Sophie Piper
Encyclopedia
Eva Sophie Piper née Sophie von Fersen, was a Swedish noble and lady in waiting
. She was the daughter of Axel von Fersen the Elder and Hedvig Catharina De la Gardie
and the sister of Axel von Fersen the Younger and Hedvig Eleonora von Fersen
. She is foremost known for her close friendship with Queen Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte
, who dedicated her famous diary to her.
upon her arrival in Sweden in 1774, were the two of them became very close and intimate friends.
Known as one of the beauties of the court of Gustav III of Sweden
, Sophie was proposed to by duke Frederik Adolf
, the king's youngest brother and third in line to the throne, in 1774. The Prince had earlier (1770) proposed to her cousin, Ulrika von Fersen
, but had been declined. Her father forbade the marriage, since he had no wish to bind his family to the royal family. Both Sophie and her father feared that she would have been humiliated by the King and the Queen Dowager, who both disliked the match
An attempt to elope was prevented by Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte
. In 1777 she married chamberlain
Adolf Ludwig Piper (1750–1795).
According to the historian and gossip-specialist Crusenstolpe, Sophie disliked also Frederik Adolf, whose mental faculties were restricted. This is, however, contradicted by contemporary descriptions made by her father and Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte. After Prince Frederick Adolf had proposed to Sophie, she informed the Princess, who welcomed her as a sister-in-law because of their friendship but advised her to inform her father. When Frederick Adolf presented his proposal to her father in January 1774, her father declined with the motivation that it was not a suitable match and that although honored, he must decline for the sake of loyalty to the royal house. Sophie was by that time already promised to Count Piper, because he was rich and the families were friends. Frederick Adolf was not met with open opposition by his family, but his mother the Queen dowager and brother the King was in fact opposed to it. Fredrick Adolf was sent away, and the King and the Queen dowager proposed that Sophie be lady in waiting. Her father stated in his papers that the reason for this suggestion was to "abuse the youth and lack of experience of my daughter and, if they could, make her the official mistress of the Duke", and he therefore declined. When Frederick Adolf continued to be in love with Sophie von Fersen after two years had passed, his brother Charles and him proposed to Sophie von Fersen that they would abduct her from a ball of Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte to Prince Fredericks residence Tullgarn Palace, were a priest would be waiting to perform the ceremony before it could be prevented. Sophie declined the offer after having consulted Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte, mostly, as it seem, out of pride. She told Frederick Adolf her decision at a masquerade ball in the presence Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte. When Frederick Adolf tried to convince her to change her mind, she was almost ready to do so, but asked Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte to take her to another room, so that her feelings would not persuade her to accept. After this, she accepted that her official engagement with Count Piper be proclaimed. After her marriage, Frederick Adolf left for Italy.
From about 1790, she was involved in a long term relationship with Baron Evert Wilhelm Taube af Odenkat, cousin of Hedvig Taube
. This affair took place in parallel with the affair of her friend Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlottes and her younger brother Fabian von Fersen, and the two women gave each other messanges in their letters referring to "F." and "T."
In 1786 Sophie became hovmästarinna to the royal duchess and later Queen Hedwig von Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf
, known in Sweden as Hedvig Elisabet Charlotta. She was the duchess's closest friend, and the historically-interesting diary of the duchess, which were written in form of a correspondence between them, survives. The duchess called Sophie the only true friend she had ever owned, and in 1816, she wrote a biography of Sophie Piper.
Sophie was also the closest confidante of her brother Axel, known as a favourite and possible lover of Marie Antoinette
- for reasons of caution the letters between Axel and Sophie make numerous references to that relationship, but out of caution Marie is never referred to by name but always as "She" or "Josephine" ; the Swedish historian Alma Söderhjelm
has demonstrated that these are aliases for Marie Antoinette.
After she was widowed in 1795, she followed her lover Evert Willhelm Taube to Germany in 1798: after his death in Karlsbad in 1799, she returned to Sweden, where she took the responsibility of her brother Axel's household in 1801.
