About Christopher, Duke of Lolland
Lived 1341 – 1363 (aged 21–22). Christopher, Duke of Lolland was a Danish aristocrat.
Christopher (; 1341 – 11 June 1363), Duke of Lolland, was the son of King Valdemar IV of Denmark and his wife, Helvig of Schleswig. Christopher was appointed duke in 1359 and also was selected to succeed as king.
He was first mentioned in 1354–55, and in 1358 was sent by his father to Nyborg to negotiate with representatives of the rebellious Jutes. He became involved in government decisions, and was appointed Duke of Lolland. He also entitled himself as the True Heir of Danes and Slavs. Christopher actively participated in the war for reconquest of Scania which his father had initiated. Christopher was injured during the Battle of Helsingborg in 1362. German chronicles are not clear about what weapon inflicted the prince's mortal wound, but according to Swedish Henrik Smith's chronicle from the early 16th century Christopher was hit by a rock while fighting at sea. According to Nordisk familjebok, Christopher was shot in the head with a rock and subsequently suffered from a mental disorder.
Christopher died from an illness the following year in Copenhagen. Although his death is often attributed to his war wounds it is unknown to what extent his injuries actually contributed to the illness.
Instead of being buried at Sorø Abbey with his father and mother, he was buried in Roskilde Cathedral with his sister Margaret I of Denmark. His tomb was originally commissioned in Central Europe, and depicts the alabaster effigy of a young knight in full armor studded with jewels and surrounded by the heraldic shields of Denmark, Halland and Lolland. The tomb is empty as the prince is probably buried beneath the church floor. The alabaster tomb visible today was restored in 1879 by sculptor Vilhelm Bissen from fragmentary pieces after being destroyed during the Reformation.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Family & relationships
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Christopher, Duke of Lolland's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Christopher, Duke of Lolland?
Danish prince
When was Christopher, Duke of Lolland born?
Christopher, Duke of Lolland was born in 1341 in Tikøb.
When did Christopher, Duke of Lolland die?
Christopher, Duke of Lolland died on 11 June 1363 in Copenhagen.
What was Christopher, Duke of Lolland's occupation?
Christopher, Duke of Lolland was an aristocrat.
What nationality was Christopher, Duke of Lolland?
Christopher, Duke of Lolland was Danish.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Christopher, Duke of Lolland
· DBpedia: Christopher, Duke of Lolland
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Christopher, Duke of Lolland. https://biography.guide/christopher-duke-of-lolland/
MLA: "Christopher, Duke of Lolland." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/christopher-duke-of-lolland/.
Chicago: "Christopher, Duke of Lolland." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/christopher-duke-of-lolland/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence
Page generated 2026-09-27 04:57 UTC