Ulrika Strömfelt
Encyclopedia
Ulrika Eleonora Strömfelt (1724 – 1780) was a politically active Swedish noble
and lady-in-waiting
who played an important part in the attempted Coup d'état
of queen Louisa Ulrika.
Daughter of nobleman and statesman Johan Strömfelt, she and her sister Agneta were made ladies-in-waiting to the crown princess, Louisa Ulrika of Prussia
in 1746. She belonged to the first group to be made ladies-in-waiting to Louisa Ulrika upon her arrival in Sweden, together with Cathérine Charlotte De la Gardie
, Henrika Juliana von Liewen
and Lotta Sparre. In 1748, she replaced Liewen as first lady-in-waiting, a position she kept until 1756.
In 1756, Queen Louisa Ulrika planned a coup d'état to depose the parliament and restore absolute monarchy
. To finance the coup, Louisa Ulrika removed the diamonds from the queens' crown, replacing them with crystals. Strömfelt, who was a supporter of the Hats (party)
, informed the government. The government then demanded that they be allowed to inspect the crown jewels. They confirmed Strömfelt's accusation, which resulted in the exposure and failure of the queen's coup.
In recognition of Strömfelt's acts, she was awarded the title of "The Daughter of the Parliament" and a pension of $2,000.
She married colonel governor Carl Sparre in 1756 and was replaced as first lady-in-waiting by Ulrika Eleonora von Düben
. She was later the head lady-in-waiting to the next queen, Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
.
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
and lady-in-waiting
Lady-in-waiting
A lady-in-waiting is a female personal assistant at a royal court, attending on a queen, a princess, or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, in Europe a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman from a family highly thought of in good society, but was of lower rank than the woman on whom she...
who played an important part in the attempted Coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
of queen Louisa Ulrika.
Daughter of nobleman and statesman Johan Strömfelt, she and her sister Agneta were made ladies-in-waiting to the crown princess, Louisa Ulrika of Prussia
Louisa Ulrika of Prussia
Louisa Ulrika of Prussia was Queen of Sweden between 1751 and 1771 as the spouse of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden, and queen mother during the reign of King Gustav III of Sweden.-Background:...
in 1746. She belonged to the first group to be made ladies-in-waiting to Louisa Ulrika upon her arrival in Sweden, together with Cathérine Charlotte De la Gardie
Cathérine Charlotte De la Gardie
Countess Catherine Charlotte De la Gardie or de La Gardie, also called Catharina Charlotta and Katarina Charlotta, née Taube, , was a Swedish noble...
, Henrika Juliana von Liewen
Henrika Juliana von Liewen
Henrika Juliana von Liewen was a Swedish noble, socialite and lady-in-waiting, believed to have been politically active on behalf of the Hats during the Age of liberty....
and Lotta Sparre. In 1748, she replaced Liewen as first lady-in-waiting, a position she kept until 1756.
In 1756, Queen Louisa Ulrika planned a coup d'état to depose the parliament and restore absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
. To finance the coup, Louisa Ulrika removed the diamonds from the queens' crown, replacing them with crystals. Strömfelt, who was a supporter of the Hats (party)
Hats (party)
The Hats were a Swedish political faction active during the Age of Liberty . Their name derives from the tricorne hat worn by officers and gentlemen. They vied for power with the Caps. The Hats, who ruled Sweden from 1738 to 1765, advocated an alliance with France and an assertive foreign policy,...
, informed the government. The government then demanded that they be allowed to inspect the crown jewels. They confirmed Strömfelt's accusation, which resulted in the exposure and failure of the queen's coup.
In recognition of Strömfelt's acts, she was awarded the title of "The Daughter of the Parliament" and a pension of $2,000.
She married colonel governor Carl Sparre in 1756 and was replaced as first lady-in-waiting by Ulrika Eleonora von Düben
Ulrika Eleonora von Düben
Ulrika Eleonora von Düben , was a Swedish Courtier, lady in waiting and favourite of the Swedish queen Louisa Ulrika of Prussia....
. She was later the head lady-in-waiting to the next queen, Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
Sofia Magdalena of Denmark and Norway was a Queen consort of Sweden as the spouse of Gustav III of Sweden....
.