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Per Brahe (the younger)
Encyclopedia
Count Per Brahe the Younger (February 18, 1602 – September 2, 1680) was a Swedish
soldier and statesman. He was a Privy Councillor
from 1630 and Lord High Steward
from 1640.
Brahe was born on the island of Rydboholm (now in Österåker Municipality
) in Uppland
. He was the grandson of Per Brahe (the elder)
(1520–1590), one of Gustavus Vasa
's Privy Councillors
, created count of Visingsborg by Eric XIV of Sweden
, known also as the continuator
of Peder Svart's chronicle of Gustavus, and author of Oeconomia in 1585, a manual for young noblemen. Per Brahe the younger, after completing his education by several years’ travel abroad, became in 1626 chamberlain to Gustavus Adolphus, whose lasting friendship he gained.
He fought with distinction in Prussia
during the last three years of the Polish War (1626–1629) and also, as colonel of a regiment of horse, in 1630 in Germany. After the death of Gustavus Adolphus in 1632 his military yielded to his political activity. He had been elected president or Lantmarskalk ath the Riksdag
of 1629, and in the following year was created a Privy Councillor
. In 1635 he conducted the negotiations for an armistice with Poland
(Treaty of Stuhmsdorf).
In 1637–1640 and again in 1648–1654 he was Governor General in Finland
, to which country he rendered inestimable services by his wise and provident rule. He reformed the whole administration, introduced a postal system, founded ten new towns, improved and developed commerce and agriculture, and very greatly promoted education. In 1640 he opened the Royal Academy of Turku, of which he was the founder, and first chancellor. Still today the expression "Kreivin aikaan", or "at Count's Time" in the Finnish language
means "at the correct/good time". The base of his statue
in Turku
bears the inscription "I was well pleased with the land and the land with me".
After the death of Charles X of Sweden
in 1660, Brahe, as Lord High Steward
, became one of the regents of Sweden for the second time (he had held a similar office during the minority of Christina, 1632–1644), and during the difficult year 1660 he had entire control of both foreign and domestic affairs. He died on September 2, 1680, at his castle
Bogesund in Uppland
. He also held the castles Visingsborg at Visingsö
and Brahehus
on the mainland by Gränna
, where during his lifetime he had held more than regal pomp.
The town of Raahe
is named after him.
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....
soldier and statesman. He was a Privy Councillor
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...
from 1630 and Lord High Steward
Lord High Steward of Sweden
The Lord High Steward or Lord High Justiciar was a highly prominent member of the Swedish Privy Council from the 13th century until 1809, excluding periods when the office was out of use....
from 1640.
Brahe was born on the island of Rydboholm (now in Österåker Municipality
Österåker Municipality
Österåker Municipality is a municipality in Stockholm County in east central Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Åkersberga, with a population of 26,727 .From 1974 to 1982 Österåker was part of Vaxholm Municipality....
) in Uppland
Uppland
Uppland is a historical province or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden, just north of Stockholm, the capital. It borders Södermanland, Västmanland and Gästrikland. It is also bounded by lake Mälaren and the Baltic sea...
. He was the grandson of Per Brahe (the elder)
Per Brahe (the elder)
Per Brahe the elder was a Swedish statesman.Brahe was the nephew of King Gustavus Vasa and was among the first members of the Swedish nobility to be created a count when titles of nobility were introduced by King Eric XIV on the occasion of his coronation in 1561. Count Peter's county was...
(1520–1590), one of Gustavus Vasa
Gustav I of Sweden
Gustav I of Sweden, born Gustav Eriksson of the Vasa noble family and later known simply as Gustav Vasa , was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death....
's Privy Councillors
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...
, created count of Visingsborg by 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....
, known also as the continuator
Continuator
A continuator, in literature, is a writer who creates a new work based on someone else's prior text, such as a novel or novel fragment. The new work may complete the older work , or may try to serve as a sequel or prequel to the older work A continuator, in literature, is a writer who creates a new...
of Peder Svart's chronicle of Gustavus, and author of Oeconomia in 1585, a manual for young noblemen. Per Brahe the younger, after completing his education by several years’ travel abroad, became in 1626 chamberlain to Gustavus Adolphus, whose lasting friendship he gained.
