Christian IV (1577-1648) was king of Denmark from 1588 until his death. His 60-year reign was the longest of any Danish monarch. Christian inherited a strong, wealthy nation but involved it in wars that left it weak and bankrupt. However, he became known as Denmark’s greatest builder and encouraged the arts.
Christian was born on April 12, 1577, in Frederiksborg. He succeeded his father, Frederik II, as king. Christian sponsored the construction of many elegant buildings in Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital. He helped design some of them, including the Rosenborg Palace (1606) and the Stock Exchange (1624). Christian hired outstanding foreign craftworkers and artists to decorate the buildings, and he promoted music and ballet at his court. The king also licensed trading companies that helped establish Danish colonies in Africa, India, and the Caribbean.
From 1625 to 1629, Danish forces helped Protestants fight Roman Catholics in Germany (see Thirty Years’ War (The Danish period)). From 1643 to 1645, Denmark fought Sweden. These wars brought defeat and losses and drained Denmark’s treasury. Christian died on Feb. 28, 1648.
