Augusta von Fersen
Encyclopedia
Christina Augusta von Fersen, as married Löwenhielm (10 March 1754– 8 April 1846), was a Swedish noble
and lady-in-waiting
. She is a well-known figure of the Gustavian
Age, and is known in history as one of "The Three Graces" at court, and as royal mistress to king Charles XIII of Sweden
.
Carl Reinhold von Fersen and Charlotta Sparre
, and was the cousin
of Count
Axel von Fersen the Younger, the granddaughter of Hans von Fersen, and the niece of Axel von Fersen the Elder. Her father, the brother of the Caps
leader, was described as "one of the most elegant and spirited gentlemen of his time", and her mother made a success at the French royal court of Versailles
with her beauty when she accompanied her relative Ulla Tessin
, spouse of the Swedish ambassador Carl Gustaf Tessin
, to France (1739–42) and was later made lady in waiting to Louisa Ulrika of Prussia
and head of the court of Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
. Augusta was married (1770) to Count Fredrik Löwenhielm, who spent a lot of his time abroad; he was the Swedish Ambassador at the Dresden
court in the 1770s.
to Queen Sophia Magdalena
. She became one of the most known socialites of the Gustavian Age and a centre of attention at court. Together with the ladies-in-waiting Ulla von Höpken
(her sister) and Lovisa Meijerfelt, she was known as one of "The Three Graces
", as expressed by Johan Henric Kellgren
in his poem "Gracernas döpelse" - the Graces were the Goddesses of Joy in Greek mythology. The mother of Augusta and Ulla had studied dance under Marie Sallé
during her stay in Paris and in turn taught her daughters, who became known for their grace and talent within dance in the amateur theatre in the court of Gustav III
Augusta was admired for her elegance and good taste. Her sister Ulla was at one point the object of Prince Frederick Adolf
's affection, and Augusta herself was in the 1770s involved in a relationship with Prince Charles. Her relationship with Charles lasted between c. 1771 until c. 1777 - it was publicly known and accepted, but she was not an official mistress. Their relationship was much talked about when Charles was married to Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp
in 1774, and contributed to the distance between Charles and his spouse. She was eventually replaced as a mistress by Charlotte Eckerman
and Charlotte Slottsberg
. After her relationship with Charles ended, she continued to be known for her "unprejudiced" attitude in her love life.
Prince Charles' wife, Hedvig, described Augusta in her famous diaries: "She is with no doubt charming, her features are pleasant, her appearance appealing, and dressed for ball, she is quite magnificent". As for her personality, Hedvig adds that Augusta did not have a bad effect on Charles, and that she was a kind person who, due to her tolerant attitude toward others, was also treated tolerantly herself: "As it happened the other day, Countess Löwenhielm was late at dinner and arived a quarter of an hour after it had started, and unfortunately, Baron von Essen
arived at the same time. All of us aware of their relationship found it amusing, and some could not hide a smile." Ulla remarked of the incident: "To think if something of that sort would happen to another poor soul - they would never hear the end of it. But my sister is always excused, and it can only be seen as proof of her open nature and her frankness to expose her relationship to that meek Essen for the world". Hedvig then replied: "She may not be more careful than others, but of a kind and goodhearted nature, she is friendly toward all and does not interefere in other people's business, which makes her less exposed to slander than most".
Augusta was indirectly involved in a scandalous duel. In 1788, her lover, von Essen, proposed to the heiress Charlotta Eleonora De Geer (1771-1798) and was accepted. His proposal was met with great dislike within the royal court because of sympathy with the popular Augusta von Fersen, and he was challenged to a duel
by his rival count Adolph Ribbing
. Ribbing had also proposed to De Geer but had been declined by her father, which he refused to accept, as he believed he had reasons to think that De Geer preferred him and that Essen had proposed because of economic reasons, and because von Essen's proposal and marriage plans was commonly disliked within the court. The duel took place in the royal riding house in the presence of several officers and led to the defeat of von Essen, who was slightly injured. The duel was regarded as a scandal and a crime against the King The duel affair also caused great Ribbing to feel great animosity against the king, and he was later involved in the regicide against Gustav III.
