Vendela Skytte
Encyclopedia
Vendela Skytte (8 December 1608 – 18 August 1629) was a Swedish noblewoman, salonist
and writer, Poet
and Lady of Letters. She has been used as an example in history to describe an ideal of a well educated woman.
and Maria Näf and married to Hans Kyle in May 1626. Her father gave his daughters the same education as his sons, and Vendela was a good student. She was accommplished in Greek, Latin, French and German and was a writer and a poet. She also corresponded in Latin. Her sister, Anna Skytte, was also admired for her learning.
Vendela Skytte was famed in her lifetime and after as a ”learned lady” for her academic accomplices and her great learning, especially within languages, and was in history made into an example to describe well educated women. She has been called the most learned woman in her country before Christina of Sweden
. She held a salon
, where she took part in the debate of the day and was admired for her intelligence and knowledge and wit. She surrounded herself with scientists and artists and corresponded with the learned Cahtarina Bureaus. She was called: »Sexus et sæculi miraculum» (”The wonder of her time and her sex”) by Georg Stiernhielm
. According to the legend, Vendela conducted a religious debate with learned Catholic men in Braunsberg, a debate she won with her verbal ability; "by which she with superior skill in Latin questioned the most sacred ideals of the Catholic religion".
She died of the plague in Stralsund
with her newborn child and left two daughters. She was brought to Sweden and buried in Uppsala
. Her daughter Hillevi Kyle was also known as one of the most learned women in her country.
In the national Swedish portrait gallery of Gripsholm, which was opened in the 1820s, she was one of the first six women of the Swedish history who was given a portrait in the collection, alongside with Bridget of Sweden
, Hedvig Charlotta Nordenflycht
, Barbro Stigsdotter (Svinhufvud), Sophia Rosenhane and Sophia Elisabet Brenner
.
Poem:
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...
and writer, Poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and Lady of Letters. She has been used as an example in history to describe an ideal of a well educated woman.
Biography
Born to statesman and noble Johan SkytteJohan Skytte
Johan Skytte was a Swedish politician.Skytte was son of the Mayor of Nyköping, Bengt Nilsson Skräddare...
and Maria Näf and married to Hans Kyle in May 1626. Her father gave his daughters the same education as his sons, and Vendela was a good student. She was accommplished in Greek, Latin, French and German and was a writer and a poet. She also corresponded in Latin. Her sister, Anna Skytte, was also admired for her learning.
Vendela Skytte was famed in her lifetime and after as a ”learned lady” for her academic accomplices and her great learning, especially within languages, and was in history made into an example to describe well educated women. She has been called the most learned woman in her country before 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...
. She held a salon
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...
, where she took part in the debate of the day and was admired for her intelligence and knowledge and wit. She surrounded herself with scientists and artists and corresponded with the learned Cahtarina Bureaus. She was called: »Sexus et sæculi miraculum» (”The wonder of her time and her sex”) by Georg Stiernhielm
Georg Stiernhielm
Georg Stiernhielm was a Swedish civil servant, linguist and poet. Stiernhielm was born in a middle-class family in the village Svartskär in Vika parish in Dalarna...
. According to the legend, Vendela conducted a religious debate with learned Catholic men in Braunsberg, a debate she won with her verbal ability; "by which she with superior skill in Latin questioned the most sacred ideals of the Catholic religion".
She died of the plague in Stralsund
Stralsund
- Main sights :* The Brick Gothic historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.* The heart of the old town is the Old Market Square , with the Gothic Town Hall . Behind the town hall stands the imposing Nikolaikirche , built in 1270-1360...
with her newborn child and left two daughters. She was brought to Sweden and buried in Uppsala
Uppsala
- Economy :Today Uppsala is well established in medical research and recognized for its leading position in biotechnology.*Abbott Medical Optics *GE Healthcare*Pfizer *Phadia, an offshoot of Pharmacia*Fresenius*Q-Med...
. Her daughter Hillevi Kyle was also known as one of the most learned women in her country.
In the national Swedish portrait gallery of Gripsholm, which was opened in the 1820s, she was one of the first six women of the Swedish history who was given a portrait in the collection, alongside with Bridget of Sweden
Bridget of Sweden
Bridget of Sweden Bridget of Sweden Bridget of Sweden (1303 – 23 July 1373; also Birgitta of Vadstena, Saint Birgitta , was a mystic and saint, and founder of the Bridgettines nuns and monks after the death of her husband of twenty years...
, Hedvig Charlotta Nordenflycht
Hedvig Charlotta Nordenflycht
Hedvig Charlotta Nordenflycht was a Swedish poet, feminist and salon hostess...
, Barbro Stigsdotter (Svinhufvud), Sophia Rosenhane and Sophia Elisabet Brenner
Sophia Elisabet Brenner
Sophia Elisabet Brenner was a Swedish writer, poet, feminist and salon hostess, and was regarded in her country as a pioneer in each of these fields.- Biography :...
.
Poem:
- "Alas, the may flys does not live longer
- They come and go with the sun.
- When the evening wind blows by your ear,
- In it is an image of my fates!
- So sad around my grave does the sylphid go
- and blow away my memory from time
- VITALIS"
Litterature
- Wilhelmina Stålberg, Anteckningar om svenska qvinnor (Notes on Swedish women)
- Women Latin Poets, Jane StevensonJane StevensonProfessor Jane Stevenson is a UK author who was born in London and brought up in London, Beijing and Bonn. She has lectured in history at Sheffield University, and teaches literature and history at the University of Aberdeen, where she is currently is the Regius Professor of Humanity...