Lord of the Realm
Encyclopedia
En af rikets herrar or Lord of the Realm was a title introduced by King Gustaf III of Sweden
after his bloodless coup d'état
in 1772, and after the new constitution was passed by the Riksdag of the Estates
. The title was not hereditary and was not connected with any special function or appointment at court or in public life. It was simply meant as a great honour bestowed upon well-deserved individuals (noblemen) after years of successful service to the King and the country.
The title gave the holder the same rank as a Privy Councillor, and he could use it in his title, e.g.:
His Excellency The High Well Born Count Axel von Fersen, one of the Lords of the Realm, Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim, Commander Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Sword
The Title was officially dropped on January 10, 1868.
One of the most famous recipients of this title and honour was Count Axel von Fersen the Younger the supposed lover and confidant of Queen Marie Antoinette
of France
.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
after his bloodless 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...
in 1772, and after the new constitution was passed by the Riksdag of the Estates
Riksdag of the Estates
The Riksdag of the Estates , was the name used for the Estates of the Swedish realm when they were assembled. Until its dissolution in 1866, the institution was the highest authority in Sweden next to the King...
. The title was not hereditary and was not connected with any special function or appointment at court or in public life. It was simply meant as a great honour bestowed upon well-deserved individuals (noblemen) after years of successful service to the King and the country.
The title gave the holder the same rank as a Privy Councillor, and he could use it in his title, e.g.:
His Excellency The High Well Born Count Axel von Fersen, one of the Lords of the Realm, Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim, Commander Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Sword
Order of the Sword
The Order of the Sword is a Swedish order of chivalry created by King Frederick I of Sweden on February 23, 1748, together with the Order of the Seraphim and the Order of the Polar Star.Awarded to officers, and originally intended as an award for bravery and particularly long or useful service, it...
The Title was officially dropped on January 10, 1868.
One of the most famous recipients of this title and honour was Count Axel von Fersen the Younger the supposed lover and confidant of Queen Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette ; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was an Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of France and of Navarre. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I....
of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.