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{{Short description|Governor of Tranquebar from 1716 to 1720}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Christen Brun-Lundegaard
| order = 19th
| monarch = [[Frederick IV of Denmark|Frederick IV]]
| country = [[Denmark–Norway]]
| predecessor = [[Johan Sigismund Hassius]]
| successor = [[Ulrik Christian Nissen]]
| birth_date = Unknown
| birth_place = Denmark–Norway
| death_date = 24 January 1724
| death_place = [[Tranquebar]], Danish India
| office = Governor of Tranquebar
| term_start = 20 October 1716
| term_end = 21 January 1720
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Wibeke Chrislensdatter Berg|July 5, 1714|1723|end=d.}}|{{marriage|Utilia Elisabeth Rafn|November 29, 1723}}}}
}}'''Christen Brun-Lundegaard'''{{Efn|{{IPA|da|kʁɛsdən bʁu:n lɔndəgɒ}}}} (alternatively spelled '''Christian''' and '''Bruun'''; {{Died in|24 January 1724}}) was a Danish colonial official and [[governor of Tranquebar]] from 20 October 1716 to 21 January 1720.

Brun-Lundegaard started as an assistant of the [[Danish East India Company]] in the Danish colony of [[Tranquebar]]. In 1707, he came to [[Bengal]] as an accountant ({{Lang|da|revideur}}), but returned to Tranquebar the following year. Upon returning, Brun-Lundegaard advanced as treasurer and subaccountant ({{Langx|da|underbogholder|label=none}}) in 1708 and became chief accountant (''{{Langx|da|overbogholder|label=none}}'') in 1711.

Continuing in 1714, he became {{Lang|da|sekonde}} (second-in-command) of the colony's [[Privy council|Privy Council]] ({{Lang|da|secrete råd}}) and was appointed governor of Tranquebar in 1716, following the dismissal of Governor [[Johan Sigismund Hassius]]. During his tenure, the previous Danish [[Factory (trading post)|factory]] in Bengal, [[Dannemarksnagore]], was reestablished, while the relationship with the [[Danish-Halle Mission]] improved. Despite this, Brun-Lundegaard resigned as governor in 1720 in favor of [[Ulrik Christian Nissen]].

Brun-Lundegaard died on 24 January 1724 in Tranquebar after a long illness.

== Early career ==
Christen Brun-Lundegaard began his career in the [[Danish East India Company]] as an assistant in the Danish colony of [[Tranquebar]]. In 1703, he undertook a voyage to [[Malacca City|Malacca]] as a ship’s assistant aboard the vessel, ''Printz Christian''. By order of the company management, he was appointed secretary to the colony's [[privy council|Privy Council]] ({{Lang|da|secrete råd}}) on 1 July 1704. In the same year, he was accused of irregularities during the previous voyage to Malacca, but was acquitted by the court.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}}

On 20 July 1707, Brun-Lundegaard was sent with the [[Yacht|yachts]] ''Gyldenløve'' and ''Fortuna'' to the Danish [[Factory (trading post)|factory]],{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}} [[Dannemarksnagore]], in [[Bengal]], as an accountant ({{Lang|da|revideur}}) for the current officials and as a [[commissioner]].{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|pp=54, 96}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=25}} He arrived at the factory in August 1707, bringing money and resources to the colony{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=25}} and began his work, negotiating with the factory's and earlier governor, [[Johan Joachim Michelsen]]'s, creditors and confiscating the latter's belongings.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=96}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=25}} As such, Michelsen's creditors were mostly repaid,{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=96}} while Brun-Lundegaard developed the colony's trade{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=25}} so that when he departed again in February 1708, he had left behind money sufficient for one year to the governor, [[Jacob Panck]].{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=96}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=25}} Simultaneously, he brought [[saltpeter]], silk, and textiles with him back to Tranquebar,{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=96}} which he returned to on 14 March 1708.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}} Upon returning, he was installed as lower merchant ({{Langx|da|underkøbmand|label=none}}) and became both treasurer and subaccountant ({{Langx|da|underbogholder|label=none}}) on 8 October and 27 October 1708, respectively.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}}

