Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve | |
---|---|
Born |
Bremen, Germany |
20 July 1638
Died | 17 April 1704 Hamburg, Germany |
(aged 65)
Resting place | Church of Our Lady, Copenhagen |
Nationality | German-Danish |
Known for |
Gyldenløve War Gyldenløbe's Mansion Reforms |
Spouse(s) | Sophie Urne Marie Grubbe Countess Antoinette Augusta of Aldenburg |
Parent(s) |
Frederick III of Denmark and Norway Margarethe Pape |
Awards | Order of the Elephant |
Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, Count of Laurvig (20 July 1638 – 17 April 1704) was the leading general in Norway during the Scanian War, whose Norwegian leg is conventionally named the "Gyldenløve War" after him. He was an acknowledged illegitimate son of King Frederick III of Denmark and Norway.
Gyldenløve was born in Bremen, Germany, the illegitimate son of Prince Frederick, later King Frederick III of Denmark, who was at the time Prince-Archbishop of Bremen and coadjutor of the Bishopric of Halberstadt. His mother was Margrethe Pape who was made Baronesse of Løvendal by King Christian IV on 15 September that same year.
When his father became King of Denmark in 1648, Ulrik Frederik assumed the name Gyldenløve which was used by illegitimate sons of Danish kings.
During the first half of the 1650s, he traveled in Europe, visiting both France, Italy and Spain. On 21 August 1655 he became a naturalised Danish noble.
In 1664 Gyldenløve was appointed Statholder (viceroy) to Norway, replacing Iver Krabbe. He studied conditions in Norway very carefully, and became a strong advocate for many important reforms, such as a simplified tax system and the establishment of a Court of appeals in Norway separate from the one in Denmark. He is also remembered for his role in the construction and improvement of nine fortresses along the Swedish border.
Gyldenløve took part in the 17th-century Dano-Swedish wars where he was particularly successful at the Battle of Nyborg on 14 November 1659. In 1666, he became commander-in-chief of the Norwegian army which was victorious in the Scanian Wars (1675–1679).