Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp

Christian Albrecht.

Christian Albert (3 February 1641, Gottorp – 6 January 1695, Gottorp) was a duke of Holstein-Gottorp and bishop of Lübeck.

He was a son of Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, and his wife Princess Marie Elisabeth of Saxony. Christian Albertbecame duke when his father died in the Castle Tönning, besieged by the King Christian V of Denmark. Christian Albertwas forced to flee and the remainder of his life was characterized by his fight with Denmark. Even the marriage with the daughter of King Frederick III of Denmark, arranged in the hope for peace, changed nothing. During Christian Albert's reign, the connection with Sweden, having been initiated by his father, was strengthened, which provided some protection. However, this also led to the duchy being pulled into all of Sweden's conflicts, including the Great Northern War and several wars with Denmark.

From 1675 to 1689, Christian Albert lived in exile in Hamburg. However, with the aid of the Holy Roman Emperor and the European allies, he managed to force the Danish king to sign the so-called Altonaer Vergleich, which allowed to him regain his former position.

On 5 October 1665, he founded the University of Kiel. The painter Jürgen Ovens worked more than 30 years for him and his father Frederick III of Holstein-Gottorp. In 1678 the duke took part in the founding of the Hamburg Opera.

Family and children

Christian Albert married, on 24 October 1667, Princess Frederica Amalia of Denmark, daughter of King Frederick III of Denmark and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. They had the following children:

1. Sophie Amalie (19 January 1670 – 27 February 1710), married on 7 July 1695 to Prince Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.
2. Duke Frederick IV of Holstein-Gottorp (18 October 1671 – 19 July 1702).
3. Duke Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp (11 January 1673 – 24 April 1726).
4. Marie Elisabeth (21 March 1678 – 17 July 1755), Abbess of Quedlinburg.

See also

• History of Schleswig-Holstein

Ancestors

Christian Albert's ancestors in three generations

Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp	Father: Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp	Paternal Grandfather: John Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp	Paternal Great-grandfather: Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
			Paternal Great-grandmother: Christine of Hesse
		Paternal Grandmother: Augusta of Denmark	Paternal Great-grandfather: Frederick II of Denmark
			Paternal Great-grandmother: Sofie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
	Mother: Marie Elisabeth of Saxony	Maternal Grandfather: John George I, Elector of Saxony	Maternal Great-grandfather: Christian I, Elector of Saxony
			Maternal Great-grandmother: Sophie of Brandenburg
		Maternal Grandmother: Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia	Maternal Great-grandfather: Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia
			Maternal Great-grandmother: Marie Eleonore of Cleves

Christian Albert of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp House of Holstein-Gottorp Cadet branch of the House of Oldenburg Born: 3 February 1641 in Gottorp Died: 6 January 1695 in Gottorp
Regnal titles
Religious titles
Preceded by John X	Prince-Bishop of Lübeck (Lutheran Administrator) 1655–1666	Succeeded by Augustus Frederick
Regnal titles
Preceded by Frederick III	— TITULAR — Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp 1659–1695	Succeeded by Frederick IV
Preceded by Frederick III (Denmark-Norway) and Frederick III (Gottorp)	Duke of Holstein and Schleswig 1659–1695 with Frederick III (1659-1670) Christian V (1670-1695)	Succeeded by Christian V and Frederick IV