After the deposition of Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden
in 1809, the Fersen siblings were known supporters of the Gustavian party, who wished for the son of the deposed monarch to be acknowledged as heir to the throne. Instead, Carl August, prince of Augustenburg, was chosen Like her brother Axel, Sophie fell under false and unfounded suspicion of involvement in crown prince Karl August's death in 1810. Both Sophie and Axel were rumored to have poisoned August. Axel was killed in the street on 20 June 1810 by an angry mob while escorting the funeral possession of Carl August. This became known as the Fersen murder. Sophie was also subjected to persecution at this occasion, but she managed to escape. She was warned that she would be forced to share his fate, and she therefore left Stockholm the same night disguised as a maid and sought refuge at Rydboholm Castle. The day after, she was given permission by the king to be placed in safe custody at Vaxholm Castle
. She demanded a court to investigate her involvement in the death of the crown prince. She remained at Vaxholm until November, when she was cleared from all charges. During the investigation, she received several proposals of marriage, one from Georg Carl von Döbeln: she did not accept, but it led to a correspondence between them. Sophie was described as a charming beauty but was also feared for her ambition and sharp tongue.
She lived out her final years retired to Löfstad Slott near Norrköping
.
Lady in Waiting
Lady in Waiting is the 2nd album by American southern rock band Outlaws, released in 1976. -Track listing:#"Breaker-Breaker" – 2:59#"South Carolina" – 3:05#"Ain't So Bad" – 3:48...
. She was the daughter of Axel von Fersen the Elder and Hedvig Catharina De la Gardie
Hedvig Catharina De la Gardie
Hedvig Catharina De la Gardie was a Swedish noblewoman of the French-descent De la Gardie family. She was the daughter of the General and statesman Magnus Julius De la Gardie and the political salonist Hedvig Catharina Lilje, and sister of scientist Eva Ekeblad.She married Axel von Fersen the...
and the sister of Axel von Fersen the Younger and Hedvig Eleonora von Fersen
Hedvig Eleonora von Fersen
Hedvig Eleonora von Fersen was a Swedish noble, lady in waiting to the Swedish queen, Sophia Magdalena of Denmark. She was the daughter of Axel von Fersen the Elder and Hedvig Catharina De la Gardie and the sister of Count Axel von Fersen the Younger and Sophie Piper...
. She is foremost known for her close friendship with Queen Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte
Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp
Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp was the queen consort of Charles XIII of Sweden, and also a famed diarist, memoirist and wit. She is generally known in Sweden by her full pen name , though her official name as queen was Charlotte....
, who dedicated her famous diary to her.
Life
Sophie von Fersen accompanied her mother in the Swedish entourage selected to great Hedvig Elizabeth CharlotteHedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp
Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp was the queen consort of Charles XIII of Sweden, and also a famed diarist, memoirist and wit. She is generally known in Sweden by her full pen name , though her official name as queen was Charlotte....
upon her arrival in Sweden in 1774, were the two of them became very close and intimate friends.
Known as one of the beauties of the court of Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III was King of Sweden from 1771 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Adolph Frederick and Queen Louise Ulrica of Sweden, she a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia....
, Sophie was proposed to by duke Frederik Adolf
Prince Frederick Adolf of Sweden
Prince Fredrick Adolf of Sweden , was a Swedish Prince, youngest son of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, a sister Frederick the Great, King of Prussia...
, the king's youngest brother and third in line to the throne, in 1774. The Prince had earlier (1770) proposed to her cousin, Ulrika von Fersen
Ulla von Höpken
Ulla von Höpken, later von Wright, née von Fersen , was a Swedish lady-in-waiting and noble...
, but had been declined. Her father forbade the marriage, since he had no wish to bind his family to the royal family. Both Sophie and her father feared that she would have been humiliated by the King and the Queen Dowager, who both disliked the match
An attempt to elope was prevented by Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte
Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp
Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp was the queen consort of Charles XIII of Sweden, and also a famed diarist, memoirist and wit. She is generally known in Sweden by her full pen name , though her official name as queen was Charlotte....
. In 1777 she married chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
Adolf Ludwig Piper (1750–1795).
According to the historian and gossip-specialist Crusenstolpe, Sophie disliked also Frederik Adolf, whose mental faculties were restricted. This is, however, contradicted by contemporary descriptions made by her father and Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte. After Prince Frederick Adolf had proposed to Sophie, she informed the Princess, who welcomed her as a sister-in-law because of their friendship but advised her to inform her father. When Frederick Adolf presented his proposal to her father in January 1774, her father declined with the motivation that it was not a suitable match and that although honored, he must decline for the sake of loyalty to the royal house. Sophie was by that time already promised to Count Piper, because he was rich and the families were friends. Frederick Adolf was not met with open opposition by his family, but his mother the Queen dowager and brother the King was in fact opposed to it. Fredrick Adolf was sent away, and the King and the Queen dowager proposed that Sophie be lady in waiting. Her father stated in his papers that the reason for this suggestion was to "abuse the youth and lack of experience of my daughter and, if they could, make her the official mistress of the Duke", and he therefore declined. When Frederick Adolf continued to be in love with Sophie von Fersen after two years had passed, his brother Charles and him proposed to Sophie von Fersen that they would abduct her from a ball of Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte to Prince Fredericks residence Tullgarn Palace, were a priest would be waiting to perform the ceremony before it could be prevented. Sophie declined the offer after having consulted Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte, mostly, as it seem, out of pride. She told Frederick Adolf her decision at a masquerade ball in the presence Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte. When Frederick Adolf tried to convince her to change her mind, she was almost ready to do so, but asked Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte to take her to another room, so that her feelings would not persuade her to accept. After this, she accepted that her official engagement with Count Piper be proclaimed. After her marriage, Frederick Adolf left for Italy.