Brun-Lundegaard is described as having been a diligent, capable, and trusted man.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|pp=54–55}} Consequently, as the colony needed his capabilities as subaccountant, his multiple requests for permission to repatriate were rejected.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}} When his request for an increased salary was also rejected, he applied on 9 October 1710 in a more determined manner for permission to return home, but was persuaded to stay as he was promised career advancement. Subsequently, he became chief accountant (''{{Langx|da|overbogholder|label=none}}'') and third-in-command of the Privy Council on 12 May 1711, and as he had served the Company for 15 years, he received an increase in his salary. Furthermore, he advanced to {{Lang|da|sekonde}} (second-in-command) of the Privy Council at the end of 1714, likely due to the [[governor of Tranquebar]], [[Johan Sigismund Hassius]]'s, favor.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}}

== Governor of Tranquebar ==
After Johan Sigismund Hassius's dismissal as governor, he installed Brun-Lundegaard as [[Provisional government|Interim Governor]] of Tranquebar on 20 October 1716 with large ceremonies.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54, 72}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=65}} In a letter dated 19 October, Brun-Lundegaard thanked the {{Abbr|D.E.I.C.|Danish East India Company}} for the appointment but described himself as a weak and meek man and instead applied for a replacement. Again in 1718, he applied for a replacement, but had to wait another two years. Meanwhile, there was a severe shortage of money in the colony, and it had to borrow 6,000 [[Pagoda (coin)|pagodas]] from the [[Madras Presidency|English at Madras]] and another 5,000 [[Danish rigsdaler]] from a local [[magnate]].{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}} In 1720, a Danish ship, the ''Jomfru Susanne'', finally reached Tranquebar,{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}} along with the ''[[hofjunker]]'' (a young nobleman who serves in the court) and new ''[[Opperhoofd|opperhoved]]'', [[Ulrik Christian Nissen]].{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=65}} Subsequently, Brun-Lundegaard resigned on 2 January 1720 and instead became the vice governor and chief merchant ({{Langx|da|overkøbmand|label=none}}).{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=65}}

=== Reestablishment of Dannemarksnagore ===
In 1716,{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=28}} Tranquebar was visited by a Bengali envoy, named Chandusi, who offered to return Dannemarksnagore,{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=65}}{{Sfn|Diller|1999}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=28}} which had been conquered by the Mughals in 1714,{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=64}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|pp=19, 72}}{{Sfn|Diller|1999}} in return for the Bengali vessel, ''Fatteromany'',{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=65}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=28}} which had previously been captured by the Danes.{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=64}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=40}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=27}} After long negotiations, the former lodge was ceded back to the D.E.I.C. in 1718,{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=65}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=28}} and in September the same year,{{Sfn|Diller|1999}} a new governor, [[Gallus Bøgvad]], was sent to the lodge to try to recreate the former conditions, but to no avail.{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=65}}{{Sfn|Diller|1999}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1908|p=28}}

