Christian VII

[cimbrio]

Christian VII is a very interesting character. Can anyone forward any info on him, as well as portraits? Is he the least popular King of Denmark? If not, who is?

[kmerov]

Well, he is remembered for being schizofrenic and violent. He became king at the age of 17, and it was clear that he wasn't sane. He married his first cousin Caroline Mathilde, but took a prostitute as his mistress. They would tour Copenhagen and trash everything they could get their hands on.
After that he met a doctor, Struensee who helped him calm down a bit. Struensee started an affair with the queen, and he became the ruler of Denmark for a short period, until Christians step mother, dowager queen Juliane Marie staged a coup. She had Struensee executed and the king divorce Caroline Mathilde who was arrested aswell. When his son crown prince frederik (VI) became of age, he staged another coup and ruled as regent until Chrisitan VII died in 1808.

He is not the least popular king, just a tragic figure. One of the least popular kings is Christian VI.

[Rosamund]

Cimbrio, here is a good link to the Danish Kings.

http://www.danskekonger.dk/eng/biografi/ChrVII.html

Kmerov, as Louisa Augusta was Struensee's daughter why was she acknowledged by Christian V11?

[cimbrio]

Thanks to you both. Well Rosamund, what I can come up with is that  the scandal would have been even greater if the King had put both his wife and the child away while he executed Struensee. I suppose it wasn't the baby's fault that she was born to whom she was born, maybe the King thought her might as well have a daughter. Plus, if he said the girlw as his child there would nothing else to be said... Well, can anyone come up with anything?

[kmerov]

Well Christian VII was pretty much not in contact with the world at that time, so I don't think he really understood or cared about whos child it was, and Struensee had control over the king so it didn't take much to make him acknowledge Louise Augusta. Everybody knew she was Struensees daughter( at court she was called La petite Struensee), but when the king said it was his daughter the case was closed.

[bell_the_cat]

Caroline Mathilde died, aged 23 or 24 in the castle of Zelle in Germany, where she was imprisoned. Most sources say she died of cancer. The year was 1775.

Ironically it was the same castle that her great-grandmother Sophia Dorothea of Zelle had been imprisoned in, and where she also died. Sophia Dorothea had also been carrying on an affair. Her lover Königsmarck disappeared i.e was probably murdered. She was divorced and shut up in her home town.

She might have been Queen of England - her husband the elector of Hanover became King George I. She died almost exactly a year before him in 1726. However that's another family, another thread!

The Schloss at Zelle can be visited - I drove past it a couple of years ago - as can the Schlosskirche, where if I am not mistaken, both unfortunate ladies are buried.

[Rosamund]

Well Christian VII was pretty much not in contact with the world at that time, so I don't think he really understood or cared about whos child it was, and Struensee had control over the king so it didn't take much to make him acknowledge Louise Augusta. Everybody knew she was Struensees daughter( at court she was called La petite Struensee), but when the king said it was his daughter the case was closed.

So there was no doubt about who fathered Louisa Augusta?  

Looking at the portraits that Daniela so kindly posted, I see a resemblance between the shape of the mouths of both Christian and his 'daughter'.

[kmerov]

No I don't think so. It was pretty much clear since Caroline Mathilde and Struensee had an very obvious affair, and the king was living in his own little world.

A picture of Louise augusta and her husband Duke Frederik Christian of Augustenborg.

[Rosamund]

Fortunately Louisa didn't inherit Struensee's chin!  

Did Christian show any interest in her whatsoever?  

How did she react when she became aware that others considered her to be the Doctor's daughter?

[Daniela]

And how was her relationship with her brother King Frederik VI? Well, half - brother.

Daniela

[Rosamund]

And how was her relationship with her brother King Frederik VI? Well, half - brother.

Daniela

Through her whole life she had a close relationship with her brother, Frederik VI, whom she supported, also after he and her husband came into political disagreement.

The quote is from this site  'www.rosenborgslot.dk'.

Louisa Augusta looks like a girl with a strong character.

[kmerov]

Fortunately Louisa didn't inherit Struensee's chin!  

Did Christian show any interest in her whatsoever?  

How did she react when she became aware that others considered her to be the Doctor's daughter?

No, I don't think so, mainly because of his mental ilness.

I don't now exactly how it affected her, but she had a strong character and self awareness, and she knew from a very early age that she was Struensees daughter, so I think she took the gossip with a "high chin". Also she was the leading lady at court after her brothers coup for many years, which she enyoyed very much and nobody could question her position.

[Rosamund]

Louisa Augusta seems to deserve her own thread.  She has several interesting descendants, the Empress Dona for example.  I wonder what they thought about their illustrious ancestor Struensee.

[Rosamund]

What is known about Christian's childhood?  

His mother was Louisa, daughter of George 11.  I have found almost nothing written about her compared to other Hanoverian Princesses.  This information is from 'www.rosenborgslot.dk'.

Louise's arrival in Denmark marked a change at the Danish Court. Life became much more joyful than it had been during the reign of the strongly Pietist Christian VI and Queen Sophie Magdalene. Louise was fond of parties, theatre and dancing. The joyful Queen became exceedingly popular, not least with the population of Copenhagen.

The Queen made a great effort to learn the Danish language and insisted on teaching it to her children also; this contributed to her popularity. Louise gave birth to five children, of which four survived. She died during another pregnancy after only five years as Queen of Denmark.

His father was Frederik V1, son of very religious parents who became a heavy drinker.

Did Frederik's drinking affect his relationship with his son and heir?

[kmerov]

Christian didn't have a easy childhood. His mother died when he was very young, and his father, Fredrik V didn't care much about his children. He spend most of his time drinking as you mentioned. So Christian had no relationship with his father.
Christian was a diffcult child.  He had rages, got into fights and  his education was completely neglected.  His teacher or chamberlain believed in 'using a firm hand'. He terrorised the young Prince with severe beatings. After a beating, Christian could be found on the floor foaming at the mouth. By the age of 17 he was pretty much insane or schizofrenic.