# Christian VI > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Christian_VI > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Christian_VI.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_VI > Source revision: 1350725018 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|King of Denmark and Norway from 1730 to 1746}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{More footnotes needed|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox royalty | name = Christian VI | title = | image = Christian VI, King of Denmark.jpg | caption = Portrait by [Johann Salomon Wahl](/source/Johann_Salomon_Wahl) | succession = [King of Denmark](/source/List_of_Danish_monarchs) and [Norway](/source/List_of_Norwegian_monarchs) | moretext = ([more...](/source/Style_of_the_Danish_sovereign)) | coronation = 6 June 1731
[Frederiksborg Palace Chapel](/source/Frederiksborg_Palace_Chapel) | reign = 12 October 1730 – 6 August 1746 | predecessor = [Frederick IV](/source/Frederick_IV_of_Denmark) | successor = [Frederick V](/source/Frederick_V_of_Denmark) | reg-type1 = {{nowrap|[Chief Ministers](/source/List_of_prime_ministers_of_Denmark)}} | regent1 = {{List collapsed|title=''See list''|1=[Iver Rosenkrantz](/source/Iver_Rosenkrantz)
[Johan Ludvig Holstein](/source/Johan_Ludvig_Holstein)}} | spouse = {{marriage|[Sophie Magdalene of Brandenburg-Kulmbach](/source/Sophie_Magdalene_of_Brandenburg-Kulmbach)|1721}} | issue = [Frederik V](/source/Frederick_V_of_Denmark)
[Louise, Duchess of Saxe-Hildburghausen](/source/Princess_Louise_of_Denmark_(1726%E2%80%931756)) | house = [Oldenburg](/source/House_of_Oldenburg) | father = [Frederick IV of Denmark](/source/Frederick_IV_of_Denmark) | mother = [Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow](/source/Louise_of_Mecklenburg-G%C3%BCstrow) | birth_date = {{Birth date|1699|11|30|df=y}} | birth_place = [Copenhagen Castle](/source/Christiansborg_Palace) | death_date = {{Death date and age|1746|8|6|1699|11|30|df=y}} | death_place = [Hirschholm Palace](/source/Hirschholm_Palace), [Copenhagen](/source/Copenhagen) | burial_place = [Roskilde Cathedral](/source/Roskilde_Cathedral), [Zealand](/source/Zealand) | religion = [Pietist](/source/Pietism){{Cite web |title=Pietisme |url=https://natmus.dk/historisk-viden/danmark/enevaelde-1660-1849/religion-og-kirke-under-enevaelden/pietisme/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Nationalmuseet |language=da}} | signature = Signatures of Christian VI of Denmark.svg }} '''Christian VI''' (30 November 1699 – 6 August 1746) was King of [Denmark](/source/Denmark) and [Norway](/source/Norway) from 1730 to 1746. The eldest surviving son of [Frederick IV](/source/Frederick_IV_of_Denmark) and [Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow](/source/Louise_of_Mecklenburg-G%C3%BCstrow), he is considered one of [Denmark-Norway](/source/Denmark-Norway)'s more anonymous kings, but he was a skilled politician, best known for his authoritarian regime. He was the first king of the [Oldenburg dynasty](/source/House_of_Oldenburg) to refrain from entering in any war. During his reign both compulsory [confirmation](/source/confirmation) (1736) and a public, nationwide school system (1739) were introduced. His chosen motto was "''Deo et populo''" (for God and the people).{{cite web|url=http://www.kongernessamling.dk/rosenborg/christian-6-s-familie|title=Christian VI family info|publisher=kongernessamling.dk|access-date=15 August 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://kongehuset.dk/monarkiet-i-danmark/kongerakken|title=Christian VI (1699–1746) konge af Danmark og Norge|publisher=kongehuset.dk|access-date=15 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404171612/http://kongehuset.dk/monarkiet-i-danmark/kongerakken|archive-date=4 April 2019|url-status=dead}} ==Early years== thumb|upright|left|Christian as a child. Christian was born in the early hours of the morning on 30 November 1699 at [Copenhagen Castle](/source/Copenhagen_Castle) as the second but eldest surviving son of King [Frederick IV of Denmark](/source/Frederick_IV_of_Denmark) by his first consort, [Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow](/source/Louise_of_Mecklenburg-G%C3%BCstrow).