Christian IV of Denmark mother Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
Early years
Birth and family
Christian was born at Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark on 12 April 1577 as the third child and eldest son of King Frederick II of Denmark–Norway and Sofie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He was descended, through his mother's side, from king John of Denmark, and was thus the first descendant of King John to assume the crown since the deposition of King Christian II.
At the time, Denmark was still an elective monarchy, so in spite of being the eldest son Christian was not automatically heir to the throne. But Norway was an hereditary monarchy, and electing someone else would result in the end of the union of the crowns. However, in 1580, at the age of 3, his father had him elected Prince and successor to the throne of Denmark.Stillborn son (1598).
Frederik (15 August 1599 – 9 September 1599).
Christian (10 April 1603 – 2 June 1647).
Sophie (4 January 1605 – 7 September 1605).
Elisabeth (16 March 1606 – 24 October 1608).
Frederick III (18 March 1609 – 9 February 1670).
Ulrik (2 February 1611 – 12 August 1633); murdered, Administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Schwerin as Ulrich III (1624–1633).
With his second wife, Kirsten Munk, he had 12 children, though the youngest, Dorothea Elisabeth, was rumoured to be the daughter of Kirsten's lover, Otto Ludwig:
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