=== Relationship with missionaries ===
{{Further|Tranquebar Mission|New Jerusalem Church, Tranquebar}}In contrast to Governor Hassius, Brun-Lundegaard has been considered by later literature to have been friendly to the Lutheran [[Danish-Halle Mission]].{{Sfn|Grane|Lausten|p=100|Stenbæk|1977}}{{Sfn|Sweetman|Ilakkuvan|p=6|2012}} Evidently, Brun-Lundegaard laid the [[foundation stone]] of the [[New Jerusalem Church, Tranquebar|New Jerusalem Church]] in Tranquebar on 9 February 1717{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=65}}{{Sfn|Jeyaraj|2006|p=111, 152}}{{Sfn|Kryger|2006|p=252}} and assisted in gathering resources and a suitable location for the building.{{Sfn|Grane|Lausten|p=101|Stenbæk|1977}}{{Efn|Brun-Lundegaard and many other citizens contributed money towards the church constructions, and transportation of materials was permitted without any [[customs duties]].{{Sfn|Jeyaraj|2006|p=153}} As for the location, Brun-Lundegaard was careful not to offend the missionaries and sold them land for 100 Danish rigsdaler{{Sfn|Jeyaraj|2006|p=110}} in the wealthy European city district.{{Sfn|Grane|Lausten|p=101|Stenbæk|1977}}}} In return, the missionaries arranged a sort of throne as a special place for the governor inside the church.{{Sfn|Grane|Lausten|p=101|Stenbæk|1977}} Additionally, Brun-Lundegaard [[Gun salute|saluted]] from [[Fort Dansborg]] at the consecration of the building{{Sfn|Grane|Lausten|p=101|Stenbæk|1977}} and donated a [[Commemorative plaque|plaque]] to be built into the wall of the church with the inscription:{{Sfn|Jeyaraj|2006|p=153}}
[[File:Foundation Stone in Danish (1717), New Jerusalem Church, Tranquebar.JPG|thumb|200x200px|The [[Commemorative plaque|plaque]] donated by Christen Brun-Lundegaard to the [[New Jerusalem Church, Tranquebar|New Jerusalem Church]] in 1717]]
{{Blockquote|text=Psalm 122:6: Wish Jerusalem [Church] the best! May they prosper who love you! In the Name of the Lord Zebaoth, Governor Christian Brun laid the first foundation stone for the building known as the New Jerusalem Church.
February 9, 1717.}}
However, according to Danish priest and historian Anders Nørgaard, there were no major differences between Governor Hassius and Brun-Lundegaard,{{Sfn|Grane|Lausten|p=103|Stenbæk|1977}}{{Sfn|Jeyaraj|2006|p=109}} and Brun-Lundegaard is even said to have been against the Mission.{{Sfn|Nørgaard|2006|p=185}} Moreover, there is no personal friendship between Brun-Lundegaard and the missionaries, although they met when it was necessary, and showed each other goodwill.{{Sfn|Grane|Lausten|p=102|Stenbæk|1977}}

Instead, the change in relations between the local administration and the mission was caused by a new compromise reached in Denmark between the mission's inspectorate and the D.E.I.C. management.{{Sfn|Hermansen|2003|p=213}}{{Sfn|Nørgaard|2006|p=185}} According to the new compromise, the colonial administration was to function as the mission's authority, rather than being a private cause of [[Frederick IV of Denmark|King Frederick IV]].{{Sfn|Grane|Lausten|p=102|Stenbæk|1977}}{{Sfn|Hermansen|2003|p=213}} Meanwhile, the administration was thereby also obliged to subsidize the mission under its authority.{{Sfn|Grane|Lausten|p=101|Stenbæk|1977}}{{Sfn|Hermansen|2003|p=214}} Subsequently, the years following the compromise were a heyday for the mission,{{Sfn|Gregersen|2018}} and there are no reports of problems between the mission and Governor Brun-Lundegaard.{{Sfn|Grane|Lausten|p=100|Stenbæk|1977}}

== Personal and later life ==
Brun-Lundegaard was married twice: first to Wibeke Christensdatter Berg{{Sfn|Dahl|1933|p=76}} on 5 July 1714, and second to Utilia Elisabeth on 29 November 1723,{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}} after Wibeke Christensdatter's death in the same year.{{Sfn|Dahl|1933|p=76}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|pp=54–55}} Utilia Elisabeth was the widow of the former leader of the Danish-Halle Mission, {{Interlanguage link|Johann Ernst Gründler|de}}.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=54}}

Brun-Lundegaard died on 24 January 1724 in Tranquebar{{Sfn|Dahl|1933|p=76}} after a long illness, leaving no children.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=55}}

== See also ==

* {{Annotated link|Eskild Andersen Kongsbakke}}
* {{Annotated link|Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg}}
* {{Annotated link|Mikkel Knudsen Crone}}

