Christian I

Related Category: Scandinavian History: Biographies

(krĭs´chən), 1426–81, king of Denmark (1448–81), Norway (1450–81), and Sweden (1457–64), count of Oldenburg, and founder of the Oldenburg dynasty of Danish kings. In 1460 he also succeeded to Schleswig and Holstein; the terms of the settlement have been cited to justify both Danish and German claims to Schleswig-Holstein. A weak monarch despite the vastness of his lands, he made large concessions to the nobles, particularly in his German dominions, and barely controlled Sweden (see Kalmar Union). His attempts to assert his authority in Sweden ended in 1471 with his defeat at Brunkeberg, near Stockholm, by Sten Sture (the elder). He was succeeded by his son John.