In exile Christian led a humble life in the city of Lier in the Netherlands, waiting for military help from his brother-in-law Charles V. Christian corresponded with Martin Luther and he became a Lutheran for some time; he even commissioned a translation of the New Testament into Danish.
Isabella died in January 1526, and Christian's children were taken by her family so as not to be raised as heretics.
 Popular agitation against Fredrick I in Denmark centered on Søren Norby, who gathered an army of peasants in Scania, but was defeated in 1525.

By 1531, Christian had reverted to Catholicism and reconciled with the Emperor.
He took a fleet to Norway, and landed in Oslo to popular acclaim in November 1531.
 Christian failed to subdue the fortresses of northern Norway, however, and accepted a promise of safe conduct from Fredrick I. 
Frederick did not keep his promise, and Christian was kept prisoner for the next 27 years, first in Sønderborg Castle until 1549, and afterwards at the castle of Kalundborg.
Stories of solitary confinement in small dark chambers are inaccurate; King Christian was treated like a nobleman, particularly in his old age, and he was allowed to host parties, go hunting, and wander freely as long as he did not go beyond the Kalundborg town boundaries.

Fredrick I died in April 1533, and the Danish Council of State was at first unable to choose a successor.
 The mayor of Lübeck, Jürgen Wullenwever, took advantage of the resulting interregnum to conspire for the restoration of Christian II to the throne of Denmark.
 He formed an alliance with two prominent nobles, Ambrosius Bogbinder and Jørgen Kock, mayor of Malmö.
 With Christopher, Count of Oldenburg as his military commander he succeeded in seizing Scania and Zeeland in the name of Christian II in a conflict known as the Count's Feud.
 However, Fredrick's eldest son, also named Christian, raised an army in Holstein which, lead by Johann Rantzau, took in turn Holstein, Jutland and Zeeland in a series of brilliant military manoeuvers.
 He formed an alliance with Gustav Vasa, who subdued Scania, and took the throne as Christian III of Denmark.
 Christian II remained in prison in Kalundborg.

Christian II died in January 1559, a few days after Christian III.
The new king, Frederick II, ordered that a royal funeral be held in his memory.
 He is buried in Odense next to his wife, parents, and son John, who died in the summer of 1532.
In exile Christian led a humble life in the city of Lier in the Netherlands, waiting for military help from his brother-in-law Charles V. Christian corresponded with Martin Luther and he became a Lutheran for some time; he even commissioned a translation of the New Testament into Danish. Isabella died in January 1526, and Christian's children were taken by her family so as not to be raised as heretics.  Popular agitation against Fredrick I in Denmark centered on Søren Norby, who gathered an army of peasants in Scania, but was defeated in 1525.
By 1531, Christian had reverted to Catholicism and reconciled with the Emperor. He took a fleet to Norway, and landed in Oslo to popular acclaim in November 1531.  Christian failed to subdue the fortresses of northern Norway, however, and accepted a promise of safe conduct from Fredrick I. 
Frederick did not keep his promise, and Christian was kept prisoner for the next 27 years, first in Sønderborg Castle until 1549, and afterwards at the castle of Kalundborg. Stories of solitary confinement in small dark chambers are inaccurate; King Christian was treated like a nobleman, particularly in his old age, and he was allowed to host parties, go hunting, and wander freely as long as he did not go beyond the Kalundborg town boundaries.
Fredrick I died in April 1533, and the Danish Council of State was at first unable to choose a successor.  The mayor of Lübeck, Jürgen Wullenwever, took advantage of the resulting interregnum to conspire for the restoration of Christian II to the throne of Denmark.  He formed an alliance with two prominent nobles, Ambrosius Bogbinder and Jørgen Kock, mayor of Malmö.  With Christopher, Count of Oldenburg as his military commander he succeeded in seizing Scania and Zeeland in the name of Christian II in a conflict known as the Count's Feud.  However, Fredrick's eldest son, also named Christian, raised an army in Holstein which, lead by Johann Rantzau, took in turn Holstein, Jutland and Zeeland in a series of brilliant military manoeuvers.  He formed an alliance with Gustav Vasa, who subdued Scania, and took the throne as Christian III of Denmark.  Christian II remained in prison in Kalundborg.
Christian II died in January 1559, a few days after Christian III. The new king, Frederick II, ordered that a royal funeral be held in his memory.  He is buried in Odense next to his wife, parents, and son John, who died in the summer of 1532.
Christian II of Denmark