653-135-0, ISBN 978-951-653-135-2.
Meyerbeer & Letellier (1999–2004) I, 15 (Foreword by Heinz Becker) (1980) 250; Becker (1989), 108–9
Genealogie ascendante jusqu'au quatrieme degre inclusivement de tous les Rois et Princes de maisons souveraines de l'Europe actuellement vivans [Genealogy up to the fourth degree inclusive of all the Kings and Princes of sovereign houses of Europe currently living] (in French). Bourdeaux: Frederic Guillaume Birnstiel. 1768. p. 6.

Bibliography

Reddaway, W. F. "King Christian VII," English Historical Review (1916) 31#121 pp. 59–84 IN jstor
Sjåvik, Jan (2010) The A to Z of Norway (Scarecrow Press) ISBN 978-0810872134

In Danish

Amdisen, Asser (2002). Til nytte og fornøjelse : Johann Friedrich Struensee (1737-1772) [For benefit and pleasure : Johann Friedrich Struensee (1737-1772)] (in Danish). Copenhagen: Akademisk Forlag. ISBN 87-5-003730-7.
Barz, Paul (1985). Doktor Struensee : Rebell von oben [Doctor Struensee: Rebel from above] (in German). Munich: Kabel Ernst Verlag. ISBN 3-8225-0001-1.
Christiansen, Viggo (1906). Christian den VII's sindssygdom [Christian VII's mental illness] (in Danish). København: Gyldendalske boghandel Nordisk forlag.
Dehn-Nielsen, Henning. Christian 7. Den gale konge. Sesam, Copenhagen, 2000
Den Store Danske encyclopedia. Danmarks Nationalleksikon/Gyldendal, Copenhagen, 1996
Engberg, Jens (2009). Den standhaftige tinsoldat – en biografi om Frederik 6 [The Steadfast Tin Soldier – a biography of Frederick VI] (in Danish). Copenhagen: Politikens Forlag. ISBN 978-87-567-9325-4.
Enquist, Per Olov. Livläkarens besök. Norstedts Förlag, Stockholm, 1999
Fjelstrup, August. Skilsmisseprocessen imellem Kong Kristian den syvende og Dronning Karoline Matilde.' Strubes Forlag, 1968.
Hansen, Norman Hall. Caroline Mathilde. Ejnar Munksgaards Forlag, Copenhagen 1947
Holm, Edvard (1889). "Christian VII". In Bricka, Carl Frederik (ed.). Dansk biografisk Lexikon, tillige omfattende Norge for tidsrummet 1537-1814 (in Danish). Vol. III (1st ed.). Copenhagen: Gyldendalske Boghandels Forlag. pp. 511–515.
Holm, Sven. Struensee var her. Danmarks Radio, Copenhagen, 1981
Jensen, Hans (1934). "Christian VII." (PDF). In Engelstoft, Povl; Dahl, Svend (eds.). Dansk Biografisk Leksikon (in Danish). Vol. 5 (2. ed.). Copenhagen: J.H. Schultz Forlag. pp. 133–136.
Laing R. D. og Esterson A.:]z; Familieliv. Rhodos, Copenhagen 1974
Langen, Ulrik (2008). Den afmægtige : en biografi om Christian 7 [The Powerless: A Biography of Christian VII] (in Danish). Copenhagen: Jyllands-Postens Forlag. ISBN 978-87-7692-093-7.
Lauring, Palle. Historiske Portrætter. Aschehoug Dansk Forlag, Copenhagen 1960
Reverdil, Elie Salomon François. Struensee og det danske hof 1760-1772. A. F. Høst & Søn Forlag, Copenhagen 1917
Salmonsens Konversations Leksikon, Schultz, Copenhagen, 1926
Steenstrup, Joh. et al. (Ed). Danmarks Riges historie. Det Nordiske Forlag, Copenhagen

Primary sources

Alenius, Marianne, ed. (1986). Mit ubetydelige Levnets Løb. Efter Charlotte Dorothea Biehls breve (in Danish). Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanums Forlag.
Cedergreen, Svend, ed. (1975). Brev fra Dorothea. Af Charlotta Dorothea Biehls historiske breve (in Danish). Copenhagen: Politikens Forlag.

