1650-1675

The wars of Charles Gustavus (1657-1658 and 1658-1660) were the important events in foreign politics of the period. The loss of Scania, Halland and Blekinge at the Peace of Roskilde in 1658 was a nadir of power politics in Danish history. On the other hand, the Swedish siege of Copenhagen from August 1658 to May 1660 became the foundation of the Royal couple’s great popularity. That made way for the introduction of the absolute monarchy in 1660, when Frederik III received homage as hereditary King and freed himself from the influence of the nobility. Hereby, the long lasting power struggle between King and nobility was brought to a conclusion.

Frederik III was succeeded by Christian V in 1670. The monarchy’s progress continued, and Christian was able to turn his attention to Sweden to prepare for a war of revenge, the Scanian War, which was started in 1675.

Rosenborg was frequently used as the residence for Frederik III and Sophie Amalie, who made several conversions. Around 1665 they exchanged chambers on the ground floor, and at the same time, two of the rooms were fitted in fashionable Chinese style. Christian V’s appointment of the first Knights of Dannebrog in 1671 took place in Rosenborg Castle.

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