In 1795, Augusta von Fersen left court: her mother, formally head of the court of the queen dowager although in reality bedridden, was fired from her position and her daughters left the court in protest, officially to take care of their mother's health, and she was formally fired in June 1795. In 1799, she presented Lolotte Forssberg
at court. Her last years were spent in religion and charity.
Children with Prince Charles:
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...
. She is a well-known figure of the Gustavian
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....
Age, and is known in history as one of "The Three Graces" at court, and as royal mistress to king Charles XIII of Sweden
Charles XIII of Sweden
Charles XIII & II also Carl, , was King of Sweden from 1809 and King of Norway from 1814 until his death...
.
Background
Augusta was the daughter of the noble royal Crown ForesterForester
250px|thumb|right|Foresters of [[Southern University of Chile|UACh]] in the [[Valdivian forest]]s of San Pablo de Tregua, ChileA forester is a person who practices forestry, the science, art, and profession of managing forests. Foresters engage in a broad range of activities including timber...
Carl Reinhold von Fersen and Charlotta Sparre
Charlotta Sparre
Charlotta Sparre , commonly named Lotta Sparre was a Swedish noble and court lady.Lotta Sparre was the daughter of Fredrik Henrik Sparre and Virginia Christina Lilliehöök af Fårdala...
, and was the cousin
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
of 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...
Axel von Fersen the Younger, the granddaughter of Hans von Fersen, and the niece of Axel von Fersen the Elder. Her father, the brother of the Caps
Caps (party)
The Caps were a political faction during the Age of Liberty in Sweden. The primary rivals of the Caps were known as the Hats. The Hats are actually responsible for the Caps' name, as it comes from a contraction of Night-cap, a name used to suggest that the Caps were the soft and timid party...
leader, was described as "one of the most elegant and spirited gentlemen of his time", and her mother made a success at the French royal court of Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
with her beauty when she accompanied her relative Ulla Tessin
Ulla Tessin
Ulrika Lovisa Tessin, known as Ulla Tessin, née Sparre , was a Swedish lady in waiting, letter writer, dilettant artist and noble...
, spouse of the Swedish ambassador Carl Gustaf Tessin
Carl Gustaf Tessin
Count Carl Gustaf Tessin was a Swedish politician and son of architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger and Hedvig Eleonora Stenbock.-Life:Carl Gustaf Tessin was born in Stockholm...
, to France (1739–42) and was later made lady in waiting to 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:...
and head of the court of 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....
. Augusta was married (1770) to Count Fredrik Löwenhielm, who spent a lot of his time abroad; he was the Swedish Ambassador at the Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
court in the 1770s.
At court
In 1771 Augusta was made lady-in-waitingLady-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...
to Queen Sophia Magdalena
Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
Sofia Magdalena of Denmark and Norway was a Queen consort of Sweden as the spouse of Gustav III of Sweden....
. She became one of the most known socialites of the Gustavian Age and a centre of attention at court. Together with the ladies-in-waiting Ulla von Höpken
Ulla von Höpken
Ulla von Höpken, later von Wright, née von Fersen , was a Swedish lady-in-waiting and noble...
(her sister) and Lovisa Meijerfelt, she was known as one of "The Three Graces
Charites
In Greek mythology, a Charis is one of several Charites , goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility. They ordinarily numbered three, from youngest to oldest: Aglaea , Euphrosyne , and Thalia . In Roman mythology they were known as the Gratiae, the "Graces"...
", as expressed by Johan Henric Kellgren
Johan Henric Kellgren
Johan Henrik Kellgren was a Swedish poet and critic.-Biography:He was born at Floby in Västergötland...
in his poem "Gracernas döpelse" - the Graces were the Goddesses of Joy in Greek mythology. The mother of Augusta and Ulla had studied dance under Marie Sallé
Marie Sallé
Marie Sallé was a French dancer and choreographer known for her expressive, dramatic performances rather than a series of "leaps and frolics" typical of ballet of her time...
during her stay in Paris and in turn taught her daughters, who became known for their grace and talent within dance in the amateur theatre in the court of Gustav III
Augusta was admired for her elegance and good taste. Her sister Ulla was at one point the object of Prince Frederick 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...