He fought with distinction in Prussia
Royal Prussia
Royal Prussia was a Region of the Kingdom of Poland and of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth . Polish Prussia included Pomerelia, Chełmno Land , Malbork Voivodeship , Gdańsk , Toruń , and Elbląg . It is distinguished from Ducal Prussia...
during the last three years of the Polish War (1626–1629) and also, as colonel of a regiment of horse, in 1630 in Germany. After the death of Gustavus Adolphus in 1632 his military yielded to his political activity. He had been elected president or Lantmarskalk ath the Riksdag
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...
of 1629, and in the following year was created a Privy Councillor
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...
. In 1635 he conducted the negotiations for an armistice with Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
(Treaty of Stuhmsdorf).
In 1637–1640 and again in 1648–1654 he was Governor General in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, to which country he rendered inestimable services by his wise and provident rule. He reformed the whole administration, introduced a postal system, founded ten new towns, improved and developed commerce and agriculture, and very greatly promoted education. In 1640 he opened the Royal Academy of Turku, of which he was the founder, and first chancellor. Still today the expression "Kreivin aikaan", or "at Count's Time" in the Finnish language
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
means "at the correct/good time". The base of his statue
Per Brahe Statue
thumb|200px|Per Brahe statue in 1900The Per Brahe statue is a monument of the general governor of Finland and first chancellor of the Academy of Turku, located in Brahenpuisto in Turku, Finland. It was designed by Walter Runeberg and revealed in 1888....
in Turku
Turku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
bears the inscription "I was well pleased with the land and the land with me".
After the death of Charles X of Sweden
Charles X Gustav of Sweden
Charles X Gustav also Carl Gustav, was King of Sweden from 1654 until his death. He was the son of John Casimir, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken-Kleeburg and Catherine of Sweden. After his father's death he also succeeded him as Pfalzgraf. He was married to Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp, who...
in 1660, Brahe, as Lord High Steward
Lord High Steward of Sweden
The Lord High Steward or Lord High Justiciar was a highly prominent member of the Swedish Privy Council from the 13th century until 1809, excluding periods when the office was out of use....
, became one of the regents of Sweden for the second time (he had held a similar office during the minority of Christina, 1632–1644), and during the difficult year 1660 he had entire control of both foreign and domestic affairs. He died on September 2, 1680, at his castle
Bogesund in Uppland
Uppland
Uppland is a historical province or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden, just north of Stockholm, the capital. It borders Södermanland, Västmanland and Gästrikland. It is also bounded by lake Mälaren and the Baltic sea...
. He also held the castles Visingsborg at Visingsö
Visingsö
Visingsö is an island in the southern half of the lake Vättern in Sweden.Visingsö lies 30 km north of the city Jönköping and 6 km west of Gränna from which two car ferries connects the island...
and Brahehus
Brahehus
The ruins of Brahehus Castle are situated outside Gränna in Jönköping County in the province of Småland, Sweden. From the ruins you have a fantastic view of lakes Vättern and Visingsö. Built for Count Per Brahe the Younger in the 1640s, the castle is now close to the E4 highway....
on the mainland by Gränna
Gränna
Gränna is a locality situated in Jönköping Municipality, Jönköping County, Sweden with 2,578 inhabitants in 2005. It is situated in Småland on the eastern shores of the lake Vättern, about 35 km north of Jönköping....
, where during his lifetime he had held more than regal pomp.
The town of Raahe
Raahe
Raahe is a town and municipality of Finland. Founded by Swedish statesman and Governor General of Finland Count Per Brahe the younger in 1649, it is one of 10 historic wooden towns remaining in Finland. Examples of other Finnish historic wooden towns are Kaskinen , Old Rauma, Porvoo , Jakobstad ,...
is named after him.
See also
- Nils BraheNils BraheCount Nils Brahe was a Swedish soldier and younger brother of Per Brahe. He served with distinction under King Gustavus Adolphus, who regarded him as the best general in the Swedish army after Lennart Torstenson....
- Nils Magnus Brahe