External links

The Royal Lineage Archived 14 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine at the website of the Danish Monarchy
Christian VII at the website of the Royal Danish Collection at Rosenborg Castle
"Christian VII." . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.
Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Christian, the name of nine kings of Denmark. III. Christian VII." . The American Cyclopædia.
Portraits of Christian VII, King of Denmark and Norway at the National Portrait Gallery, London

Regnal titles
Christian VIIHouse of OldenburgBorn: 29 January 1749 Died: 13 March 1808
Preceded byFrederick V	Count of Oldenburg 1766–1773	Succeeded byPaul
Preceded byFrederick V	King of Denmark and Norway Duke of Schleswig 1766–1808	Succeeded byFrederick VI
Preceded byFrederick V and Paul	Duke of Holstein 1766–1808 with Paul (1766–1773)	Succeeded byFrederick VI

v t e Danish princes
The generations are numbered from the implementation of hereditary monarchy by Frederick III in 1660.
1st generation	King Christian V Prince George, Duke of Cumberland
2nd generation	King Frederick IV Prince Christian Prince Charles Prince William Prince William, Duke of Gloucester
3rd generation	King Christian VI
4th generation	King Frederick V
5th generation	King Christian VII Hereditary Prince Frederick
6th generation	King Frederick VI King Christian VIII Hereditary Prince Ferdinand
7th generation	King Frederick VII King Christian IX
8th generation	King Frederick VIII King George I of Greece Prince Valdemar
9th generation	King Christian X King Haakon VII of Norway Prince Harald Prince Gustav King Constantine I of Greece Prince George Prince Nicholas Prince Andrew Prince Christopher Prince Aage Prince Axel Prince Erik Prince Viggo
10th generation	King Frederik IX Hereditary Prince Knud King Olav V of Norway Prince Gorm Prince Oluf King George II of Greece King Alexander I of Greece King Paul I of Greece Prince Peter Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Michael Prince Georg Prince Flemming
11th generation	Prince Henrik Prince Ingolf Prince Christian King Constantine II of Greece
12th generation	King Frederik X Prince Joachim Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece Prince Nikolaos Prince Philippos
13th generation	Crown Prince Christian of Denmark Prince Vincent Prince Nikolai Prince Felix Prince Henrik Prince Constantine-Alexios Prince Achileas-Andreas Prince Odysseas-Kimon Prince Aristidis-Stavros
Also prince of Norway Also prince of Greece Also prince of Iceland Also prince of the United Kingdom Not Danish prince by birth, but created prince of Denmark Princes that lost their title are shown in italics

Monarchs of Denmark

Knýtlinga

c. 916 – 1042	Сanute I (Harthacnut) Gorm the Old Harald I Bluetooth Sweyn I Harald II Canute II Canute III (Harthacanute)

Fairhair

1042–1047	Magnus the Good

Estridsen

1047–1375

Sweyn II Estridsen
Harald III Hen
Canute IV the Saint
Olaf I Hunger
Eric I Evergood
Niels
Eric II the Memorable
Eric III Lamb
Sweyn III Grathe / Canute V / Valdemar I the Great
Canute VI
Valdemar II the Victorious / Valdemar the Young
Eric IV Plough-tax
Abel
Christopher I
Eric V Klipping
Eric VI Menved
Christopher II / Eric Christoffersen
Valdemar III
Interregnum
Valdemar IV Atterdag

Bjälbo

1376–1387	Olaf II

Estridsen

1376–1412	Margrethe I

Pomerania

1397–1439	Eric VII of Pomerania

Palatinate-Neumarkt

1440–1448	Christopher III of Bavaria

Oldenburg

Senior branch 1448–1863	Christian I John Christian II Frederick I Christian III Frederick II Christian IV Frederick III Christian V Frederick IV Christian VI Frederick V Christian VII Frederick VI Christian VIII Frederick VII
Glücksburg since 1863	Christian IX Frederick VIII Christian X Frederik IX Margrethe II Frederik X

Italics indicates Danish monarchs who were also monarchs of Norway.
Also monarch of England.
Also monarch of Sweden.
Also monarch of Iceland.

Monarchs of Norway

I. Independent Norway

Foreign and non-royal
rulers in italics, disputed
monarchs in brackets

872–1387

Kalmar Union

1387–1523	Margaret Eric III Christopher Charles I Christian I John Christian II

Denmark–Norway

1524–1814	Frederick I Christian III Frederick II Christian IV Frederick III Christian V Frederick IV Christian VI Frederick V Christian VII Frederick VI

II. Independent Norway

1814	Christian Frederick

Union with Sweden

1814–1905	Charles II Charles III John Oscar I Charles IV Oscar II

III. Independent Norway

Since 1905	Haakon VII Olav V Harald V

v t e Monarchs of Iceland
Possession of Norway (1262–1814)	Haakon IV Magnus VI Eric II Haakon V Magnus VII Haakon VI Olaf IV Margaret I Eric III Christopher I Charles I Christian I John I Christian II Frederick I Christian III Frederick II Christian IV Frederick III Christian V Frederick IV Christian VI Frederick V Christian VII Frederick VI
Possession of Denmark (1814–1918)	Frederick VI Christian VIII Frederick VII Christian IX Frederick VIII Christian X
Kingdom of Iceland (1918–1944)	Kristján X (Christian X)

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