Axel Oxenstierna

Count Axel Gustafsson Oxenstierna {{Audio|sv-Axel Oxenstierna.ogg|listen}} or Oxenstjerna (June 16, 1583 - August 28, 1654), Lord High Chancellor of Sweden, was born at Fånö in Uplandia, and received his education with his brothers at the universities of Rostock, Jena and Wittenberg. On returning home in 1603 he took up an appointment as kammarjunker to King Charles IX of Sweden. In 1606 he undertook his first diplomatic mission, to Mecklenburg, gained appointment to the Privy Council (Riksrådet) during his absence, and henceforth became one of the king's most trusted servants. In 1610 he travelled to Copenhagen with the aim of preventing war with Denmark, but unsuccessfully. This embassy has importance as marking the beginning of Oxenstierna's long diplomatic struggle with Sweden's traditional rival in the west, which he regarded as his country's most formidable enemy throughout his life.

Territorial gains for Sweden

He drew up beforehand the plan of the Torstensson War of 1643 - 1645, so brilliantly executed by Lennart Torstensson, and had the satisfaction of severely crippling Denmark by the Treaty of Brömsebro in 1645, which put Gotlandia, Ösel, Jemtia, Herdalia and for thirty years Hallandia in Swedish hands. His later years became embittered by the jealousy of the young Queen Christina of Sweden, who thwarted the old statesman in every direction. He always attributed the exiguity of Sweden's gains by the Peace of Westphalia following the conference in Osnabrück to Christina's undue interference, which merely gave Sweden Pomerania, Usedom, Wollin, Wismar and Bremen-Verden.

Related Topics:
Torstensson War - 1643 - 1645 - Lennart Torstensson - Treaty of Brömsebro - Gotlandia - Ösel - Jemtia - Herdalia - Hallandia - Christina of Sweden - Peace of Westphalia - Osnabrück - Pomerania - Usedom - Wollin - Wismar - Bremen-Verden

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Oxenstierna at first opposed the abdication of Christina, because he feared mischief to Sweden from the unruly and adventurous disposition of her appointed successor, Charles Gustavus. The extraordinary consideration shown to him by the new king ultimately, however, reconciled him to the change. He died at Stockholm on August 28, 1654.

Related Topics:
Charles Gustavus - Stockholm - August 28 - 1654

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