| Count Magnus Brahe | |
|---|---|
| Lord High Constable of Sweden | |
| In office 1602–1611 |
|
| Preceded by | Klas Fleming |
| Succeeded by | Axel Nilsson Ryning |
| Lord High Steward of Sweden | |
| In office 1611–1633 |
|
| Preceded by | Mauritz Stensson Leijonhufvud |
| Succeeded by | Gabriel Gustafsson Oxenstierna |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 25, 1564 Tynnelsö Palace, Sweden |
| Died | March 3, 1633 (aged 68) Stockholm, Sweden |
| Spouse(s) | Brita Stensdotter Leijonhufvud Helena Bielke |
| Children | Ebba Brahe |
| Residence | Makalös Palace, Stockholm, Sweden |
Count Magnus Brahe (1564-1633) was a Swedish noble. Being both Lord High Constable and Lord High Steward of Sweden, he was a notable figure in the 17th century Sweden.
Magnus Brahe, a son of Per Brahe the Elder and Beata Stenbock, was born at Tynnelsö Palace on September 25, 1564.[1] He became a chamberlain of King Sigismund in 1590. Four years later, he left Sigismund and started to support Duke Carl, who was an enemy of Sigismund and challenged the king for the throne. Brahe received various important assignments from Duke Carl, and eventually, in 1602, Brahe became Lord High Constable (Swedish: riksmarsk) and a member of the Swedish Privy Council. Magnus's older brothers had supported Sigismund which led to them losing the Visingsborg County. Having been a trustful supporter of Duke Carl, who became regent of Sweden in 1599 and king 1604, Magnus Brahe was declared Count of Visingsborg instead. When King Carl IX died and was succeeded by his son Gustavus Adolphus in 1611, Magnus Brahe remained a close confidant of the king, albeit a new one. The same year, he was appointed Lord High Steward (Swedish: riksdrots), becoming arguably the most prominent member of the Privy Council.[2] In 1614, he was made president of Svea Court of Appeal, when this court was created. Brahe was knighted at the coronation of Gustavus Adolphus in October 1617.[3] He died in Stockholm on March 3, 1633, due to an illness, which possibly was caused by the great grief Brahe felt when king Gustavus Adolphus died.[1] He was buried on May 12 the same year in Västerås Cathedral.
Magnus Brahe married Countess Brita Stensdotter Leijonhufvud (1567-1611) at Gräfsnäs Palace on November 10, 1594. They were parents of Ebba Brahe (1596-1674), who was the subject of king Gustav Adolphus' love. The countess died in 1611, and Brahe remarried at Strömsholm Palace on October 18, 1618, this time with Baroness Helena Bielke (1592-1651).