The Tree of Europe · Person

Christian II of Denmark

«the Tyrant»

He sought to strengthen royal authority in the Scandinavian kingdoms. The Stockholm Bloodbath intensified Swedish resistance and helped bring about the break-up of the union.

1481 – 1559KingOldenburg · ES

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

Historical portraitPortrait of Christian II of DenmarkLucas Cranach the Elder · 1525Public domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1 July 1481 Documented

Death: 25 January 1559 Documented

Role: King

Dynasty: Oldenburg · ES

Territories: Denmark (ES) · Sweden (ES) · Norway (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

King · Denmark · Reign Documented1513–1523Effective rule

King · Norway · Reign Documented1513–1523Effective rule

King · Sweden · Reign Pending review1520–1521Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

John of DenmarkDocumentedChristina of Saxony · ESDocumented

Partners

Isabella of Austria · ESPending review

Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Christian II of Denmark. Each title retains its own status.

Period

Governments in 1520

DenmarkKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- Denmark · ESKing · Effective rule1513–1523
NorwayKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- Norway · ESKing · Effective rule1513–1523
SwedenKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- Sweden · ESKing · Effective rule1520–1521

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

How these titles came together

1513 · Denmark · NorwayInheritance · Election
The death of his father John opened the succession. Recognition in the associated kingdoms supported his accession; he acquired Sweden through the conquest of 1520.
Reference Reference
1520 · SwedenConquest
The campaign against Sten Sture the Younger and Stockholm's capitulation enabled his coronation. Subsequent repression fuelled the rebellion that ended Sweden's union.
Reference Reference

Selected explained accessions. Other titles remain in the profile’s list of recorded governments.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

11 recorded claims · 5 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
1 July 1481
The authority record gives the birth as 1481-07-01.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Christian II., Dänemark, König · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
25 January 1559
The authority record gives the death as 1559-01-25.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Christian II., Dänemark, König · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (2/3 with a precise source)

FatherDocumented
John of Denmark
The authority record identifies John of Denmark (GND 12433072X) as father.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Christian II., Dänemark, König · Relationships: father → GND 12433072X
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
MotherDocumented
Christina of Saxony
The authority record identifies Christina of Saxony (GND 135952468) as mother.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Christian II., Dänemark, König · Relationships: mother → GND 135952468
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
Marriage or partnershipPending review
Isabella of Austria
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Governments (2/3 with a precise source)

GovernmentDocumented
King · Denmark · 1513–1523
The authority record dates this office to 1513–1523.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Christian II., Dänemark, König · Biographical data: «1513-1523: König von Dänemark u. Norwegen, 1520-1523 auch noch König von Schweden»
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
GovernmentDocumented
King · Norway · 1513–1523
The authority record dates this office to 1513–1523.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Christian II., Dänemark, König · Biographical data: «1513-1523: König von Dänemark u. Norwegen, 1520-1523 auch noch König von Schweden»
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
GovernmentPending review
King · Sweden · 1520–1521
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Successions (0/3 with a precise source)

SuccessionPending review
Sweden · Unrecorded successor · 1520
The campaign against Sten Sture the Younger and Stockholm's capitulation enabled his coronation. Subsequent repression fuelled the rebellion that ended Sweden's union.A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
SuccessionPending review
Denmark · Unrecorded successor · 1513
The death of his father John opened the succession. Recognition in the associated kingdoms supported his accession; he acquired Sweden through the conquest of 1520.A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
SuccessionPending review
Norway · Unrecorded successor · 1513
The death of his father John opened the succession. Recognition in the associated kingdoms supported his accession; he acquired Sweden through the conquest of 1520.A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Biographical and contextual references (2)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

Keep exploring

More paths from Christian II of Denmark