Eva Helena Löwen
Encyclopedia
Eva Helena Löwen was a politically active Swedish noble socialite and royal favourite. She was active as a French agent in Sweden.
Löwen was child of Axel Löwen and Eva Horn af Ekebyholm and grandchild of Arvid Horn
, married to Count Fredrik Ribbing in 1764 and to Baron Gustaf Macklean in 1796. She was the mother of Adolph Ribbing
, one of the conspirators behind the murder of King Gustav III of Sweden
.
Löwen was a leading figure in Stockholm society in the 1760s, described as a celebrated beauty, the capitals “Queen of fashion” and talked about for her love adventures. Crown prince Gustav was claimed to be “in love” with her, although this was not a sexual but a platonic love. She was also a friend of the queen, Louisa Ulrika of Prussia
.
She is one of the confirmed names mentioned on a list from the last years of the age of liberty, consistent of influential Swedish citizens who received secret allowances from the French Crown in exchange for using their influence to lobby French interests in Swedish politics. Her French allowance consisted of a third of the salary paid to a Swedish member of parliament of this period, and almost equal to that of the President of Svea Hovrätt. Nine names are identified on the list, of which three were women. Another female agent was Christina Sofia Bielke, the mother of Magdalena Rudenschöld
: women were often financed to hold salons
to benefit French interests.
Löwen was after the revolution of 1772 ”quite favoured” by Gustav III, and could often be seen discussing France with the monarch. In 1778, she took the side of the Queen Dowager against the King when the former accused the latter of having had Adolph Fredrik Munk af Fulkila
father the Crown Prince. Löwen was even pointed out as an instigator to the rumour, and although this is not considered to have been true, it caused a break with the monarch, after which she became his enemy and is said to have directed “one thousand sarcasms” toward him. In 1792, her son, Adolph Ribbing, became one of the conspirators participating in the regicide of Gustav III.
Löwen was child of Axel Löwen and Eva Horn af Ekebyholm and grandchild of Arvid Horn
Arvid Horn
Count Arvid Bernhard Horn of Ekebyholm was a Swedish soldier, diplomat and politician. He served twice as President of the Privy Council Chancellery and was one of the leading figures of the Swedish Age of Liberty.- Soldier and diplomat :He was born Arvid Bernhard Horn in Vuorentaka ,...
, married to Count Fredrik Ribbing in 1764 and to Baron Gustaf Macklean in 1796. She was the mother of 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....
, one of the conspirators behind the murder of King 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....
.
Löwen was a leading figure in Stockholm society in the 1760s, described as a celebrated beauty, the capitals “Queen of fashion” and talked about for her love adventures. Crown prince Gustav was claimed to be “in love” with her, although this was not a sexual but a platonic love. She was also a friend of the queen, 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:...
.
She is one of the confirmed names mentioned on a list from the last years of the age of liberty, consistent of influential Swedish citizens who received secret allowances from the French Crown in exchange for using their influence to lobby French interests in Swedish politics. Her French allowance consisted of a third of the salary paid to a Swedish member of parliament of this period, and almost equal to that of the President of Svea Hovrätt. Nine names are identified on the list, of which three were women. Another female agent was Christina Sofia Bielke, the mother of Magdalena Rudenschöld
Magdalena Rudenschöld
Magdalena Charlotta Rudenschöld, commonly known as Malla Rudenschöld and privately as Malin Rudenschöld , was a member of the Swedish nobility and a lady-in-waiting. She was one of the main participants in the so-called Armfelt conspiracy against the guardian government of 1792...
: women were often financed to hold salons
Salon (gathering)
A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the participants through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to...
to benefit French interests.
Löwen was after the revolution of 1772 ”quite favoured” by Gustav III, and could often be seen discussing France with the monarch. In 1778, she took the side of the Queen Dowager against the King when the former accused the latter of having had Adolph Fredrik Munk af Fulkila
Count Adolf Fredrik Munck af Fulkila
Adolf Fredrik, Count Munck af Fulkila was a Swedish and Finnish noble alleged to have been the biological father of King Gustaf IV Adolf.- Biography :...
father the Crown Prince. Löwen was even pointed out as an instigator to the rumour, and although this is not considered to have been true, it caused a break with the monarch, after which she became his enemy and is said to have directed “one thousand sarcasms” toward him. In 1792, her son, Adolph Ribbing, became one of the conspirators participating in the regicide of Gustav III.