Fleming of Louhisaari
Encyclopedia
The Louhisaari noble family, otherwise known as Fleming, is a Finnish family of medieval frälse.
Its first certainly known male-line ancestor, knight Peder Klasson (sir Peder Fleming), is documented living yet in 1406. He came from Denmark to Sweden during the early reign of king Eric XIII of Sweden and is buried in the Riddarholm Church
, Stockholm
. He was probably son of a Claus Fleming who between 1331 and 1354 is mentioned as bailiff
of Barth in the Pomeranian
principality of Rügen (a Danish fief) and had in principle the same Coat of Arms. The name of the family denotes some of its origin to Flanders
. When having first settled in the eastern part of Sweden (modern day Finland), they soon became assimilated with the country, having married from among natives and grown into local societal activities. They inherited the manor of Louhisaari (in Swedish Villnäs) in Finland Proper
(located in the modern day municipality of Askainen
).
The family was one of the most prominent in Finland at the end of Middle Ages.
The then head of the house, sir Lars Fleming (died 1562), governor of the Stockholm Palace
, was among the first ones to ever be created friherre in Sweden, which took place in the coronation
of Eric XIV of Sweden
on 29 June 1561. Baron Lars got the title Baron of Nynes (Nynäs) from one of his maternally inherited manors. His male line went extinct on 5 January 1569.
His cousin, sir Klaus Fleming
(died 1535-1597), member of the Privy Council of Sweden
, afterwards Lord High Admiral of Sweden
, Lord High Constable of Sweden
(marsk) and Governor General of Finland, was created on 2 August 1569 baron of the barony of Vik. His male line went extinct in the Åbo Bloodbath
on 10 November 1599.
When the Swedish House of Knights
was established, the family of Fleming of Louhisaari, noble since time immemorial, was registered there, under number 4 of untitled nobility.
The Over-Governor, or Överståthållaren of Stockholm
was the highest official for the City between 1634 and 1967. The Office was instituted by the Instrument of Government
of 1634,
Sir Klas or Claes Larsson Fleming (Flemingvaesnsjigirhgarg) (1592–1644), was an admiral and the first Over-Governor of Stockholm
(1634–1644) after the office was instituted by the Instrument of Government
of 1634. His children were elevated to the friherre rank on 26 March 1651 by queen Christina of Sweden
, with the title Baron of Liebelitz, due to service and accomplishments of the late father. This lineage continues to present day.
Sir Eric Fleming (1616–79), provincial governor, president, chamber councillor, afterwards Marshal of Nobility
(lantmarskalk
en) was created Baron of Lais on 12 May 1654 by queen Christina of Sweden
. His male line went extinct 29 July 1786.
Widow and children of Baron Claes Fleming af Liebelitz (1649–85), Marshal of Nobility, Lord High Treasurer of Sweden
, president, a grandson of late sir Claes the admiral, were elevated on 10 December 1687 by king Charles XI of Sweden
to the comital rank with the title Count
to all male-line descendants. Their male line went extinct on 15 November 1729.
Baron Claes Adolf Fleming (1771–1831), councillor of state, Lord High Constable of Sweden
was created count on 11 May 1818, but he did not leave any surviving male descendants.
"...Een fyradubbel fördeelt sköldh, der mit uthi deres förre och gamble Flemminge vapn. Uthi den öfverste skölden på högre sijdan ett skepp i fulle segel uthi blådt feldt. Uthi den nederste på vänstre tree rödha blomster eller blommor medh sine oprättstående stielckar i lijka motto uthi blådt felt. Uthi den öfverste skölden på vänstre sijdan tvänne skytt, vändande sigh emoot skeppet medh uthfräsande eldh eller lågha uthur munnen och fängpannan uthi guhlt felt, och uthi den niderste på högre sidan ett slott. Ofvan opå skölden tvenne öpne tornerehielmar, täcken och crantzerne medh guhlt, rödt, hvitt och blådt fördeelte, hvarthere hielmen medh een frijherre chrona opå. Öfver den högre hielmchronan står det gamble Flemminge vapnet och uthur den vänstre hielmkronan opstå tree röde blomster eller blommor medh sine oprättstående stielkar, aldeles som hele dette vapn medh sine egendtlige färgor härhoos repraesenterat och afmåhlat står..."