{{ 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 }} A former heir to the throne, also named Christian, had died in infancy in 1698, and as his grandfather King [Christian V](/source/Christian_V_of_Denmark) had died just three months, before he was born, he was thus [crown prince](/source/crown_prince) from birth. The newborn prince was baptized later the same day by the royal [confessor](/source/confessor) Peder Jespersen, and was named after his late grandfather, King [Christian V](/source/Christian_V_of_Denmark).{{cite book|first1=Lone|last1=Hindø|first2=Else|last2=Boelskifte|chapter=Gud lade ham gå frem fra dyd til dyd|trans-chapter=Got let him go from virtue to virtue|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|page=27-31}} From 1706, Christian came to understand [Danish](/source/Danish_language) but used [German](/source/German_language) for everyday speaking and writing. He received a better education than both his father and grandfather. As Crown Prince, he was allowed by his father to find a royal wife by himself. During a trip through Europe accompanied by Chancellor [Ulrik Adolf Holstein](/source/Ulrik_Adolf_Holstein), the Crown Prince decided on [Sophie Magdalene of Brandenburg-Kulmbach](/source/Sophie_Magdalene_of_Brandenburg-Kulmbach), one of the ladies-in-waiting at the court of the Saxon-Polish queen [Christiane Eberhardine](/source/Christiane_Eberhardine_of_Brandenburg-Bayreuth) in the [Castle Pretzsch](/source/Pretzsch%2C_Wittenberg).{{cite web|url= http://www.danskekonger.dk/biografi/ChrVI.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090826141523/http://www.danskekonger.dk/biografi/ChrVI.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 26 August 2009|title = Christian 6. Konge af Danmark - Norge fra 1730-46|website= danskekonger.dk |access-date=1 December 2019}} Sophia Magdalene came from a minor margraviate (not greater than [Lolland](/source/Lolland)-[Falster](/source/Falster)) of the [Hohenzollern dynasty](/source/House_of_Hohenzollern) where able consciousness was inversely proportional to the funds; half of the land was mortgaged, and her father died young. She had 13 siblings and was considered an unequal match for the Danish prince, but the king gave his permission. In Christian's letters, he describes his feelings for the princess's intense religiosity, which reminded him of his own. They were married on 7 August 1721, while Christian was crown prince. The wedding was held at Pretzsch in Saxony.Tyge Krogh [https://books.google.com/books?id=LtwtfHdSut0C&dq=Tyge+Krogh%2C+%22Rationalismens+syndebuk.&pg=PA61 Rationalismens syndebuk. Christian 6. og pietismen i dansk historieskrivning] Museum Tusculanum Press, 1997 {{ISBN|9788772894515}}{{cite web|url= https://www.kvinfo.dk/side/597/bio/1351/origin/170/|title = Sophie Magdalene (1700–1770)|website= Dansk Kvindebiografisk Leksiko|access-date=1 December 2019}} ==Reign== thumb|left|350px|The Coronation of Christian VI, 1731. At the death of Frederick IV on 12 October 1730, the couple became King and Queen of Denmark-Norway. They were crowned on 6 June 1731 in the Chapel of [Frederiksborg Palace](/source/Frederiksborg_Palace).{{cite book |last=Monrad Møller |first=Anders |chapter=Christian VI.s & Sophie Magdalenes salving |trans-chapter=The anointing of Christian VI and Sophie Magdalene |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=78–103 |language=da }} The king was shy and introverted by nature, and stayed away from the public. Christian's indignation at his father's bigamy and general promiscuity – the reason for the great sorrow of his late mother – led him to one of his first government actions: reversing his father's will and depriving [widow Queen Anna Sophie](/source/Anna_Sophie_Reventlow), (Frederick IV's third wife if all "marriages" are counted, second wife if bigamous marriages excluded), of a large part of the wealth she had inherited before exiling her to the Clausholm estate, her childhood home.{{cite web|url=http://www.clausholm.dk/the-estate-of-clausholm|title=The estate of Clausholm|publisher=clausholm.dk|access-date=15 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415065536/http://www.clausholm.dk/the-estate-of-clausholm/|archive-date=15 April 2016|url-status=dead}} [[File:Christian VI med tjener.