Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp

Adolf of Denmark
Duke Adolf in cuirass, painting by an unknown author, 1586.
Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
Reign1544–1586
PredecessorChristian III of Denmark
SuccessorFrederick II of Holstein-Gottorp
Frederick II of Denmark and Norway
Born25 January 1526
Died1 October 1586(1586-10-01) (aged 60)
SpouseChristine of Hesse
IssueFrederick II, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
Sophia, Duchess of Mecklenburg
Philip, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
Christine, Queen of Sweden
Elisabeth
Johann Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
Anna, Countess of East Frisia
Bishop John Frederick
FatherFrederick I of Denmark
MotherSophie of Pomerania
Arms of Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, KG

Adolf of Denmark or Adolf of Holstein-Gottorp (25 January 1526 –1 October 1586) was the first Duke of Holstein-Gottorp from the line of Holstein-Gottorp of the House of Oldenburg.

He was the third son of King Frederick I of Denmark and his second wife, Sophie of Pomerania. King Frederick I had his son educated by Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. He spent four years at the Landgrave's castle in Kassel.

In 1544, Adolf, his brother Johann, and their half-brother King Christian III of Denmark, divided the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. The areas were divided according to approximately equal tax proceeds. Adolf, as the youngest, was entitled to the first choice. Since he selected the part with the castle Gottorp, the line of the house Oldenburg created by him was called Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp.