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Christian VII of Denmark

Christiansborg Palace, 29 Jan 1749 – Rendsburg, 13 Mar 1808

11 facts2 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born29 Jan 1749, Christiansborg Palacenot verified1 source
  • MarriedCaroline Matilda of Great Britainnot verified1 source
  • TitleMonarch of Denmark, 1766–1808or Monarch of Norway, 1766–1808not verified1 source
  • TitleMonarch of Norway, 1766–1808or Monarch of Denmark, 1766–1808not verified1 source
  • Died13 Mar 1808, Rendsburgnot verified1 source
  • MotherLouise of Great Britainnot verified1 source
  • FatherFrederick V of Denmarknot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 29 Jan 1749

    Born in Christiansborg Palace

  2. 1766–1808

    Monarch of Denmark

  3. 1766–1808

    Monarch of Norway

  4. 1768–1771

    2 children are born

  5. 13 Mar 1808

    Dies in Rendsburg, aged 59

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 2

During his lifetime

He lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Christiansborg Palace.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1740s · Christian VII is born in Christiansborg Palace

In the news1740–1752

1740s cattle plague destroys livestock numbers

Beginning in the mid-1740s, a devastating cattle plague killed between 300,000 and 400,000 animals by the time it subsided in 1752.

At the table

Clarifying coffee with fish skin

Coffee was boiled in copper kettles and sometimes clarified with a piece of dried flounder skin, as coffee filters did not exist.

What people wore

Neck scarf fashion for women

By the 1730s, a square neck scarf folded into a triangle became common, with ends tucked into the bodice or jacket front.

Getting around

Mail coach travel from Copenhagen to Roskilde

In the mid-18th century, a horse-drawn mail coach could travel from Copenhagen to Roskilde in 4 to 5 hours, covering the distance in one go, provided the roads were not muddy or prone to accidents.

What it cost

Grain prices in Berlin

In 1740, a bushel of rye in Berlin cost 1 thaler and 21 groschen due to a bad harvest, though prices typically stabilized between 19 and 20 groschen until the Seven Years' War. At the time, one thaler was equal to 24 groschen.

Music

Wedding Music and Musician Payments

Wedding musicians played 'over table' during meals and were often paid 3 to 6 marks by guests at the end of the feast.

Daily life

Naval school pay in rye

At the Nyboder naval housing, school was integrated into naval service, and part of the boys' pay was 4.5 kg of rye per month. Boys entered school at 6 years old and remained until confirmation, focusing on training for future work as sailors or specialists.