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Christian VI placing his hand on the [crown](/source/Crown_of_Christian_V), accompanied by a [page](/source/Page_(servant))]] For the first ten years of his government he consulted often with his cousin, Count [Christian Ernst of Stolberg-Wernigerode](/source/Christian_Ernst_of_Stolberg-Wernigerode). The count took part in almost everything, from the dismissal of cooks in the Queen's kitchen to determining alliance policy. He encouraged the king as long as possible to maintain the English alliance, which led to the marriage between [Louise](/source/Louise_of_Great_Britain), the daughter of [George II of Great Britain](/source/George_II_of_Great_Britain) with the king's elder son [Frederick](/source/Frederick_V_of_Denmark). [[File:Æresdikt til kong Christian VI ved hans ankomst til Trondhjem (1733).jpg|thumb|left|180px|Engraving of poem/speech by Peter Höyer held on Christian VI's and his queen arrival to the city of [Trondheim](/source/Trondheim).]] In 1733, the royal couple travelled to Norway. A poem/speech by Peter Höyer was performed in his honor when he visited the city of [Trondheim](/source/Trondheim) on 18 July.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.snl.no/Christian_6|title=Christian 6|publisher=Norsk biografisk leksikon|author=Finn Erhard Johannessen|access-date=15 August 2016|language=no}} Christian's central domestic act was the introduction of the so-called [adscription](/source/adscription) of 1733 (in [Danish](/source/Danish_language), ''[stavnsbånd](/source/stavnsb%C3%A5nd)''), a law that forced peasants to remain in their home regions, and by which the peasantry was subjected to both the local nobility and the army. Though the idea behind this law was probably to secure a constant number of peasant soldiers, it later was widely regarded as the ultimate subjugation of the Danish peasantry, and damaged Christian VI's reputation. The act would later be abolished in 1788.{{cite web|url= https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Denmark:_Adscription_of_1733_(Stavnsb%C3%A5ndet)|title=Denmark: Adscription of 1733 (Stavnsbåndet)|publisher=familysearch.org|access-date=15 August 2016}} [[File:First christiansborgpalace.gif|thumb|180px|The Royal Palace of [Christiansborg](/source/Christiansborg_Palace_(1st)), named after him]] The Pietist views of King Christian influenced much of his ecclesiastical polity although both nobility and many common people secretly resisted the king's influence. This did not mean that it was without effect. It had an influence on much of the poetry of the age including that of hymn writer [Hans Adolph Brorson](/source/Hans_Adolph_Brorson) (1694–1764). Another lasting result of the king's efforts was the introduction of mandatory [confirmation](/source/Confirmation_(sacrament)) in 1736. This required some level of literacy, thereby promoting the need for a common school system, which was created by decree in 1739.{{cite web|url= https://runeberg.org/dbl/3/0128.html|title = Hans Adolf Brorson, 1694-1764|website=Dansk biografisk Lexikon |access-date=1 December 2019}}{{cite web|url= https://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/forordning-om-skolerne-paa-landet-i-danmark-1739/ |title = Forordning om Skolerne på Landet i Danmark, 23. januar 1739|website= danmarkshistorien.dk |access-date=1 December 2019}} There were numerous building activities connected to Christian VI, and he was probably the greatest Danish builder of the 18th century; his queen also made a notable effort. Among their works are [Christiansborg Palace](/source/Christiansborg_Palace_(1st)) (built 1732–1742, burned in 1794, rebuilt); [Hirschholm Palace](/source/Hirschholm_Palace), a summer country retreat in North [Zealand](/source/Zealand_(Denmark)) in current day [Hørsholm](/source/H%C3%B8rsholm) municipality (built 1737–1739, demolished 1812); and the [Eremitage](/source/Eremitage) (built 1734–1736, still standing). For Crown Prince Frederik (V) was built the [Prince's palace](/source/National_Museum_of_Denmark) in Kalveboderne (built 1743–1744, still standing as the National Museum). The construction of these expensive buildings was financed by [Øresundstolden](/source/Sound_Dues), with the purpose of representing the power and wealth of the Danish realm, but they also became an economic burden on the subjects.{{cite web|url=https://snl.no/Christian_6|title=Christian VI profile|publisher=Store norske leksikon|author=Magne Njåstad|access-date=15 August 2016|language=no}} Christian's foreign policy was a peaceful one and Denmark-Norway kept strictly neutral. In both trade and commerce, it was an age of advancement; some new companies and banks were founded. His plans to make their only daughter, Princess Louise, Queen of Sweden never came to fruition. During the election of the heir to the Swedish throne, both the prince of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld and the prince of Mecklenburg were considered as candidates to be heir to the childless King [Frederick I of Sweden](/source/Frederick_I_of_Sweden). In 1743, [Adolf Frederik of Holstein-Gottorp](/source/Adolf_Frederick%2C_King_of_Sweden) was elected Swedish heir.