Dorothea - Pious Queen, Domineering Mother and Local Ruler

In the fourth episode of DR's "The Kingdom of Queens" second season, historian Carsten Porskrog Rasmussen from Museum Sønderjylland discussed Queen Dorothea, the wife of Christian III, who commissioned the construction of the castle chapel at Sønderborg Slot. On 8 October, he presents a lecture exploring the life and legacy of this remarkable queen in greater depth.

Religion was central to Dorothea's life and shaped her relationships with the court, her family, and her subjects. She was a strict and domineering mother who kept her children at home into adulthood. When her eldest sons eventually gained their freedom, they launched a youth rebellion that lasted the rest of her life. Her oldest son even refused to be present at her deathbed and married only after her death, despite her years of requests.

As a widow, Dorothea also ruled extensive territories, including the region around Sønderborg, which she governed with the same blend of severity and care she applied to her own family.

The lecture takes place on 8 October at Sønderborg Slot, where the queen also drew her last breath. Doors open 30 minutes before the start, and advance ticket purchase is recommended at www.msj.dk.