Frederick III of Denmark

Quick Facts: Who was Frederick III of Denmark?

Subject:

Frederick III of Denmark

Known for:

King of Denmark and Norway (1648–1670) who established absolute monarchy in the realm.

Born:

1609-03-18

Died:

1670-02-09

Century / Era:

1609s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Frederick III (Danish: Frederik; 18 March 1609 – 9 February 1670) was King of Denmark and Norway from 1648 until his death in 1670. He also governed under the name Frederik II as diocesan administrator (colloquially referred to as prince-bishop) of the Prince-Bishopric of Verden (1623–29 and again 1634–44), and the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen (1635–45). The second-eldest son of Christian IV and Anne Catherine of Brandenburg, Frederick was only considered an heir to the throne after the death of his older brother Prince Christian in 1647. He instituted absolute monarchy in Denmark–Norway in 1660, confirmed by law in 1665 as the first in Western historiography. He also ordered the creation of the Throne Chair of Denmark.

Career & Major Achievements

After failed and costly aggressive wars under Christian IV, most Danes did not want to go to war again. According to Cathal Nolan, when Frederick III became king in 1648, he was excluded from the talks leading to the Peace of Westphalia and had to watch as Bremen was lost to rivaling Sweden, also freed from paying Oresund Tolls. In order to be elected king after the death of his father, Frederick III conceded significant influence to the nobility. As king, he fought losing wars against Sweden. He was defeated in the Dano-Swedish War of 1657–1658, and in the Dano-Swedish War of 1658–1660.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

However, when it seemed like king Charles X Gustav of Sweden was about to suffer a catastrophic defeat in the Second Northern War, Frederick III declared war on Sweden. Unexpectedly, Charles X Gustav crossed the frozen Belts to Zealand and appeared with 5,000 men near Copenhagen. Frederick III was unprepared and forced to sign the Treaty of Roskilde. Frederick disbanded the elective monarchy in favour of absolute monarchy, which lasted until 1814 in Norway and 1848 in Denmark. He married Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg, with whom he fathered Christian V of Denmark.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1609 (1609-03-18): Birth of Frederick III of Denmark — King of Denmark and Norway (1648–1670) who established absolute monarchy in the realm.
2. 1623: 1623 Milestone — He also governed under the name Frederik II as diocesan administrator (colloquially referred to as prince-bishop) of the Prince-Bishopric of Verden (1623–29 and again 1634–44), and the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen (1635–45).
3. 1647: 1647 Milestone — The second-eldest son of Christian IV and Anne Catherine of Brandenburg, Frederick was only considered an heir to the throne after the death of his older brother Prince Christian in 1647.
4. 1648: 1648 Milestone — According to Cathal Nolan, when Frederick III became king in 1648, he was excluded from the talks leading to the Peace of Westphalia and had to watch as Bremen was lost to rivaling Sweden, also freed from paying Oresund Tolls.
5. 1657: 1657 Milestone — He was defeated in the Dano-Swedish War of 1657–1658, and in the Dano-Swedish War of 1658–1660.
6. 1660: 1660 Milestone — He instituted absolute monarchy in Denmark–Norway in 1660, confirmed by law in 1665 as the first in Western historiography.
7. 1670 (1670-02-09): Passing & Historical Legacy — Frederick III of Denmark passed away on 1670-02-09, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
8. 1814: 1814 Milestone — Frederick disbanded the elective monarchy in favour of absolute monarchy, which lasted until 1814 in Norway and 1848 in Denmark.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Frederick III of Denmark

True or False: “Frederick III was immediately granted full, unquestioned royal authority upon becoming king in 1648.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Due to lingering doubts about Christian IV's rule and his own past administrative conflicts, Frederick had to sign a Haandfæstning charter that curtailed royal prerogative.

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