Gyldenløve

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Gyldenløve (English, "Golden Lion") is an important surname in Danish and Norwegian history. The first Gyldenløve were a family of Norwegian high nobility in the end of Middle Ages, actually not using a surname, but having the golden lion depicted in their escutcheon. A century later Gyldenløve became a name given to illegitimate, but recognized, children of the Danish royal family, as was Gyldenstjerne ("Golden Star") in earlier generations.

[edit] Medieval Norwegian family

So-called Nils Henrikssons slekt, based on its escutcheon figure, has later been given that surname in genealogy and historiography, although only the last female members of the family ever at most used that as surname. The lion figure is believed to have signified their descent from the royal dynasty. The family's most prominent member was Nils Henriksson (died 1523), Lord High Steward of Norway, who was married with the famed lady Inger Ottesdottir Rømer, heiress of Austraat. The couple had only surviving daughters. All other agnatic lines of the old family are presumed extinct already before them. The last male was Nils' bastard's son Christoffer Henriksson Gyldenløve. Escutcheon and family is presented in Hallvard Trætteberg: Norges våbenmerker (Oslo 1933)

[edit] Bastards of Dano-Norwegian kings

The name Gyldenløve was given to the illegitimate sons of three kings of Denmark:

Christian IV of Denmark had many illegitimate children by various mothers. Three of his illegitimate sons were publicly acknowledged and received the surname Gyldenløve:

Frederick III of Denmark fathered Ulrik Frederick (1638-1704) by Margrethe Pape; he was also acknowledged and received the surname Gyldenløve. He earned the respect of the Norwegian people when serving as Statholder there.

Christian V of Denmark fathered five children with Sophie Amalie Moth:

  • Christiane Gyldenløve (1672-1689)
  • Christian Gyldenløve (1674-1703)
  • Sophie Christiane Gyldenløve (1675-1684)
  • Anna Christiane Gyldenløve (1676-1689)
  • Ulrik Christian Gyldenløve (1678-1719), Count of Samsø. Not to be confused with the son of Christian IV.

[edit] References

  • A History of Norway by Karen Larson, Princeton University Press, 1948
  • The History of the Norwegian People by Knut Gjerset, MacMillan, 1915
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