Editing Frederick III of Denmark (section)

== Early years ==
[[File:Duke-frederick-later-king-frederickofdenmark.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Duke Frederick, painting by [[Pieter Isaacsz]] ]]
[[File:Porträtt, Frederik III och Sofia Amalia - Skoklosters slott - 85014.tif|thumb|300px|left|Double portrait of Frederik III of Denmark and his wife Sofia Amalia of Braunschweig-Lyneburg, probably painted shortly after their marriage 1643.]]
Frederick was born at [[Haderslev]] in [[Duchy of Schleswig|Slesvig]], the son of [[Christian IV of Denmark|Christian IV]] and [[Anne Catherine of Brandenburg]]. In his youth and early manhood, there was no prospect of his ascending the Danish-Norwegian throne, as his older brother Christian was elected [[heir apparent]] of Denmark in 1608, and was proclaimed as heir apparent of Norway in 1610.

During his early childhood, he was raised under the supervision of [[Beate Huitfeldt]]. Frederick was educated at [[Sorø Academy]] and studied in the [[Netherlands]] and [[France]]. As a young man, he demonstrated an interest in [[theology]], [[natural science]]s, and [[History of Scandinavia|Scandinavian history]].<ref name="gyldendal">[http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_historie/Danmark_1536-1849/Frederik_3 "Frederik 3"] at Gyldendals Åbne Encyklopædi</ref> He was a reserved and enigmatic prince who seldom laughed, spoke little, and wrote less, a striking contrast to Christian IV. Even though he lacked the impulsive and jovial qualities of his father, Frederick possessed the compensating virtues of moderation and self-control. On 1 October 1643 Frederick wed [[Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg]], the daughter of [[George, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg]], who had an energetic, passionate, and ambitious character.<ref name="Britannica" /> He was an enthusiastic collector of books and his collection became the foundation for the [[Royal Library, Copenhagen|Copenhagen Royal Library]].<ref name="gyldendal" />

=== Early offices ===
In his youth, Frederick became the instrument of his father's political schemes in the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. He was granted [[Diocesan administrator#Administrators of prince-bishoprics|administration]] of the [[Archdiocese of Bremen|Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen]] (1635–45), the [[Prince-Bishopric of Verden]] (1623–29 and again 1634–44), and named coadjutor of the [[Bishopric of Halberstadt]]. Thus, from an early age, he had considerable experience as an administrator.<ref name="Britannica" /> At the age of eighteen, he was the chief commandant of the Bremian fortress of [[Stade]]. During the [[Torstenson War]] of 1643–45, Frederick lost control of his possessions within the empire.<ref name="gyldendal" /> He was then appointed commander in the royal shares in the Duchies of [[Schleswig]] and [[Holstein]] by his father. His command was not successful, chiefly owing to his quarrels with the Earl-Marshal [[Anders Bille]], who commanded the Danish forces. This was Frederick's first collision with the Danish [[nobility]], who afterwards regarded him with extreme distrust.<ref name="Britannica">{{Cite EB1911 |last=Bain |first=Robert Nisbet |author-link=Robert Nisbet Bain |wstitle=Frederick III. of Denmark and Norway| volume = 11|pages = 51–52 }}</ref>