Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp

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

He was a son of Duke Friedrich III of Holstein-Gottorp and his wife Princess Marie Elisabeth of Saxony. Christian Albrecht became a Duke when his father died in the Castle Tönning, besieged by the danish King. Christian Albrecht was forced to fled and his further live was characterised by the fight with Denmark. Even the marriage with the daughter of Danish king Frederick III, concluded in the hope for peace, nothing could change. During the Christian Albrecht's reign was strengthened close connection with Sweden, which allowed protection, beginned by his father. However, this also led to the fact that dukedom was pulled into all conflicts of Sweden including the Great Northern War and wars with Denmark.

From 1675 to 1689 Christians Albrecht lived in the emigration in Hamburg. However, with the aid of the Holy Roman Emperor and the European allies he could achieve, that Danish king had to sign the so-called Altonaer Vergleich, which allower to him again to ascend the throne.

On 5 October 1665 he founded the University of Kiel.

Family and children

He was married on 24 October 1667 with Princess Frederika Amalia of Denmark, daughter of King Frederick III of Denmark and Sophia Amelia of Brunswick-Lüneburg. They had the following children:

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

Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp

Family and children

See also