A Governor-General ( sv, generalguvernör) was appointed by the

Swedish monarch The monarchy of Sweden is the monarchical head of state of Sweden,See the #IOG, Instrument of Government, Chapter 1, Article 5. which is a constitutional monarchy, constitutional and hereditary monarchy with a parliamentary system.Parliamentary ...

as his permanent representative, with both civil and military jurisdiction, over parts of

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

, from the 17th century to the early 19th century, when constitutional changes made the office obsolete. A

Governor-General Governor-general (plural ''governors-general''), or governor general (plural ''governors general''), is the title of an office-holder. In the context of governors-general and former British colonies, governors-general are appointed as viceroy t ...

was always appointed as the highest representative of the Swedish monarch in the

dominions The term ''Dominion'' is used to refer to one of several self-governing nations of the British Empire. "Dominion status" was first accorded to Canada, Australia, Dominion of New Zealand, New Zealand, Dominion of Newfoundland, Newfoundland, Un ...

ruled, or the

possessions Possession may refer to: Law *Dependent territory, an area of land over which another country exercises sovereignty, but which does not have the full right of participation in that country's governance *Drug possession, a crime *Ownership *Per ...

governed, by Sweden. Conquered, and unintegrated, territories were apart from this, more or less allowed to retain their internal political structure. The term

viceroy A viceroy () is an official who reigns over a polity in the name of and as the representative of the monarch of the territory. The term derives from the Latin prefix ''vice-'', meaning "in the place of" and the French word ''roy'', meaning "k ...

is better reserved for the ''

stattholder The history of Norway has been influenced to an extraordinary degree by the terrain and the climate of the region. About 10,000 BC, following the retreat inland of the great ice sheets, the earliest inhabitants migrated north into the territor ...

'', the representative of the Swedish monarch in

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...

when that neighboring country was in personal union with Sweden, as it concerns a whole kingdom, and notably in the several cases where the incumbent was no lesser than the Swedish crown prince. Governors-General could also be appointed over parts of

Sweden proper Sweden proper ( sv, Egentliga Sverige) is a term used to distinguish those territories that were fully integrated into the Kingdom of Sweden, as opposed to the dominions and possessions of, or states in union with, Sweden. Only the estates of t ...

, today's

and

Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...

, and usually consisting of several counties in that part of the country, when circumstances so required. When this happened the '' royal governor'' of each county would report to the Governor-General instead of directly to the monarch or the Privy Council. A royal governor, regardless if whether under a Governor-General or not, held the civil, but not the military, jurisdiction over his county. The Governors-General were always members of the

Privy Council A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a state, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the mon ...

. The list of Governors-General given below is not complete. Some of those listed held the title of governor, not Governor-General.

Finland

The following were the Governors-General of

: * *

Gabriel Bengtsson Oxenstierna Gabriel Bengtsson Oxenstierna af Korsholm och Wasa, 1st Count of Korsholma and Vaasa, Finnish: ''Gabriel Pentinpoika Oxenstierna'', (18 March 1586 at Lindholmen Castle, Västergötland – 12 December 1656 at Edsberg Manor, Sollentuna) was a ...

(1631–) *

Per Brahe the Younger Count Per Brahe the Younger (18 February 1602 – 12 September 1680) was a Swedish soldier, statesman, and author. He served as Privy Councillor from 1630, Lord High Steward from 1640, as well as Governor-General of Finland in 1637–1640 and 16 ...

(1637–; 1648–1654) * * (1664–1669) * *

Carl Nieroth Carl Gustaf von Nieroth (died 1712) was a Swedish officer and Governor-General of Swedish Estonia 1709–1710 (though not formally installed) and of Finland 1710–1712. The exact date and location of his birth are unknown, but believed to be in ...

(1710–1712)

Ingria

The following were the Governors-General of Ingria: *

Carl Carlsson Gyllenhielm Baron Carl Carlsson Gyllenhielm (4 March 1574 – 17 March 1650) was a Swedish soldier and politician. He was made a baron (''friherre'') in 1615, appointed Field Marshal in 1616, Privy Councilor in 1617, Governor General of Ingria in 1617 a ...

(1617–) * Nils Assersson Mannersköld (1626–1629) *

Johan Skytte Johan Skytte (1577, in Nyköping – 15 March 1645, in Söderåkra, Sweden) was a Swedish statesman, and the founder of the ''Academia Gustaviana'' (today's University of Tartu in Estonia), in 1632. He was a son of the mayor of Nyköping, Bengt ...

