Frederick I dies in 1533; the Viborg Assembly (Danish: landsting) proclaims his son, Duke Christian of Schleswig, King Christian III.

The State Council (Danish: Rigsråd) on Zealand, led by the Catholic bishops, takes control of the country and refuses to recognize the election of Christian III, a staunch Lutheran.

The regents fear Christian's zeal for Luther's ideas will tip the balance and disenfranchise Catholics—both peasants and nobles.

The State Council encourages Count Christopher of Oldenburg to become Regent of Denmark.

Christian III quickly raises an army to enforce his election, including mercenary troops from Germany.

Count Christopher raises an army (including troops from Mecklenburg and Oldenburg and the Hanseatic League, especially Lűbeck) to restore his Catholic uncle King Christian II (deposed in 1523).

This results in a three-year civil war called the Count's Feud (Danish: Grevens Fejde)