Christian, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and Bishop of Halberstadt (1599-1626)

Christian, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1599-1626) by Michel Miereveldt (1567-1641). A head-and-shoulders portrait to right in armour and ruff, an orange scarf with silver embroidery covering his left shoulder and chest, a green armband round his right arm. Indistinctly signed and inscribed "AEtatis....". The third son of Henry Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Elizabeth of Denmark, sister of Anne of Denmark. He was the 'Administrator' of the secularized bishopric of Halsberstadt from 1616. Soldier and upholder of the cause of Frederick V of Bohemia, in the Thirty Years War, when he earned the sobriquet of 'der tolle Halberstädter' ['the Mad Halberstädter'] for his impetuosity (he lost two battles against Tilly), which was derived from his position as 'Administrator' of Halberstadt. He was a chivalrous champion of the Queen of Bohemia (he wore her glove, with the motto 'Pour Dieu et pour Elle', on his hat). He was a violent partisan of the Protestant cause in the 30 Years War. He was wounded at Fleurus on 29 August 1622; a few days later his arm was amputated. His defeat at Stadtlohn on 6 August 1623 was a disaster for the King of Bohemia's cause. After a brief interlude seeking support from James I in England in 1624/5: he was awarded the Garter in 1624, he died of disease, a broken man, after a failed expedition into Hesse in 1626.