Christian, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Christian the Elder, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, (1566–1633) was Prince of Lüneburg and Administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Minden.

Life

Christian was born on 9 November 1566, the second son of Duke William of Brunswick and Lunenburg and Dorothea of Denmark, was elected in 1597 as Coadjutor of the Prince-Bishopric of Minden and took office as the bishop himself in 1599. After the death of his elder brother, Ernest II (1611), he took over the rule of the Principality of Lüneburg and acquired the Principality of Grubenhagen in 1617, which was merged.

Christian was born on 9 November 1566, the second son of Duke William of Brunswick and Lunenburg and Dorothea of Denmark, was elected in 1597 as Coadjutor of the Prince-Bishopric of Minden and took office as the bishop himself in 1599. After the death of his elder brother, Ernest II (1611), he took over the rule of the Principality of Lüneburg and acquired the Principality of Grubenhagen in 1617, which was merged. When the Thirty Years War broke out he joined, with Duke Frederick of Holstein, the side of the Emperor, became colonel of the Lower Saxon Circle troops (Kreistruppen) and sought with great skill to keep the scene of the war as far from the bishopric territory as possible; despite that in 1623 the imperial forces under Tilly occupied the land. When Lower Saxon noblemen then prepared to defend themselves, Christian resigned his post of circle colonel. Not until 1629, when the Edict of Restitution was passed, did he join the Protestant faith. He died on 8 November 1633.

He died on 8 November 1633.

Sources

• William Sauer (1876) (in German). "Christian (Duke von Brunswick-Lüneburg)". In Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). 4. Leipzig: Duncker & Humblot. pp. 162–163.
• The Thirty Years War C.V. Wedgewood

External links

• Publications by or about Christian, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg at VD 17
• House of Welf

Christian, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg House of Welf Cadet branch of the House of Este Born: 9 November 1566 Died: 8 November 1633
German nobility
Religious titles
Preceded by Anthony of Schauenburg	Administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Minden 1599–1625	Vacant Title next held by Francis of Wartenberg
German nobility
Preceded by Ernest II	Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg Prince of Lunenburg 1611–1633	Succeeded by Augustus
Preceded by Frederick Ulrich	Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg Prince of Grubenhagen 1617	Grubenhagen merged into Lunenburg

Persondata
Name	Christian, Duke Of Brunswick-Luneburg
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	9 November1566
Place of birth
Date of death	1633
Place of death