== Notes and references ==

=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}

=== References ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Works cited ===
{{refbegin|2}}
* {{Cite book |last=Larsen |first=Kay |author-link=Kay Larsen |url=https://slaegtsbibliotek.dk/922667.pdf |title=Guvernører, Residenter, Kommandanter og Chefer |publisher=Arthur Jensens Forlag |year=1940 |location=Copenhagen |language=Danish |trans-title=Governors, Residents, Commanders and Chiefs}}
* {{Cite book |last=Larsen |first=Kay |title=De dansk-ostindiske Koloniers Historie |publisher=Centralforlaget |year=1907 |location=Copenhagen |language=Danish |trans-title=History of the Danish East Indian Colonies}}
* {{Cite book |last=Larsen |first=Kay |title=De dansk-ostindiske koloniers historie – De Bengalske loger & Nikobarerne |publisher=Centralforlaget & Peter Hansens Forlag |year=1908 |volume=2 |location=Copenhagen |language=Danish |trans-title=History of the Danish East Indian Colonies – The Bengali lodges & the Nicobar Islands}}
* {{Cite book |last=Diller |first=Stephan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2zvvSpaWcTIC&q=brun&pg=PA216 |title=Die Dänen in Indien, Südostasien und China (1620-1845) |date=1999 |publisher=[[Harrassowitz Verlag]] |isbn=978-3-447-04123-2 |pages=221 |language=de |trans-title=The Danes in India, Southeast Asia and China (1620-1845)}}
* {{Cite book |last=Grane |first=Leif |author-link=:da:Leif Grane |url=https://www.ronlev.dk/bibliotek/3639.pdf |title=Kirkehistoriske Samlinger 1977 |last2=Lausten |first2=Martin Schwarz |author-link2=:da:Martin Schwarz Lausten |last3=Stenbæk |first3=Jørgen |collaboration=Nørgaard, Anders |publisher=Akademisk Forlag |others=Digitalized by Claus Rønlev |year=1977 |isbn=87-500-1784-5 |series=Kirkehistoriske Samlinger |location=Copenhagen |language=Danish |trans-title=Church historical collections |chapter=Tranquebarmissionens tidlige historie |trans-chapter=The Tranquebar Mission's early History}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Sweetman |first1=Will |author-link=:d:Will Sweetman |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312041849 |title=Bibliotheca Malabarica |last2=Ilakkuvan |first2=R. |date=1 April 2012 |publisher=Institut Français de Pondichéry |isbn=9791036544279 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Jeyaraj |first=Daniel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CZYAOyJ-6SMC |title=Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg, the Father of Modern Protestant Mission |publisher=Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge & Gurukul Lutheran Theological College |year=2006 |isbn=81-7214-920-4 |location=Chennai |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Hermansen |first=Karsten |url=https://findresearcher.sdu.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/277177340/Afhandlinger_8_hermansen_pdf_1_.pdf |title=Kirken, kongen og enevælden |publisher=[[University of Southern Denmark]] |year=2003 |language=Danish |trans-title=Church, King, and Absolutism}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gregersen |first=Hans |author-link=:da:Hans Gregersen (forfatter) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JDZnDwAAQBAJ |title=Trankebar |publisher=Lindhardt & Ringhof |year=2018 |isbn=9788711978337 |language=danish |trans-title=Tranquebar}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dahl |first=Aage |url=https://slaegtsbibliotek.dk/909818.pdf |title=Haderslevs bys præstehistorie |publisher=O. Lohse |year=1933 |series=Den Sønderjydske Gejstligheds Historie og Genealogi |location=Copenhagen |language=Danish |trans-title=History of Haderslev town}}
* {{Cite encyclopedia |title=The Churches of Tranquebar in the Danish Period 1620-1845 |encyclopedia=Halle and the Beginning of Protestant Christianity in India |publisher=[[Francke Foundations]] |location=Halle, Germany |date=2006 |editor-last=Gross |editor-first=Andreas |volume=1-3 |pages=238 |isbn=3-931479-84-6 |editor-last2=Kumaradoss |editor-first2=Yesurajamony |editor-last3=Liebau |editor-first3=Heike}}
** {{harvc|last=Nørgaard|first=Anders|year=2006|in=Gross|in2=Kumaradoss|in3=Liebau|c=The Mission's Relationship to the Danes}}
** {{harvc|last=Kryger|first=Karin|year=2006|in=Gross|in2=Kumaradoss|in3=Liebau|c=The Churches of Tranquebar in the Danish Period 1620-1845}}
{{refend}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brun-Lundegaard, Christen}}
[[Category:1648 births]]
[[Category:1724 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Danish India]]
[[Category:Tranquebar]]
[[Category:Governors of Danish India]]

Christen Brun-Lundegaard - Revision history

Bishnoiseries at 18:07, 24 April 2026