's affection, and Augusta herself was in the 1770s involved in a relationship with Prince Charles. Her relationship with Charles lasted between c. 1771 until c. 1777 - it was publicly known and accepted, but she was not an official mistress. Their relationship was much talked about when Charles was married to Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp
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 1774, and contributed to the distance between Charles and his spouse. She was eventually replaced as a mistress by Charlotte Eckerman
Charlotte Eckerman
Charlotte Eckerman , was a Swedish opera singer and actress. She was also a very well known courtesan during the Gustavian era, and the official royal mistress of Charles XIII of Sweden from 1779 to 1781...
and Charlotte Slottsberg
Charlotte Slottsberg
Charlotte Slottsberg , was a Swedish ballerina-dancer, one of the first native dancers in the Royal Swedish Ballet at the Royal Swedish Opera and one of the most successful ones...
. After her relationship with Charles ended, she continued to be known for her "unprejudiced" attitude in her love life.
Prince Charles' wife, Hedvig, described Augusta in her famous diaries: "She is with no doubt charming, her features are pleasant, her appearance appealing, and dressed for ball, she is quite magnificent". As for her personality, Hedvig adds that Augusta did not have a bad effect on Charles, and that she was a kind person who, due to her tolerant attitude toward others, was also treated tolerantly herself: "As it happened the other day, Countess Löwenhielm was late at dinner and arived a quarter of an hour after it had started, and unfortunately, Baron von Essen
Hans Henric von Essen (1755–1824)
Count Hans Henrik von Essen was a Swedish officer, courtier and statesman.Hans Henrik von Essen was born at Kavlås Castle in Tidaholm Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. He was educated at Uppsala University. He entered the army becoming a cornet at age 18. He accompanied Gustav III in...
arived at the same time. All of us aware of their relationship found it amusing, and some could not hide a smile." Ulla remarked of the incident: "To think if something of that sort would happen to another poor soul - they would never hear the end of it. But my sister is always excused, and it can only be seen as proof of her open nature and her frankness to expose her relationship to that meek Essen for the world". Hedvig then replied: "She may not be more careful than others, but of a kind and goodhearted nature, she is friendly toward all and does not interefere in other people's business, which makes her less exposed to slander than most".
Augusta was indirectly involved in a scandalous duel. In 1788, her lover, von Essen, proposed to the heiress Charlotta Eleonora De Geer (1771-1798) and was accepted. His proposal was met with great dislike within the royal court because of sympathy with the popular Augusta von Fersen, and he was challenged to a duel
Duel
A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two individuals, with matched weapons in accordance with agreed-upon rules.Duels in this form were chiefly practised in Early Modern Europe, with precedents in the medieval code of chivalry, and continued into the modern period especially among...
by his rival count Adolph Ribbing
Adolph Ribbing
Adolph Ludvig Ribbing, later called Adolph de Leuven , was a Swedish count and politician. He participated in the regicide of Gustav III of Sweden in 1792....
. Ribbing had also proposed to De Geer but had been declined by her father, which he refused to accept, as he believed he had reasons to think that De Geer preferred him and that Essen had proposed because of economic reasons, and because von Essen's proposal and marriage plans was commonly disliked within the court. The duel took place in the royal riding house in the presence of several officers and led to the defeat of von Essen, who was slightly injured. The duel was regarded as a scandal and a crime against the King The duel affair also caused great Ribbing to feel great animosity against the king, and he was later involved in the regicide against Gustav III.
In 1795, Augusta von Fersen left court: her mother, formally head of the court of the queen dowager although in reality bedridden, was fired from her position and her daughters left the court in protest, officially to take care of their mother's health, and she was formally fired in June 1795. In 1799, she presented Lolotte Forssberg
Lolotte Forssberg
Lolotte Forssberg was a Swedish noble and lady-in-waiting, later countess Stenbock. She was one of the most talked about people of her time as the possible child of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden. Princess Sophia Albertine of Sweden investigated her birth in the 1790s and tried to have her...
at court. Her last years were spent in religion and charity.
Children
Children with Fredrik Löwenhielm:- Gustaf Karl Fredrik Löwenhielm (1771–1856)
Children with Prince Charles:
- Carl LöwenhielmCarl LöwenhielmCount Carl Löwenhielm was a Swedish military officer, diplomat, and politician; he was a member of the Swedish cabinet between 1822–1839...
(1772–1861)