Career
He was administrator of Ratzeburg and of the Commandery of Mirow. Christopher thus became the first Lutheran administrator of the Bishopric. In 1555, he was also elected coadjutor of Bishop William of Riga, with the right of succession.
His election was controversial and led to armed clashes.
During a clash on 1 July 1556 in Koknese, Christoper and William were both taken prisoner. They were released in 1557, and Christopher was recognized as coadjutor.
However, when William died in 1563, Christopher found himself unable to exercise his right of succession. Instead, he was taken prisoner again during renewed fighting against Poland.
He was released in 1569, after he had renounced all claims on Riga.
After his release, he returned to Mecklenburg. He died on 4 March 1592 and was buried in the northern chapel of the high choir of Schwerin Cathedral. His widow commissioned a grave monument, which shows a couple kneeling before a prie-dieu.
lieutenant was crafted in the workshop of the Flemish sculptor Robert Coppens, with assistance from the Pomeranian painter Georg Strachen.