Editing Christian II of Denmark (section)

==Legal reforms and downfall==
In June 1521, the Danish king paid a visit to [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] in the [[Netherlands]], where he remained for some months. He visited most of the large cities, made the personal acquaintance of [[Quentin Matsys]] and [[Albrecht Dürer]], and met [[Erasmus]], with whom he discussed the [[Protestant Reformation]].{{sfn|Bain|1911|p=275}}  Directly upon his return to Denmark in September 1521 Christian issued two bodies of laws – the Town Law and the Land Law – which governed respectively trade and the behaviour of the clergy.  The Town Law strengthened the rights of tradesmen and peasants at the expense of the nobility.  Trade was reorganised and was to be conducted solely through market towns, which were to be governed by officials appointed by the king.  Trading in peasants was forbidden, and peasants were given the right to negotiate the terms of their tenure with the nobility.  The Land Law permitted clergy to marry, and gave some control of the church over to the state.  The new laws were radical, progressive, and perceived by the nobility and bishops as an existential threat.{{sfn|Lockhart|2007|pp=17–18}}

By 1522, Christian was running out of allies.  In an attempt to set up a Danish-centered trading company in direct competition with the [[Hanseatic League]], Christian had raised the sound tolls, which affected trade between Sweden and the Hanseatic towns.{{sfn|Lockhart|2007|pp=14,18}}  As a consequence, [[Lübeck]] and [[Danzig]] joined the newly independent Sweden in war against Denmark.  Domestic rebellion against Christian started in [[Jutland]].  On 20 January 1523, the ''herredag'' at [[Viborg, Denmark|Viborg]] offered the Danish crown to Christian's uncle, Duke [[Frederick I of Denmark|Frederick of Holstein]].  Frederick's army gained control over most of Denmark during the spring, and in April 1523 Christian left Denmark to seek help abroad. On 1 May, he landed at [[Veere]] in [[Zeeland]].{{sfn|Lockhart|2007|pp=18–19}}{{sfn|Bain|1911|p=276}}