(1629–1633) * Bengt Bengtsson Oxenstierna (1634–1643) * Erik Stenbock (1651–1654) *

Gustaf Evertsson Horn Baron Gustav Evertsson Horn of Marienburg (28 May 1614 – 27 February 1666) was a Finnish-Swedish military man and politician. He was a member of the Privy Council of Sweden and Governor General. Horn, the son of Field Marshal Evert Horn, was ...

(1654–1657) * Krister Klasson Horn af Åminne (1657–1659) * Simon Grundel-Helmfelt (1659) * Jacob Johan Taube (1660–1668) * Simon Grundel-Helmfelt (1668–1673) * Jacob Johan Taube (1673–1681) * Martin Schultz (von Ascheraden) (1681–1682) ''(governor)'' *

Hans von Fersen d.ä. Hans may refer to: __NOTOC__ People * Hans (name), a masculine given name * Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician ** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans ** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi a ...

(1682–1683) ''(governor)'' *

Göran Sperling Göran or Jöran (both pronounced ) is the Swedish language, Swedish form of George (given name), George, not to be confused with the Slavic languages, Slavic Goran (Slavic name), Goran. Notable people with the name include: *Göran Andersson, S ...

(1683–1690) *

Otto Wilhelm von Fersen Otto Wilhelm von Fersen (1623, Reval – 1703, Kurna) was a Swedish general and nobleman of the Fersen family, governor general of Ingmermanland and Kexholm from 1691 to 1698, field marshal 1693. He was the son of Hermann von Fersen the elder ...

(1691–1698) *

Otto Vellingk Count Otto Ottoson Vellingk (1649- 1708) was a Swedish general during the Great Northern War. Biography He was born in Jama in Swedish Ingria to Otto Gotthardsson Vellingk and Christina Nilsdotter Mannersköld. In 1664, Vellingk became a lieu ...

(1698–1708)

Estonia

The following were the Governors-General of

Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, a ...

: * Anders Torstenson (1674–1681) * Robert Lichton (1681–1687) *

Nils Turesson Bielke Nils Turesson Bielke (5 November 1569 – 17 December 1639) was a Swedish statesman, member of the privy council, son of Ture Pedersson Bielke. Career Nils Turesson Bielke was an ardent supporter of Duke Carl which rewarded his fidelity i ...

(1687) * Axel Julius De la Gardie (1687–1704) *

Wolmar Anton von Schlippenbach Wolmar Anton von Schlippenbach (1653–1721) was Governor General of Swedish Estonia from 1704 to 1706. Biography Born in Livonia, into the Schlippenbach noble family participated as a captain in the Swedish army Scanian War under Charles XI and s ...

(1704–1706) *

Niels Jonsson Stromberg af Clastorp Niels Jonsson Stromberg af Clastorp (March 25, 1646 – August 16, 1723) was a Swedish soldier and Governor-General of Swedish Estonia from 1706 to 1709. He was born with the family name Brattman which was ennobled to Strömberg in 1674, and after ...

(1706–1709) *

(1709–1710)

Livonia

The following were the Governors-General of Livonia: * Jacob De la Gardie (1622–1628) *

(1629–1634) * Bengt Oxenstierna (1634–1643) *

Herman Wrangel Herman Wrangel (born 1584/1587 – 10 December 1643) was a Swedish military officer and politician of Baltic German extraction. Biography Herman von Wrangel was born in Livonia. He came to Sweden around 1608. In 1612, he participated in the ...

(1643) * Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie (1655–) *

Jacob Johan Hastfer Jacob Johan Hastfer (11 December 1647 Tallinn – 24 December 1695 Riga) was a Swedish officer and governor of the Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Lief ...

(1687–1695) *

Erik Dahlberg '' Count Erik Jönsson Dahlbergh (10 October 162516 January 1703) was a Sweden, Swedish military engineer, Governor-general and Field marshal. He rose to the level of nobility through his military competence. As an architect and draftsman, he w ...

(1696–1702) * Carl Gustaf Frölich (1702–1706) * Adam Ludwig Lewenhaupt (1706–1709) * Henrik Otto Albedyll (1709) *

(1709–1710)

Karelia

The following were the Governors-General of

Karelia Karelia ( Karelian and fi, Karjala, ; rus, Каре́лия, links=y, r=Karélija, p=kɐˈrʲelʲɪjə, historically ''Korjela''; sv, Karelen), the land of the Karelian people, is an area in Northern Europe of historical significance for ...

