Christopher of Oldenburg
(Christoffer) (c. 1504 – August 4, 1566). German Count, regent in Eastern Denmark during the Count's War
(or The Count's Feud) 1534–36 which was named after him.
He was the grandson of Count Gerhard of Oldenburg
, a brother of King Christian I of Denmark
. As a young man he was educated a clergyman but probably because of economic problems he later on chose a military career participating in wars in Germany. He was described an "intellectual condottiere" possessing a classic Greek knowledge but apparently no great military talent.
As a grand-cousin of both Christian II
and Christian III
he took interest in Scandinavian politics. When the civil war broke out in Denmark 1534 after the death of Frederick I
Christopher, who had converted to Protestantism
, was hired by Lübeck
as the military leader of the alliance of Danish commoners, Lübeck and Protestants against Christian III and the Danish nobility. The formal purpose of this alliance was the restoration of Christian II. Christopher's own zeal seems to have been the Danish crown.
After a promising start in which he became the master of Zealand
with the title of a regent and conquered Funen he had severe setbacks and quarrelled with his allies. Furthermore Lübeck involved the Duke Albrecht
in the alliance offering him the Danish crown which created jealousy between the two war lords. Christian III's conquest of both Jutland
and the defection of Scania... Read More