From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The
Lord High Chancellor
(
Swedish
:
Rikskansler
), literally
Chancellor of the Realm
, was a prominent and influential office in Sweden, from 1538 until 1799, excluding periods when the office was out of use. The office holder was a member of the
Privy Council
. From 1634, the Lord High Chancellor was one of five
Great Officers of the Realm
, who were the most prominent members of the Privy Council and headed a governmental branch each?the Lord High Chancellor headed the Privy Council. In 1792, more than a century after the office's abolition in 1680, it was revived, but was then finally abolished again seven years later in 1799.
[1]
Origins
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During the Middle Ages, from the 13th century, the "chancellor of the King" was a close confidant of the King. The chancellor was in general a man of the church, and one part of his duty was to aid the King during negotiations with foreign powers. In 1560, during
King Eric XIV's
reign,
Nils Gyllenstierna
became the first to receive the title
Rikskansler
.
[1]
Function
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The Lord High Chancellor was appointed by the King and was assigned to ensure that the orders of the King and the
Riksdag of the Estates
were followed. Along the way, the assignments of the chancellor increased to the amount that a chancellery, the
Privy Council
, had to be established. In 1634, the five
Great Officers of the Realm
were introduced as the most powerful among the Privy Council members. The Chancellor was fourth in rank among these. Albeit fourth in rank, the Lord High Chancellor became the most important figure in the
Privy Council of Sweden
. The Chancellor was responsible for maintaining relations with foreign powers and especially
Axel Oxenstierna
possessed massive influence during his tenure as Chancellor (1612?1654), when he more or less had the role of a
head of government
.
[1]
[2]
Abolition and revival of the office
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In 1680,
King Charles XI
abolished the office and inaugurated a new position instead ? "
President of the Chancellery
" (Swedish:
Kanslipresident
). In 1792, during the minority reign of
King Gustav IV Adolph
the office of
Rikskansler
was revived, but it was abolished once again in 1799.
[1]
Lord High Chancellors of Sweden
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First creation
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Second creation
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Portrait
|
Name
|
Lifespan
|
Term began
|
Term ended
|
Monarch(s)
|
|
Fredrik Sparre
[1]
|
(
1731-02-02
)
2 February 1731 ?
30 January 1803
(1803-01-30)
(aged 71)
|
16 July 1792
|
14 December 1799
|
Gustav IV Adolph
|
See also
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References
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External links
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