: *

(1629–1634)

Scania

The Scanian Dominion ( sv, Skånska Generalguvernementet), was established after the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658 and initially included all of Skåneland. In 1660, Bornholm was returned to Denmark.

Blekinge Blekinge (, old da, Bleking) is one of the traditional Swedish provinces (), situated in the southern coast of the geographic region of Götaland, in southern Sweden. It borders Småland, Scania and the Baltic Sea. It is the country's second ...

, which had been part of

Kristianstad County Kristianstad County ( sv, Kristianstads län) was a county of Sweden from 1719 to 31 December 1996 when it was merged with Malmöhus County to form Skåne County. The seat of residence for the Governor was in Kristianstad. See also * List of gov ...

while under the dominion, was removed in 1680 and placed under

Kalmar County Kalmar County () is a county or '' län'' in southern Sweden. It borders the counties of Kronoberg, Jönköping, Blekinge and Östergötland. To the east in the Baltic Sea is the island Gotland. The counties are mainly administrative units. Geo ...

. The dominion was suspended in 1670, but recreated during the

Scanian War The Scanian War ( da, Skånske Krig, , sv, Skånska kriget, german: Schonischer Krieg) was a part of the Northern Wars involving the union of Denmark–Norway, Brandenburg and Sweden. It was fought from 1675 to 1679 mainly on Scanian soil, ...

. In 1675, Bohus County was added and it remained administered by the Scanian Governors-General until 1693.

Halland County Halland County ( sv, Hallands län, link=no, ) is a county ('' län'') on the western coast of Sweden. It corresponds roughly to the cultural and historical province of Halland. The capital is Halmstad. It borders the counties of Västra Göta ...

was removed from the dominion in 1693 and for the periods 1693–1719 and 1801–1809, the dominion included the counties in the province of

Scania Scania, also known by its native name of Skåne (, ), is the southernmost of the historical provinces of Sweden, provinces (''landskap'') of Sweden. Located in the south tip of the geographical region of Götaland, the province is roughly conte ...

only. The following were the Governors-General of Scania: *

Gustaf Otto Stenbock Count Gustaf Otto Stenbock (7 September 1614 – 24 September 1685) was a Swedish soldier and politician. He was son of Friherre Gustav Eriksson Stenbock (1575–1629) and Countess Beata Margareta Brahe (1583–1645), born in Torpa, Länghem par ...

(1658–1664) (

Bornholm Bornholm () is a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, to the east of the rest of Denmark, south of Sweden, northeast of Germany and north of Poland. Strategically located, Bornholm has been fought over for centuries. It has usually been ruled by ...

was returned to

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark ...

in 1660.) *

Gustaf Persson Banér Gustav, Gustaf or Gustave may refer to: * Gustav (name), a male given name of Old Swedish origin Art, entertainment, and media * ''Primeval'' (film), a 2007 American horror film * ''Gustav'' (film series), a Hungarian series of animated short car ...

(1664–1669) *

Fabian von Fersen Baron Fabian von Fersen (February 7, 1626 – July 30, 1677) was a Swedish general, freelord, field-marshal and Governor-General in the Swedish Realm, governor general of Skåne, Halland and Blekinge. He served the Swedish Empire in multip ...

(1676–1677) *

(1677–1679) *

Johan Gyllenstierna Johan * Johan (given name) * ''Johan'' (film), a 1921 Swedish film directed by Mauritz Stiller * Johan (band), a Dutch pop-group ** ''Johan'' (album), a 1996 album by the group * Johan Peninsula, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada * Jo-Han, a manu ...

(1679–1680) * Rutger von Ascheberg (1680–1693) (Bohus County added 1675; Blekinge removed 1680.) The following were the Governors-General of Scania (the province only): *

(1693–1698) *

Carl Gustaf Rehnskiöld Carl may refer to: *Carl, Georgia, city in USA *Carl, West Virginia, an unincorporated community *Carl (name), includes info about the name, variations of the name, and a list of people with the name *Carl², a TV series * "Carl", an episode of tel ...

