Early life When Christopher II came of age in 1556, he renounced his right to a part of Baden-Baden to his older brother
Philibert in exchange for an annual allowance of 4000 guilders. He also received
Rodemachern as an
apanage, making him the founder of the elder Baden-Rodemachern line.
Extensive excursions He started travelling excessively. From 1557 to 1561, he was in the
Netherlands, where he joined the campaigns of the Spanish Army. He went to Sweden in 1564, where he married a sister of King
Eric XIV of Sweden. He then returned to Rodemachern, where he built himself a palace and led a wasteful life. In 1565, he travelled to London, where Queen
Elizabeth I received him honorably. However, he heaped debt upon debt and when he tried to leave in 1566, he found he couldn't leave the country until the Queen had provided surety. Also in 1566, he inherited the Lordships of
Useldange,
Pettingen and
Roußzy. He continued to spend too much, and his country suffered from religious unrest. His debts mounted. He went to
Sweden, where he served in the army and fought against
Denmark. His brother-in-law King
John III of Sweden enfeoffed him with the island of
Ösel.
Death After several years in Sweden, he returned to Rodemachern, where he died in 1575. He was succeeded by his son
Edward Fortunatus who was a minor at the time. == Marriage and issue ==