{{cite web|url=https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=5574|title=Adolf Fredrik|publisher=Svenskt biografiskt lexikon|access-date=15 August 2016}} [[File:Christian VI with his family by Marcus Tuscher ca 1744.jpg|thumb|''"The Family of [Christian VI of Denmark-Norway](/source/Christian_VI_of_Denmark-Norway) 1744, painted by [Carl Marcus Tuscher](/source/Carl_Marcus_Tuscher)"''; (L-R) [Crown-Prince Frederick](/source/Frederick_V_of_Denmark); King Christian VI; [Queen Sophie Magdalene](/source/Sophia_Magdalene_of_Brandenburg-Kulmbach); and [Crown-Princess Louise](/source/Louise_of_Great_Britain) in the background is the summer residence of [Hirschholm](/source/Hirschholm_Palace)]] ===Treaty of San Ildefonso=== The Treaty of San Ildefonso of 1742, signed between [Spain](/source/Spain) and Denmark-Norway, was a treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation by setting out the conditions that would govern commercial relations between the two countries. José del Campillo y Cossio on behalf of [Philip V of Spain](/source/Philip_V_of_Spain) and Frederik Ludvig, Baron Dehn, by Christian VI, adjusted the agreement at the [Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso](/source/Royal_Palace_of_La_Granja_de_San_Ildefonso) on 18 July 1742. The treaty was never made effective: Spanish authorities considered that the exemption clause on half of the taxes for the import of Danish fish conflicted with other treaties with third countries, in which they were guaranteed preference in trade with Spain. In 1753 the agreement would be nullified.[https://books.google.com/books?id=ersCAAAAYAAJ Tratados, Convenios Y Declaraciones De Paz Y De Comercio], books.google.com; accessed 4 February 2017.{{in lang|es}} ===Death=== [[Image:ChristianVI feb-2007.jpg|150px|thumb|left|Christian VI's [sarcophagus](/source/sarcophagus).]] From his youth, Christian VI was sickly and chronically ill. On 6 August 1746 – the day before his silver marriage anniversary – the king died on [Hirschholm Palace](/source/Hirschholm_Palace). Christian VI was interred in [Roskilde Cathedral](/source/Roskilde_Cathedral). The [neoclassical](/source/neoclassicism) memorial designed and produced by sculptor [Johannes Wiedewelt](/source/Johannes_Wiedewelt) was commissioned by the king's widow who upon his death.[http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Dansk_Biografisk_Leksikon/Monarki_og_adel/Dronning/Sophie_Magdalene]| Dansk Biografisk Leksikon; accessed 4 February 2017.{{in lang|da}} The marble monument was completed in 1768, but not installed at Roskilde Cathedral until 1777. The monument includes a sarcophagus and two female figures, "''Sorgen''" ("Sorrow") and "''Berømmelsen''" ("Fame"). This was the first neoclassical sarcophagus in Denmark and is considered to mark the start of neoclassicism in that country.Koch, L. Kong Christian den Siettes Historie (Copenhagen: 1886).Edvard Holm. Danmark-Norges historie under Kristian VI (1730–1746).{{cite web|url=http://gravsted.dk/person.php?navn=christian6|title=Christian VI profile|publisher=gravsted.dk|access-date=15 August 2016|language=da}} ===Legacy=== thumb|150px|The city of Kristiansund. thumb|150px|Silver medal of Christian VI, dated 1736. To posterity, Christian VI is known foremost as a religious ruler. He was deeply devoted to [Pietism](/source/Pietism), and during his entire reign he tried to impart its teachings to his subjects. The religious pressure he imposed, along with his lack of personal charm, made him one of the most unpopular of Denmark-Norway's [absolutist](/source/Absolute_monarchy) kings;{{cite web|url=https://runeberg.org/dbl/3/0508.html|title=Christian VI, 1699-1746, Konge|publisher=Dansk biografisk Lexikon|access-date=15 August 2016|language=da}} but he was the first who never went to war nor was involved in war. The cities of [Kristiansund](/source/Kristiansund) in Norway and [Christiansted](/source/Christiansted%2C_U.S._Virgin_Islands) on [Saint Croix](/source/Saint_Croix) are named for him. ==Ancestry== {{Ahnentafel|collapsed=yes|align=center |boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc; |boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9; |boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc; |boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc; |1= 1. '''Christian VI of Denmark''' |2= 2. [Frederick IV of Denmark](/source/Frederick_IV_of_Denmark) |3= 3. [Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow](/source/Louise_of_Mecklenburg-G%C3%BCstrow) |4= 4. [Christian V of Denmark](/source/Christian_V_of_Denmark) |5= 5. [Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel](/source/Charlotte_Amalie_of_Hesse-Kassel) |6= 6. [Gustav Adolf, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow](/source/Gustav_Adolf%2C_Duke_of_Mecklenburg-G%C3%BCstrow) |7= 7. Princess [Magdalene Sibylle of Holstein-Gottorp](/source/Magdalene_Sibylle_of_Holstein-Gottorp) |8= 8. [Frederick III of Denmark](/source/Frederick_III_of_Denmark) |9= 9. [Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg](/source/Sophie_Amalie_of_Brunswick-L%C3%BCneburg) |10= 10. [William VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel](/source/William_VI%2C_Landgrave_of_Hesse-Kassel) |11= 11. [Margravine Hedwig Sophie of Brandenburg](/source/Margravine_Hedwig_Sophie_of_Brandenburg) |12= 12. [John Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg](/source/John_Albert_II%2C_Duke_of_Mecklenburg)-Güstrow |13= 13. Princess [Eleonore Marie of Anhalt-Bernburg](/source/Eleonore_Marie_of_Anhalt-Bernburg) |14= 14. [Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp](/source/Frederick_III%2C_Duke_of_Holstein-Gottorp) |15= 15. [Duchess Marie Elisabeth of Saxony](/source/Duchess_Marie_Elisabeth_of_Saxony) }} ==References== ===Citations=== {{reflist}} ===Bibliography=== * {{cite book|last=Feldbæk|first=Ole|authorlink=Ole Feldbæk|chapter=Den lange fred|trans-chapter=The long peace|chapter-url=https://danmarkshistorien.lex.dk/.taxonomy/442|editor-last=Olsen|editor-first=Olaf|title=Gyldendal og Politikens Danmarkshistorie|volume=9: 1700-1800|publisher=[Gyldendal](/source/Gyldendal) og [Politikens Forlag](/source/Politikens_Forlag)|location=Copenhagen|year=1990|isbn=87-89068-11-4|language=da}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Christian VI of Denmark}} * [http://kongehuset.dk/english/the-monarchy-in-denmark/The-Royal-Lineage The Royal Lineage] {{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 [Danish Monarchy](/source/Danish_Monarchy) * [http://www.kongernessamling.dk/en/rosenborg/person/christian-vi/ Christian VI] at the website of the [Royal Danish Collection](/source/Royal_Danish_Collection) at [Rosenborg Castle](/source/Rosenborg_Castle) {{S-start}} {{S-hou|[House of Oldenburg](/source/House_of_Oldenburg)|30 November|1699|6 August|1746|name=Christian VI}} {{S-reg}} {{S-bef|before=[Frederick IV](/source/Frederick_IV_of_Denmark)}} {{S-ttl|title=[King of Denmark](/source/List_of_Danish_monarchs) and [Norway](/source/List_of_Norwegian_monarchs)
[Duke of Schleswig](/source/List_of_rulers_of_Schleswig-Holstein)
[Count of Oldenburg](/source/Count_of_Oldenburg)|years=1730–1746}} {{S-aft|after=[Frederick V](/source/Frederick_V_of_Denmark)}} |- {{s-bef|rows=1|before=[Frederick IV](/source/Frederick_IV_of_Denmark) and
[Charles Frederick](/source/Charles_Frederick%2C_Duke_of_Holstein-Gottorp)}} {{s-ttl|rows=1|title=[Duke of Holstein](/source/List_of_rulers_of_Schleswig-Holstein)|regent1=[Charles Frederick](/source/Charles_Frederick%2C_Duke_of_Holstein-Gottorp)|years1=1730–1739|regent2=[Charles Peter Ulrich](/source/Peter_III_of_Russia)|years2=1739–1746|years=1730–1746}} {{s-aft|rows=1|after=[Frederick V](/source/Frederick_V_of_Denmark) and
[Charles Peter Ulrich](/source/Peter_III_of_Russia)}} {{S-end}} {{Danish princes}} {{Monarchs of Denmark}} {{Monarchs of Norway}} {{Monarchs of Iceland}} {{Authority control}} Category:Christian VI of Denmark Category:1746 deaths Category:18th-century Norwegian monarchs Category:Dukes of Schleswig Category:Dukes of Holstein Category:People from Denmark–Norway Category:Burials at Roskilde Cathedral Category:Counts of Oldenburg Category:18th-century monarchs of Denmark Category:1699 births Category:Crown princes of Denmark Category:Crown princes of Norway Category:Danish people of German descent Category:Norwegian people of German descent Category:Sons of kings Category:Protestant monarchs --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Christian VI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_VI) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_VI?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.