Christopher I of Baden (13 November 1453 – 19 April 1527) was the Margrave of Baden from 1475 to 1515.

Life

Christopher was the eldest son of Charles I, Margrave of Baden-Baden and Catherine of Austria, a sister of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor. Christopher regained the territories that were lost by his father to the Palatinate and its allies. He maneuvered to keep these territories united under his son and successor Philip I, but his efforts were thwarted by Louis XII of France. In 1479, the seat of the Margraviate of Baden was moved from Hohenbaden Castle to New Castle (Neues Schloss) of Baden-Baden which was built by him. In 1489 Christopher became a member of the Swabian League. This was part of his efforts for peaceful coexistence with his neighbors (in particular with Württemberg and the cities of Weil and Strasbourg). Within the protection of this South West German pact, Christopher advanced the internal development of his dominion. Christopher's winegrowing law of 1495 was a major step in improving the quality of wine produced in Baden. His wife Ottilie was from a famous wine-making family in the Kraichgau, the Counts of Katzenelnbogen. By 1503, Christopher was responsible for uniting all the Badener lands when the Baden-Sausenberg died without male heirs. In 1515, before his death, he divided the Margraviate among his sons Philipp, Bernhard, and Ernst. However, Philipp who had succeeded him died childless, and his share was passed down to his brothers Bernhard and Ernst. Thus, Bernhard founded the so-called "Bernardine line" of Baden-Baden and Ernst founded the "Ernestine line" of Baden-Durlach.

Family and children

Margrave Christopher married on 30 January 1469 Ottilie of Katzenelnbogen (ca. 1451 – 15 August 1517), a granddaughter of Philipp I, Count of Katzenelnbogen. They had the following children:

Ancestors

Sources