(July 4, 1698 – December 27, 1705) * Magnus Stenbock (December 27, 1705–1711) *

Jacob Burenskiöld Jacob (; ; ar, يَعْقُوب, Yaʿqūb; gr, Ἰακώβ, Iakṓb), later given the name Israel, is regarded as a patriarch of the Israelites and is an important figure in Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jac ...

(1711–1716) * Carl Gustaf Skytte (1716–1719) *

Carl Gustaf Hård Carl may refer to: * Carl, Georgia, city in USA * Carl, West Virginia, an unincorporated community *Carl (name), includes info about the name, variations of the name, and a list of people with the name * Carl², a TV series * "Carl", an episode of ...

(1717–1719) * Johan Christopher Toll (February 9, 1801 – March 27, 1809)

Prussia

The following were the Governors-General of

Prussia Prussia, , Old Prussian: ''Prūsa'' or ''Prūsija'' was a German state on the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea. It formed the German Empire under Prussian rule when it united the German states in 1871. It was ''de facto'' dissolved by an em ...

: *

Axel Oxenstierna Axel Gustafsson Oxenstierna af Södermöre (; 1583–1654), Count of Södermöre, was a Swedish statesman. He became a member of the Swedish Privy Council in 1609 and served as Lord High Chancellor of Sweden from 1612 until his death. He was a c ...

(1626–1631)

Pomerania

The following were the Governors-General of

Pomerania Pomerania ( pl, Pomorze; german: Pommern; Kashubian: ''Pòmòrskô''; sv, Pommern) is a historical region on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea in Central Europe, split between Poland and Germany. The western part of Pomerania belongs to ...

: *1631–1633

Klas Horn Baron Klas Kristersson Horn (1517 – September 9, 1566) was a Finnish born, Swedish nobleman and Naval Admiral who fought for Sweden in the Northern Seven Years' War of 1563–1570. Biography Horn was born at Åminne Manor in Halikko, Finland ...

*1633–1638 Sten Svantesson Bielke *1638–1641 Johan Banér *1641–1648

Lennart Torstenson Lennart Torstensson, Count of Ortala, Baron of Virestad (17 August 16037 April 1651), was a Swedish Field Marshal and military engineer. Early career He was born at Forstena manor in Västergötland. His parents were Märta Nilsdotter Posse a ...

*1648–1650 Carl Gustaf Wrangel *1650–1652 Johan Axelsson Oxenstierna *1652–1661(?)

Axel Lillie Count Axel Lillie, also spelled Lillje (23 July 1603 – 20 December 1662) was a Swedish soldier and politician. He was appointed Lieutenant Governor General of Pomerania in 1643, Privy Councilor in 1648, Governor General of Pomerania in 1652 ...

*1661–1676(?) Carl Gustaf Wrangel *1678–1679 ''possessed by Brandenburg'' *1679–1685 Otto Wilhelm Königsmarck *1687–1698

Nils Bielke Count Nils Bielke (7 February 1644 in Stockholm – 26 November 1716) was a member of the High Council of Sweden, military and politician. Born the eldest son of Baron Ture Nilsson Bielke, who died in 1648, Queen Christina granted the young b ...

*1698–1711

Jürgen Mellin Jürgen or Jurgen is a popular masculine given name in Germany, Estonia, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is cognate with George. Notable people named Jürgen include: A * Jürgen Ahrend (born 1930), German organ builder *Jürgen Alzen (born 1 ...

*1715–1720 ''possessed by Prussia and Denmark'' *1720–1747 Johan August Meijerfeldt d.ä. *1748–1766

Axel Löwen Axel Löwen (1 November 1686 – 25 July 1773) was a count and Swedish Knight of the Seraphim, Commander of the Order of the Sword and privy counsellor. Löwen was a volunteer in the Fortification Corps in 1702, got his main military education a ...

*1766–1772 Hans Henrik von Liewen d.y. *1772–1776 Fredrik Carl Sinclair *1776–1791 Fredrik Vilhelm von Hessenstein *1792–1796 Eric Ruuth *1796–1800 Philip von Platen *1800–1807 Hans Henric von Essen *1807–1809 ''possessed by France'' *1811–1812 Carl Mörner af Tuna *1813-1815 Wilhelm Malte zu Putbus *1815 ce''ded to Prussia''

Bremen-Verden

The following were the Governors-General of Bremen-Verden: * Jurgen Mellin (1696–1698) * Nils Carlsson Gyllenstierna af Fogelvik (1698–1711) * Mauritz von Vellingk (1711–1712)

References

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