Christian VIII of Denmark (b. 1786)

Christian VIII, born on 18 September 1786, played a pivotal, albeit complex, role in the history of both Denmark and Norway. He ascended to the Danish throne as King of Denmark from 1839 until his passing on 20 January 1848. Prior to this, he had a distinct, brief, but historically significant reign as King of Norway in 1814, under his birth name, Christian Frederick.

Born as Christian Frederick, he was the eldest son of Hereditary Prince Frederick of Denmark and Norway. Hereditary Prince Frederick was himself a younger son of the revered King Frederick V, who had reigned over the dual monarchy of Denmark-Norway from 1746 to 1766. This lineage placed Christian Frederick within the royal House of Oldenburg, a dynasty that had ruled Denmark for centuries.

The Path to Succession: Heir Presumptive

The line of succession to the Danish-Norwegian throne was governed by the Kongeloven (Lex Regia), the Royal Law of 1665, which established absolute monarchy and agnatic primogeniture. Christian Frederick's cousin, King Frederick VI, who ruled from 1808, faced a significant dynastic challenge: he had no surviving male heirs. This critical absence meant that from 1808, Christian Frederick became the heir presumptive to the Danish throne. This status made him the most likely successor, though his position could technically be superseded by the birth of a direct male heir to Frederick VI, which never occurred.

The Norwegian Interlude: King in 1814

Christian VIII's connection to Norway is particularly notable, marking a tumultuous period in Scandinavian history. In 1813, during the Napoleonic Wars, he was dispatched to Norway as its governor-general by his cousin, King Frederick VI. His mission was to bolster Norwegian loyalty to Denmark, especially as the Dano-Norwegian union, which had existed since 1380, faced severe external threats. However, the situation dramatically changed with the signing of the Treaty of Kiel on 14 January 1814. This treaty, forced upon Denmark by Sweden and the Allied powers after Denmark's defeat, mandated the cession of Norway to Sweden.

Rather than comply, the Norwegians, under Christian Frederick's leadership, seized the opportunity for self-determination. He rallied the Norwegian elite, rejected the Treaty of Kiel, and convened a constitutional assembly at Eidsvoll. On 17 May 1814, a liberal constitution, known as the Eidsvoll Constitution, was adopted, and Christian Frederick was unanimously elected King of Norway. His reign as King of Norway, however, was short-lived. Sweden, led by Crown Prince Charles John (formerly Marshal Bernadotte of France), invaded Norway in the summer of 1814 to enforce the Kiel Treaty. Faced with superior military force and fearing a prolonged war that could devastate Norway, Christian Frederick was compelled to abdicate on 10 October 1814. Norway subsequently entered a personal union with Sweden under the Convention of Moss, retaining its new constitution but acknowledging the Swedish monarch.

Reign as King of Denmark (1839-1848)

Upon the death of his cousin, King Frederick VI, on 3 December 1839, Christian Frederick finally ascended to the Danish throne, reigning as Christian VIII. His nine-year reign was characterized by a period of increasing political and social ferment within Denmark. Unlike Frederick VI, who had been a staunch absolutist, Christian VIII was initially seen as more liberal, having presided over the creation of Norway's liberal constitution. However, as King of Denmark, he proved reluctant to relinquish the absolute power held by the monarchy, despite growing demands for a free constitution and greater political freedoms.

• Constitutional Debates: Throughout his reign, there was persistent pressure from national-liberal movements, particularly from urban elites and intellectuals, for a constitutional monarchy. Christian VIII, while allowing for some administrative reforms and limited consultative assemblies, resisted the fundamental shift away from absolutism.
• The Schleswig-Holstein Question: This complex territorial dispute, involving the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, which were part of the Danish realm but had strong German nationalist sentiments, intensified during his rule. His attempts to integrate Schleswig more closely with Denmark, especially through open letters, further exacerbated tensions with German nationalists and ultimately contributed to the First Schleswig War (1848-1851) shortly after his death.
• Cultural and Scientific Patronage: Christian VIII had a keen interest in natural history and was a patron of the arts and sciences. He supported scientific expeditions and established the National Museum of Denmark, contributing significantly to Danish cultural life.

Christian VIII passed away on 20 January 1848, just weeks before the revolutionary wave of 1848 swept across Europe, leading to significant political changes in Denmark, including the abolition of absolute monarchy and the introduction of a free constitution by his successor, Frederick VII.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christian VIII

Who was Christian VIII of Denmark?

Christian VIII was the King of Denmark from 1839 to 1848. He also briefly served as King of Norway in 1814 under his birth name, Christian Frederick, during Norway's short-lived bid for independence.

What was Christian VIII's role in Norwegian history?

In 1814, as Danish governor-general, Christian Frederick led the Norwegian independence movement, convened the Eidsvoll Assembly, and was elected King of Norway, overseeing the creation of its liberal constitution. He was forced to abdicate later that year following a Swedish invasion, leading to Norway's union with Sweden.

Why was Christian VIII considered heir presumptive to the Danish throne from 1808?

He became heir presumptive because his cousin, King Frederick VI, had no surviving male heirs. Under the Royal Law (Kongeloven) governing Danish succession, Christian Frederick was the closest male relative in the line of succession.

What characterized Christian VIII's reign as King of Denmark?

His reign (1839-1848) was marked by growing liberal movements advocating for a free constitution, which he largely resisted, maintaining absolute rule. It was also a period of escalating tensions over the Schleswig-Holstein question, which contributed to later conflict.