Swedish ancient nobility
Encyclopedia
Swedish ancient nobility is the term used for families whose de facto status as nobility was formalised by the Ordinance of Alsnö
in 1280.
These noble families have no original patents of nobility, the first known being from 1360. The somewhat lose cut-off date or rather rule of thumb for what constitutes ancient Swedish nobility
is therefore set to during mid 14th century but no later than 1400.
Some Swedish ancient families are still alive at the Swedish House of Nobility or the Finnish House of Nobility; some have been further elevated from Class of Esquires to Class of Knights or to titled nobility (count
or baron
). In 1778 all ancient noble families in the Class of Esquires were elevated to the Class of Knights.
Ordinance of Alsnö
The Ordinance of Alsnö is an act by king Magnus Ladulås of Sweden, probably produced in Alsnö hus in September 1280, giving exemption from land taxation to those nobles who committed to produce a heavy cavalryman to the king's service. This established the frälse, the tax-exempt secular nobility...
in 1280.
These noble families have no original patents of nobility, the first known being from 1360. The somewhat lose cut-off date or rather rule of thumb for what constitutes ancient Swedish nobility
Swedish nobility
The Swedish nobility were historically a legally and/or socially privileged class in Sweden, part of the so-called frälse . Today, the nobility is still very much a part of Swedish society but they do not maintain many of their former privileges...
is therefore set to during mid 14th century but no later than 1400.
Some Swedish ancient families are still alive at the Swedish House of Nobility or the Finnish House of Nobility; some have been further elevated from Class of Esquires to Class of Knights or to titled nobility (count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
or baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
). In 1778 all ancient noble families in the Class of Esquires were elevated to the Class of Knights.
Some Ancient Noble Families
- Aspenäs family
- BanérBanérBanér may refer to:-*Gustaf Banér, member of the Privy Council of Sweden*Johan Banér, Swedish Field Marshal in the Thirty Years' War...
(alive) - Bese
- Bielke (Sweden's second oldest family)
- BjörnBjornBjorn , Björn , Bjørn , Beorn or, rarely, Bjôrn, Biorn, or Latinized Biornus, is a Nordic male given name, or less often a surname, meaning "bear"...
- BååtBååtBååt was an important Swedish noble family, originally from Småland insouth-eastern Sweden.The family is especially known for its long association with Viipuri/Vyborg castle in Finland , the bulwark of the then Swedish realm, at the border against Novgorod/Russia...
- BondeBondeBonde is a Swedish noble family.Prominent members include:* Karl Knutsson Bonde , King Charles VIII of Sweden* Gustaf Bonde , Swedish statesman...
(alive) - Eka family
- Hiort af Ornäs (alive)
- Hård af Segerstad (alive)
- Jägerhorn af SpurilaJägerhorn af SpurilaJägerhorn af Spurila is a noble family, registered with number 114 in the Swedish House of Nobility and number 5 in the Finnish House of Nobility. Members of this family live in Finland, Sweden, France and the USA....
(alive) - Leijonhufvud (alive)
- Lilliehöök (alive)
- Natt och DagNatt och DagNatt och Dag [Direct translation: Night and Day], is a Swedish Noble family and the oldest still existing family of pure Swedish extraction; officially known since the year 1280, according to documents at the Swedish National Archives.- History :...
(alive, Sweden's oldest family) - Porse
- PossePossePosse may refer to:* Posse comitatus , a group of men assembled to assist in law enforcement* Posse , starring Kirk Douglas* Posse , starring Mario van Peebles...
(alive) - Ribbing (alive)
- Rosenstråle
- SparreSparreSparre is a Scandinavian surname - originally borne by a noble family - and can refer to:* Aage Jepsen Sparre, Danish priest* Christian Sparre, Norwegian politician* Desirée Sparre-Enger, Norwegian pop singer...
(alive) - Stenbock (alive)
- TrolleTrolleTrolle is the name of a noble family, originally from Sweden. The family has produced prominent people in the histories of Denmark and in Sweden since the Middle Ages and is associated qwith several estates in Sweden....
(alive) - Örnsparre