As we continue the theme of Forgotten Royal Women, we stay in the era of the Kalmar Union. Our last story ended with queen Philippa’s death in 1430. The story of Christine of Saxony begins in 1461.
Born into the influential House of Wettin, Christine’s early life was a preparation for her future role in European nobility. At a young age, she entered into a political marriage with Hans (also known as John), the king of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway – the three countries of the Kalmar Union.
Before we start Christine’s journey, I need to make a quick summary of what had happened in the Kalmar Union since Philippa’s death. Her husband, Erik of Pomerania, were dethroned and replaced with his nephew, Kristofer of Bavaria in the early 1440s. Kristofer however died after just seven years on the Nordic thrones.
He was eventually replaced by Christian I. Although the Swedes were rebellious and the war that started during Erik’s reign continued. Christian and his wife Dorothea had a son, Hans (also known as John), and he married Christine. So, the Union were still pretty much the same as it had been in Philippa’s time, only that no one had her diplomatic skills and could appease the Swedes.
Also, I’d like to mention that she is called Christina in English sources, but since she is known as Christine in Denmark, that’s what I’ll call her too.
Christine was born on December 25th 1461, daughter of Ernst, elector of Saxony and Elisabeth of Bavaria, the eldest of seven siblings. Not much is known of her childhood, but her mother made sure that her daughters, as well as the sons, were given a good education. We know that Christine was very religious, but due to this education, she was probably well versed in culture and science as well.
In 1478, when she was 17, Christine was married to Hans, prince of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. They seemed to have gotten on fine the first years of their marriage, and Christine gave birth to three sons in quick succession; Hans (1479), Ernst (1480) and Christian (1481). Both Hans and Ernst died young.
In 1481, king Christian I died, and Hans ascended the throne in Denmark. Norway and Sweden was less willing to accept him. It took until 1483 until he became king of Norway. Sweden however was ruled by nobleman Sten Sture the Elder, and refused to accept Hans.
In the meantime, Christine lived at Nyborg castle with her children. Her surviving son, Christian, was joined in 1485 by a daughter, Elisabeth. There is a myth that the royal couple had yet another son, Jakob, who would later in life end up as a monk in Mexico. Most historians dismisses this claim however, since there is no contemporary sources of another prince until 1497 when the youngest, Frans, was born.
There is actually another theory that needs to be adressed, that Christian (future Christian II) was illegitimate. The year before his birth, an Italian legate had been staying at the court, and he is said to have been Christine’s favourite and they spent a lot of time together. Since Hans was often absent, there is rumours that he wasn’t Christian’s real father. One thing that could point to this, is that Christian did not look like his parents. For example, both his parents had blue eyes, but Christian had brown. Of course that doesn’t necessarily mean he was not Hans’ son, but it leaves room for speculation.
Not much is known about Christine’s life in the 1480s and 90s. She and her husband did not seem to have spent much time together, and even though they did have another child in 1497, their marriage had started to crumble. And as the new century drew closer, so did the end of their relationship.
The story continues in the next post.
Sources:
Leth Jespersen, Mikkel. Dronning Christine og Hans: len, magt og fromhed i dansk senmiddelalder. Dansk historisk tidskrift, 2005.
Lyngvild, Jim. Danmarks konger og dronninger fra Gorm til Margrethe II. (2019)
Petersson, Erik. Furste av Norden – Kristian Tyrann. (2017)