Its first certainly known male-line ancestor, knight Peder Klasson (sir Peder Fleming), is documented living yet in 1406. He came from Denmark to Sweden during the early reign of king Eric XIII of Sweden and is buried in the Riddarholm Church
Riddarholmskyrkan
The Riddarholmen Church is the burial church of the Swedish monarchs. It is located on the island of Riddarholmen, close to the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden. The congregation was dissolved in 1807 and today the church is used only for burial and commemorative purposes. Swedish monarchs from...
, Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. He was probably son of a Claus Fleming who between 1331 and 1354 is mentioned as bailiff
Bailiff
A bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
of Barth in the Pomeranian
Duchy of Pomerania
The Duchy of Pomerania was a duchy in Pomerania on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, ruled by dukes of the House of Pomerania ....
principality of Rügen (a Danish fief) and had in principle the same Coat of Arms. The name of the family denotes some of its origin to Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
. When having first settled in the eastern part of Sweden (modern day Finland), they soon became assimilated with the country, having married from among natives and grown into local societal activities. They inherited the manor of Louhisaari (in Swedish Villnäs) in Finland Proper
Finland Proper (historical province)
Finland Proper, , is a historical province in south western Finland, centred on the historic city of Turku and the Turku Castle. It borders Satakunta, Tavastia and Uusimaa. It is also bounded by the Baltic sea facing Åland. There is also a modern region by the name Finland Proper...
(located in the modern day municipality of Askainen
Askainen
Askainen is a former municipality of Finland. Together with Lemu, it was consolidated with Masku on January 1, 2009.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Finland Proper region. The municipality had a population of 938 and covered an area of 61.52 km² of which...
).
The family was one of the most prominent in Finland at the end of Middle Ages.
The then head of the house, sir Lars Fleming (died 1562), governor of the Stockholm Palace
Stockholm Palace
The Stockholm Palace is the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch. . Stockholm Palace is located on Stadsholmen , in Gamla Stan in the capital, Stockholm...
, was among the first ones to ever be created friherre in Sweden, which took place in the coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
of Eric XIV of Sweden
Eric XIV of Sweden
-Family and descendants:Eric XIV had several relationships before his marriage. With Agda Persdotter he had four daughters:#Margareta Eriksdotter , married 1592 to Olov Simonsson, vicar of Horn....
on 29 June 1561. Baron Lars got the title Baron of Nynes (Nynäs) from one of his maternally inherited manors. His male line went extinct on 5 January 1569.
His cousin, sir Klaus Fleming
Klaus Fleming
Baron Clas Eriksson Fleming was a Finnish-born member of the Swedish nobility and admiral, who played an important role in Finnish and Swedish history during the rise of Sweden as a Great Power...
(died 1535-1597), member of the Privy Council of Sweden
Privy Council of Sweden
The High Council of Sweden or Council of the Realm consisted originally of those men of noble, common and clergical background, that the king saw fit for advisory service...
, afterwards Lord High Admiral of Sweden
Lord High Admiral of Sweden
The Lord High Admiral or Admiral of the Realm was a prominent and influential office in Sweden, from c. 1571 until 1676, excluding periods when the office was out of use. The office holder was a member of the Swedish Privy Council and the head of the navy and Admiralty of Sweden...
, Lord High Constable of Sweden
Lord High Constable of Sweden
The Lord High Constable was a prominent and influential office in Sweden, from the 13th century until 1676, excluding periods when the office was out of use. The office holder was a member of the Swedish Privy Council and, from 1630 and on, the head of the Swedish Council of War...
(marsk) and Governor General of Finland, was created on 2 August 1569 baron of the barony of Vik. His male line went extinct in the Åbo Bloodbath
Åbo bloodbath
The Åbo Bloodbath of 10 November 1599 was a public execution in the Finnish town of Åbo , then part of the Kingdom of Sweden, in the context of the War against Sigismund and the Club War...
on 10 November 1599.
When the Swedish House of Knights
Swedish House of Knights
The Swedish House of Nobility maintains records and acts as an interest group on behalf of the Swedish nobility.-Name:The name means either the corporation of the Swedish nobility or the palace of the nobility....
was established, the family of Fleming of Louhisaari, noble since time immemorial, was registered there, under number 4 of untitled nobility.
The Over-Governor, or Överståthållaren of Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
was the highest official for the City between 1634 and 1967. The Office was instituted by the Instrument of Government
Instrument of Government (1634)
The Instrument of Government of 1634 was Sweden's first. It regulated some of the administration, judiciary and the military. It was never accepted by the monarch but was nonetheless in use until Charles XI became an absolute monarch.-See also:...
of 1634,
Sir Klas or Claes Larsson Fleming (Flemingvaesnsjigirhgarg) (1592–1644), was an admiral and the first Over-Governor of Stockholm
Over-Governor of Stockholm
The Over-Governor, or Överståthållaren of Stockholm was the highest official for the City between 1634 and 1967. The Office was instituted by the Instrument of Government of 1634, which divided Sweden into Counties and the Over-Governorship of Stockholm...
