Wedel-Jarlsberg
Encyclopedia
Wedel-Jarlsberg is a Danish
and Norwegian noble family
. It is also a branch of the family von Wedel, which comes from Pomerania
, Germany
. Family members have had a significant position in the 18th and 19th centuries' Norwegian history, especially as fief counts.
played in 1814 an active rôle in the constitutional assembly at Eidsvoll
, and was the first native Norwegian to hold the post of governor (representing the absent king as head of the Norwegian cabinet) during the union with Sweden.
Family member Fritz Wedel-Jarlsberg ignored this and styled himself baron.
was made a fief count.
The manor was built originally three kilometres northwest of the centre of the town of Tønsberg
in Vestfold
. After a fire in 1699, the manor house was built up again. In 1812, Fief Count Johan Caspar Herman Wedel-Jarlsberg rebuilt the castle in the empire style. Around the manor there were arranged big, but simple garden and parks areas.
The manor house is mainly from 1812, but with various improvements. The first floor of the main building is the column hall that has been used for concerts. Knight's hall on the second floor is used for private companies. There are other public trails over the property along the shoreline and through woodland which is also a private cemetery. Jarlsberg Estate is today one of Norway's largest farm with about 750 acres (3 km²) cultivated land.
Danish nobility
Nobility in Denmark was a leading social class until the 19th or 20th century. Danish nobility exists yet and has a recognized status in Denmark, a monarchy, but its real privileges have been abolished....
and Norwegian noble family
Norwegian nobility
Norwegian nobility are persons and families who in early times belonged to the supreme social, political, and military class and who later were members of the institutionalised nobility in the Kingdom of Norway. It has its historical roots in the group of chieftains and warriors which evolved...
. It is also a branch of the family von Wedel, which comes from Pomerania
Pomerania
Pomerania is a historical region on the south shore of the Baltic Sea. Divided between Germany and Poland, it stretches roughly from the Recknitz River near Stralsund in the West, via the Oder River delta near Szczecin, to the mouth of the Vistula River near Gdańsk in the East...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Family members have had a significant position in the 18th and 19th centuries' Norwegian history, especially as fief counts.
Counts of Wedel-Jarlsberg
Fief Count Johan Caspar Herman Wedel-JarlsbergJohan Caspar Herman Wedel-Jarlsberg
Johan Caspar Herman Wedel-Jarlsberg was a politician and a Norwegian count, one of only two titled noblemen in Norway...
played in 1814 an active rôle in the constitutional assembly at Eidsvoll
Eidsvoll
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Romerike traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Sundet.-Name:...
, and was the first native Norwegian to hold the post of governor (representing the absent king as head of the Norwegian cabinet) during the union with Sweden.
Barons of Wedel-Jarlsberg
Several members of the Wedel-Jarlsberg family, and mainly younger sons and daughters of the count, had baronial dignity.1821
The 1821 Law of Nobility abolished noble privileges and the recognition of noble titles in Norway, but, however, allowed the current bearers to keep the recognised noble status and titles for their lifetime. Thus, the title Fief Count of Wedel-Jarlsberg did not end until the death of Fief Count Peder Anker Wedel-Jarlsberg (1809–1893).Family member Fritz Wedel-Jarlsberg ignored this and styled himself baron.
Jarlsberg Main Farm and Estate
Jarlsberg Main Farm (Jarlsberg Hovedgård) has traditionally been the residence of members of the Wedel-Jarlsberg family. In September 1683, Ulrik Fredrik Gyldenløve, the illegitimate son of the King, sold the manor to Gustav Wilhelm von Wedel, a Danish officer who was made Commanding General in Norway in 1681. Field Marshal v. Wedel received the name Wedel af Jarlsberg in 1684, at which time he by letters patentLetters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
was made a fief count.
The manor was built originally three kilometres northwest of the centre of the town of Tønsberg
Tønsberg
is a city and municipality in Vestfold county, southern Norway, located around north-east of Sandefjord. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tønsberg....
in Vestfold
Vestfold
is a county in Norway, bordering Buskerud and Telemark. The county administration is in Tønsberg.Vestfold is located west of the Oslofjord, as the name indicates. It includes many smaller, but well-known towns in Norway, such as Larvik, Sandefjord, Tønsberg and Horten. The river Numedalslågen runs...
. After a fire in 1699, the manor house was built up again. In 1812, Fief Count Johan Caspar Herman Wedel-Jarlsberg rebuilt the castle in the empire style. Around the manor there were arranged big, but simple garden and parks areas.
The manor house is mainly from 1812, but with various improvements. The first floor of the main building is the column hall that has been used for concerts. Knight's hall on the second floor is used for private companies. There are other public trails over the property along the shoreline and through woodland which is also a private cemetery. Jarlsberg Estate is today one of Norway's largest farm with about 750 acres (3 km²) cultivated land.