Admiral of the Realm was a military and political title given to nobles in Denmark-Norway ( da, Rigsadmiral), Sweden ( sv, Riksamiral) and Holy Roman Empire (german: Reichsadmiral).

Denmark-Norway and Sweden

Almost at the same time in the 1570s, both Sweden and in Denmark-Norway created the Admiral of the Realm, and almost simultaneously it was abolished in both kingdoms in the 1670s again. In both kingdoms the Admiral of the Realm was Supreme Commander of all naval forces and chairman of the admiralty. Like the Marshal of the Realm, the Reichsadmiral was also one of the treasures of the country. As a member of the Privy Council, he was comparable to a senior government official, such as a minister of the navy.

Denmark-Norway

Commander-in-chiefs ( da, øverste kaptajn) of the Danish-Norwegian fleets, appointed by the King, had existed since the beginning of the 16th century. In 1576,

Peder Munk Peder Munk of Estvadgård (1534–1623), was a Danish navigator, politician, and ambassador, who was in charge of the fleet carrying Anne of Denmark to Scotland. The events of the voyage led to witch trials and executions in Denmark and Scotland ...

was appointed the first time Admiral of the Realm ( da, Rigsens Admiral, Rigets Admiral or ) for Denmark-Norway. The position was created to serve as Commander-in-chief of the navy.

List of Danish Admirals of the Realm

Sweden

The Swedish Admiral of the Realm ( sv, Riksamiral) was a prominent and influential office in Sweden, from c. 1571 until 1676, excluding periods when the office was out of use. The office holder was a member of the Swedish Privy Council and the head of the navy and

Admiralty of Sweden Admiralty most often refers to: *Admiralty, Hong Kong *Admiralty (United Kingdom), military department in command of the Royal Navy from 1707 to 1964 *The rank of admiral *Admiralty law Admiralty can also refer to: Buildings * Admiralty, Traf ...

. From 1634, the Lord High Admiral was one of five

Great Officers of the Realm The Great Officers of the Realm (Swedish: ''De högre riksämbetsmännen'') were the five leading members of the Swedish Privy Council from the later parts of the 16th century to around 1680. With the constitution of 1634, the five officers becam ...

Holy Roman Empire

References