Christian, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Ærø

Who is Christian, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Ærø?

Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Ærø was the first and only partitioned-off duke of Ærø. As a partitioned-off duke, he did not have sovereignty.

He was the eldest son of Duke John II and at his father's death, he inherited the island of Ærø. His father had combined the small farms on the island into three manors: Gråsten, Søbygård, and Gudsgave. In 1624, Christian created Voderup manoron land he had purchased from the church.

Christian had intended to become Bishop of Strasbourg; however this did not happen. He was a Protestant, but was nevertheless canon of the cathedral chapter of Strasbourg from 1587 to 1604. The Catholic chapter continued to pay him the salary of an unmarried priest until c. 1619.

Christian and his housekeeper Katharina Griebel had a daughter: Sophie Griebel. To provide for her, he gave her two large houses in 1629, one in Ærøskøbing and the other on the island of Dejrø. She was also exempt from paying any taxes. After Christian's death, Katharina married his administrator, Peder Christensen Pilegaard, who then settled in Ærøskøbing as a merchant.

After Christian's death, his inheritance was divided by his four surviving brothers: