Christian III's election as King of Denmark and Norway in the town of Rye marked a significant shift in governance and religious orientation for the two kingdoms. The backdrop to this pivotal election was a period of civil conflict marked by the power struggles among nobles and the growing influence of the Reformation. Christian III, a supporter of Lutheranism, positioned himself against opponents who favored Catholic traditions. His election came at a time when the Protestant Reformation was fomenting change across Europe, and these dynamics were mirrored in the Nordic countries.

Rye, a town situated on the eastern shore of Zealand, was a strategic choice for this event due to its political significance. The election was part of a broader movement within Denmark and Norway to consolidate power and establish a unified Protestant kingdom. Christian III's election was endorsed by a coalition of nobles who sought to establish a stronger centralized authority to counteract the fragmentation caused by ongoing conflicts, including the Count's War.

Following the election, Christian III would implement reforms that solidified the Lutheran church's influence, which led to the establishment of a state that combined both church and state under a single ecclesiastical authority. His reign would see the Danish church reformed according to Lutheran tenets, thereby altering the religious landscape of Scandinavia significantly. Christian III’s leadership was characterized by efforts to stabilize and strengthen Denmark and Norway following years of upheaval, which ultimately influenced the trajectory of the region for generations to come.