From about 1790, she was involved in a long term relationship with Baron Evert Wilhelm Taube af Odenkat, cousin of Hedvig Taube
Hedvig Taube
Hedvig Ulrika Taube also Countess von Hessenstein was a Swedish noble and salonist, official royal mistress to King Frederick I of Sweden...
. This affair took place in parallel with the affair of her friend Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlottes and her younger brother Fabian von Fersen, and the two women gave each other messanges in their letters referring to "F." and "T."
In 1786 Sophie became hovmästarinna to the royal duchess and later Queen Hedwig von Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf
Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp
Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp was the queen consort of Charles XIII of Sweden, and also a famed diarist, memoirist and wit. She is generally known in Sweden by her full pen name , though her official name as queen was Charlotte....
, known in Sweden as Hedvig Elisabet Charlotta. She was the duchess's closest friend, and the historically-interesting diary of the duchess, which were written in form of a correspondence between them, survives. The duchess called Sophie the only true friend she had ever owned, and in 1816, she wrote a biography of Sophie Piper.
Sophie was also the closest confidante of her brother Axel, known as a favourite and possible lover of Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette ; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was an Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of France and of Navarre. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I....
- for reasons of caution the letters between Axel and Sophie make numerous references to that relationship, but out of caution Marie is never referred to by name but always as "She" or "Josephine" ; the Swedish historian Alma Söderhjelm
Alma Söderhjelm
Alma Söderhjelm was a Swedish-speaking Finnish historian and the first female professor in Finland.She had a docentship from 1906 to 1926...
has demonstrated that these are aliases for Marie Antoinette.
After she was widowed in 1795, she followed her lover Evert Willhelm Taube to Germany in 1798: after his death in Karlsbad in 1799, she returned to Sweden, where she took the responsibility of her brother Axel's household in 1801.
After the deposition of Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden
Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden
Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden also Gustav Adolph was King of Sweden from 1792 until his abdication in 1809. He was the son of Gustav III of Sweden and his queen consort Sophia Magdalena, eldest daughter of Frederick V of Denmark and his first wife Louise of Great Britain. He was the last Swedish...
in 1809, the Fersen siblings were known supporters of the Gustavian party, who wished for the son of the deposed monarch to be acknowledged as heir to the throne. Instead, Carl August, prince of Augustenburg, was chosen Like her brother Axel, Sophie fell under false and unfounded suspicion of involvement in crown prince Karl August's death in 1810. Both Sophie and Axel were rumored to have poisoned August. Axel was killed in the street on 20 June 1810 by an angry mob while escorting the funeral possession of Carl August. This became known as the Fersen murder. Sophie was also subjected to persecution at this occasion, but she managed to escape. She was warned that she would be forced to share his fate, and she therefore left Stockholm the same night disguised as a maid and sought refuge at Rydboholm Castle. The day after, she was given permission by the king to be placed in safe custody at Vaxholm Castle
Vaxholm Castle
Vaxholm Castle sits on an island just east of the Swedish village of Vaxholm.The Castle was originally constructed by Gustav Vasa in 1544 to defend Stockholm against shipborne attacks from the east, but most of the current structure dates from 1833-1863. Russian prisoners-of-war were used in part...
. She demanded a court to investigate her involvement in the death of the crown prince. She remained at Vaxholm until November, when she was cleared from all charges. During the investigation, she received several proposals of marriage, one from Georg Carl von Döbeln: she did not accept, but it led to a correspondence between them. Sophie was described as a charming beauty but was also feared for her ambition and sharp tongue.
She lived out her final years retired to Löfstad Slott near Norrköping
Norrköping
Norrköping is a city in the province of Östergötland in eastern Sweden and the seat of Norrköping Municipality, Östergötland County. The city has a population of 87,247 inhabitants in 2010, out of a municipal total of 130,050, making it Sweden's tenth largest city and eighth largest...
.