(1634–1644) after the office was instituted by the Instrument of Government
Instrument of Government (1634)
The Instrument of Government of 1634 was Sweden's first. It regulated some of the administration, judiciary and the military. It was never accepted by the monarch but was nonetheless in use until Charles XI became an absolute monarch.-See also:...
of 1634. His children were elevated to the friherre rank on 26 March 1651 by queen Christina of Sweden
Christina of Sweden
Christina , later adopted the name Christina Alexandra, was Queen regnant of Swedes, Goths and Vandals, Grand Princess of Finland, and Duchess of Ingria, Estonia, Livonia and Karelia, from 1633 to 1654. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolph and his wife Maria Eleonora...
, with the title Baron of Liebelitz, due to service and accomplishments of the late father. This lineage continues to present day.
Sir Eric Fleming (1616–79), provincial governor, president, chamber councillor, afterwards Marshal of Nobility
Marshal of Nobility
Marshal of Nobility was an elected position in Russian local self-government prior to the Russian Revolution of 1917.- History :Nobility of each province formed a corporation, Noble Society , governed by the Assembly of Nobility with an elected Marshal of Nobility at its head...
(lantmarskalk
Lantmarskalk
Lantmarskalk, or "Lord Marshal", was the title of one of the speakers of the Swedish Riksdag of the Estates, from 1627 to 1866 and of the Diet of Grand Duchy of Finland from 1809 to 1906. The Lantmarskalk was appointed by the Estate of the Nobles and also served as its speaker...
en) was created Baron of Lais on 12 May 1654 by queen Christina of Sweden
Christina of Sweden
Christina , later adopted the name Christina Alexandra, was Queen regnant of Swedes, Goths and Vandals, Grand Princess of Finland, and Duchess of Ingria, Estonia, Livonia and Karelia, from 1633 to 1654. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolph and his wife Maria Eleonora...
. His male line went extinct 29 July 1786.
Widow and children of Baron Claes Fleming af Liebelitz (1649–85), Marshal of Nobility, Lord High Treasurer of Sweden
Lord High Treasurer of Sweden
The Lord High Treasurer was a highly prominent member of the Swedish Privy Council between 1602 and 1684, excluding periods when the office was out of use...
, president, a grandson of late sir Claes the admiral, were elevated on 10 December 1687 by king Charles XI of Sweden
Charles XI of Sweden
Charles XI also Carl, was King of Sweden from 1660 until his death, in a period in Swedish history known as the Swedish empire ....
to the comital rank with the title 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...
to all male-line descendants. Their male line went extinct on 15 November 1729.
Baron Claes Adolf Fleming (1771–1831), councillor of state, Lord High Constable of Sweden
Lord High Constable of Sweden
The Lord High Constable was a prominent and influential office in Sweden, from the 13th century until 1676, excluding periods when the office was out of use. The office holder was a member of the Swedish Privy Council and, from 1630 and on, the head of the Swedish Council of War...
was created count on 11 May 1818, but he did not leave any surviving male descendants.
Description of the Coat of Arms
In Swedish: Vapenbeskrivning"...Een fyradubbel fördeelt sköldh, der mit uthi deres förre och gamble Flemminge vapn. Uthi den öfverste skölden på högre sijdan ett skepp i fulle segel uthi blådt feldt. Uthi den nederste på vänstre tree rödha blomster eller blommor medh sine oprättstående stielckar i lijka motto uthi blådt felt. Uthi den öfverste skölden på vänstre sijdan tvänne skytt, vändande sigh emoot skeppet medh uthfräsande eldh eller lågha uthur munnen och fängpannan uthi guhlt felt, och uthi den niderste på högre sidan ett slott. Ofvan opå skölden tvenne öpne tornerehielmar, täcken och crantzerne medh guhlt, rödt, hvitt och blådt fördeelte, hvarthere hielmen medh een frijherre chrona opå. Öfver den högre hielmchronan står det gamble Flemminge vapnet och uthur den vänstre hielmkronan opstå tree röde blomster eller blommor medh sine oprättstående stielkar, aldeles som hele dette vapn medh sine egendtlige färgor härhoos repraesenterat och afmåhlat står..."