Christopher III of Bavaria

Christopher III of Bavaria (1418-1448) was a ruler of the Kalmar Union. He was King of Norway (including Shetland) between 1442-1448. He succeeded his deposed uncle Erik of Pomerania, who later made an abortive attempt to regain the throne(s) after Christopher’s death.

Christopher’s rule strengthened the Kalmar Union, and he made concessions to the Hanseatic League, which would have great economic importance to Shetland for centuries after. These concessions were opposed by Danish merchants who had established themselves in many parts of the realms under Erik, and saw them as threatening their interests. Norway came increasingly under the control of Denmark under his rule. He died childless.