The Regency of Struensee

Johann Friedrich Struensee took over as the real ruler of Denmark after Bernstorff was dismissed. Originally a German physician, Struensee came to know the Danish king when he was named to accompany the mentally unstable Christian VII on a European tour (1768-69), a post that led to Struensee's appointment as court physician in 1769. Dominating the king, he became the lover of Queen Caroline Matilda in 1770. He was soon able to abolish the council of state and the office of statholder (governor) of Norway in 1770. In June 1771 he had the king name him privy Cabinet minister, and in July he was made a count. From March 1771 until January 1772 Struensee introduced a number of reforms, including freedom of the press, reduction of peasant labor service, a unitary judiciary, and reform of Copenhagen's municipal government. Having alienated many officials, however, he was the victim of a conspiracy in January 1772, when he was arrested and tortured to death for his liaison with the queen.