| Baron Clas Eriksson Fleming | |
|---|---|
| 1st Lord High Admiral of Sweden | |
In office 1571?[1] 1588?[2] – 1591? | |
| Succeeded by | Axel Nilsson Ryning |
| Lord High Constable of Sweden | |
In office 1591? – ? | |
| Preceded by | Gustaf Olofsson Stenbock |
| Succeeded by | Magnus Brahe |
| 1st Governor-General of Finland | |
In office 1594 – ? | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1535 Pargas, Sweden (now in Finland) |
| Died | 13 April 1597 Pojo, Sweden (now part of Raseborg in Finland) |
| Spouse(s) | Ebba Stenbock |
| Children | Johan Fleming |
Baron Clas Eriksson Fleming (Finnish language: Klaus Fleming ) (1535, Pargas, Sweden – 13 April 1597, Pohja, Sweden) 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. He was a trustee of Swedish kings John III and Sigismund Vasa.
The regent duke Charles (later king Charles IX) insulting the corpse of Clas Eriksson Fleming in presence of the Dowager-Governor of Åbo, Ebba Stenbock. Albert Edelfelt’s painting, 1878.
In 1569 Fleming became a member of the Privy Council, in 1571 he was made Lord High Admiral and in 1590 Lord High Constable. As the Governor of Finland and Estonia he carried the duties of the highest authority of Finland and Estonia for the Swedish realm, next only to the king of Sweden. He was a strong supporter of the legitimate king of Sweden Sigismund Vasa and for that an enemy of the duke Charles of Sudermania.
Fleming's father – a grandson of Björn Ragvaldsson – was the Councilor of State Erik Fleming (1487–1548), also a remarkable man and King Gustav Vasa's favourite. Fleming's sons were executed in the Åbo Bloodbath of 1599.
When studying Swedish history of the time it is noteworthy to know there were many persons in similar position with the name Clas Fleming at the time. Clas Eriksson Flemming should not be mixed with Claes Larsson Fleming (1592–1644), admiral and advisor to the king, or Claes Fleming (1649–1685), nobleman and politician.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Nordisk Familjebok - Riksamiral" (in Swedish). Nordisk Familjebok at runeberg.org. 1916. http://runeberg.org/nfcc/0167.html. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
- ↑ Hofberg, Herman; Heurlin, Millqvist & Rubensson (1906). "Svenskt biografiskt handlexikon - Klas Fleming" (in Swedish). Svenskt biografiskt handlexikon at runeberg.org. http://runeberg.org/sbh/a0338.html. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
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