Frederik Ahlefeldt

Count Frederik of Ahlefeldt-Rixingen (German: Friedrich von Ahlefeldt; 1623 in Søgård – 7 July 1686, in Copenhagen) was a Danish landowner and statesman. By birth member of the House of Ahlefeldt, he was the first reigning Count of Rixingen. He was also Grand Chancellor during the reign of King Christian V.[1] He was also Landgrave of Langeland.

Frederik Ahlefeldt
Grand Chancellor of Denmark
PredecessorPeder Griffenfeld
SuccessorConrad von Reventlow
Full name
  • Frederik Ahlefeldt
  • German: Friedrich von Ahlefeldt
Born1623
Søgård, Denmark
Died7 July 1686(1686-07-07) (aged 62–63)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Spouse(s)
  • Margarethe Dorothea zu Rantzau
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1656; died 1665)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1668)​
FatherFrederik Ahlefeldt
MotherBrigitte Ahlefeldt (c. 1600–1632)

Early life

Ahlefeldt was born on Søgård Manor, east of Kliplev in the Southern Jutland as the eldest child and only son of Frederik of Ahlefeldt-Seestermühe (1594-1657) and his wife and relative, Birgitte of Ahlefeldt-Graasten (1600-1632). He had one younger sister, Elisabeth von Rumohr (1625-1653).

At age twenty, Ahlefeldt was sent on an educational tour of Europe, where over a six-year period he studied at universities in Jena, Bologna, Paris and Amsterdam.[2] On this tour he accompanied later danish chamberlain and queen's favourite Jacob Petersen as a valet on his travels.[3]

Career

In 1657, he was appointed to the Land Council as a commissioner. He also served in a diplomatic capacity to the state of Brandenburg on behalf of the Duke of Gottorp. In 1660, he was sent to England in a similar capacity, and there ended a trade and friendship treaty on behalf of Denmark which was signed February 1661. After his return, he was appointed as stadtholder for Copenhagen, then as a civil judge, and finally as a steward to the governor of Dithmarschen. During the early and mid 1660s he belonged to the influential circle around Hannibal Sehested, Hans Svane, Peter Bülche, Petersen and Theodor Lente, who became increasingly opposed to Frederick III's favorite Christoffer Gabel.[3]

During 1670s and up to the fall of Gabel (1617–1673), Ahlefeldt was the leading minister of the government. In 1673, he was replaced by Peder Schumacher Griffenfeld (1635-1699). Following the arrest of Griffenfeld, Ahlefeldt was made chancellor again. He held that post until 1686.[4][5]

Holdings and titles
Gråsten Manor in Sønderjylland

Ahlefeldt owned Gråsten Manor, as well as estates at Søgård, Ballegård, and Herningsholm in Herning. He spent most of his time at Gråsten.[4] On October 11, 1663, he received the Order of the Elephant.

In 1759, he received Tranekær Manor from his father-in-law as part of his wife's Dowry. In 1672, he became landgrave of the county of Langeland.

Imperial County of Rixingen

He was raised ad personam in 1665 to Heiliger Römischer Reichsgraf, Count of the Holy Roman Empire in immediate vassalage to the Holy Roman Emperor. But in 1669 he bought the County of Rixingen (later passed to the Dukes of Richelieu in 1751), thus becoming the real sovereign count. After his death, his son from his second marriage, Count Carl von Ahlefeldt, inherited the dominions of Rixingen and Mörsberg in 1686, which he later passed on to his brother-in-law, Count Friedrich Ludwig von Nassau-Ottweiler.

Marriages

On 28 December 1656, Ahlefeldt married Countess Margarethe Dorothea zu Rantzau (18 March 1642, Breitenburg – 26 August 1665, Itzehoe). The only daughter of Count Christian zu Rantzau (1614–1663), governor of the Duchy of Holstein and one of Denmark's richest men.[6] Ahlefeldt and Margarethe Dorothea had two children:

On 1 December 1668 he married Marie Elisabeth of Leiningen-Hartenburg-Dagsburg (10 March 1648, Hartenburg – 13 April 1724, Augustenburg), daughter of Friedrich Emich, Count von Leiningen-Dagsburg-Hartenburg and his wife, Countess Sibylla von Waldeck (1619-1678). Ahlefeldt and Marie Elisabeth had three children:

References
  1. "Ahlefeldt, Friedrich, 1623-1686, greve og storkansler". graenseforeningen.dk. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  2. "Friedrich Ahlefeldt". Dansk biografisk Lexikon. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  3. Jacob Petersen at Dansk Biografisk Leksikon - lex.dk
  4. "Schumacher, Peder, Greve". Dansk biografisk Lexikon. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  5. "Gabel, Christoffer, 1617-73". Dansk biografisk Lexikon. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  6. "Søgaard (Sønderjylland)". danskeherregaarde.dk. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
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