Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, Count of Laurvig
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Ulrik Frederick Gyldenløve, 1638-1704, was a Danish statesman.
He was the leading Norwegian general in the Scanian War, its Norway-related portion receiving its conventional name "the Gyldenløve War", from him.
In 1664 King Frederick IV of Denmark's illegitimate son, Ulrik Frederick Gyldenløve, was appointed Statholder in Norway. Gyldenløve possessed talent, will and energy, and became a worthy successor to Hannibal Sehested in that role. He studied conditions in Norway very carefully and became a strong advocate for many important reforms. Specific improvements which he championed include:
- simplified taxation
- valuation and registration of taxable property
- creation of a Norwegian fleet for defense
- creation of a string of Norwegian fortifications along the Swedish border
- creation of a Norwegian superior court with appeal directly to the king of Denmark
- revision of the "Code of Christian IV"
Gyldenløve was popular with the Norwegians. Gjerset quotes Deichman as saying, "The Norwegians regarded Gyldenløve as their patron saint, and they had a peculiar veneration for this lord, because of his excellent conduct, democratic spirit, brave leadership and gay life. He extended his protection to all, especially the common people, who he defended against seizures and unjust impositions... The bonder in the mountain districts addressed him 'thou Gyldenløve.'"
According to contemporary stories, he had an amorous relationship with count Peder Griffenfeld, soon-to-be leading minister of Denmark-Norway.
Count Ulrik Frederik married thrice. His two first marriages ended up in divorces.
Through his daughter countess Charlotte Amalie af Laurvigen, and her daughter Countess Frederikke Louise Danneskiold-Samsoe, count Ulrik Frederik became ancestor of Dukes of Augustenborg and thus for example of Frederick VIII, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein. As a historical irony, Ulrik Fredrik's only descendant who currently holds a royal throne, happens to be king Charles XVI Gustav of Sweden, the today nominal head of state over the provinces of Jämtland, Härjedalen, Båhus, Halland etc, which Ulrik Frederik tried to save from Swedish conquest.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- A History of Norway by Karen Larson, Princeton University Press, 1948
- The History of the Norwegian People by Knut Gjerset, MacMillan, 1915