Sweden's Great Power Era in Varnhem
During Sweden's Great Power Era, it was important to demonstrate one's significance both in life and in death. In Varnhem Abbey Church, several families are buried, with the De la Gardie family being the most well-known.
Back to the history of Varnhem
In the burial chapel of the De la Gardie family, several generations are buried: Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie and Maria Euphrosyne, as well as their son Gustaf Adolf De la Gardie and Elisabeth Oxenstierna.
Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie and Maria Euphrosyne
Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie was born in 1622 in Reval (Tallinn), Estonia, and died in 1686 at Venngarn Castle near Sigtuna, Stockholm County (Uppland). He was a Swedish count, Marshal of the Realm, Lord High Steward, Lord High Chancellor, and poet. Son of Jacob De la Gardie and Ebba Brahe.
Maria Euphrosyne of the Palatinate, Princess of Sweden, was born in 1625 at Stegeborg Castle in Östergötland and died in 1687 at Höjentorp near Varnhem. She was the daughter of Johan Kasimir of Palatinate-Zweibrücken and Catherine of Sweden and the sister of King Charles X Gustav.
Maria Euphrosyne received a very high level education by the standards of the time as she was appointed as a study companion to the future queen, Christina.
Magnus Gabriel won Queen Christina's favour and was endowed with high honours and large grants. Later, however, he fell into disfavour. With the accession of Charles X Gustav, Magnus Gabriel regained the king's favour, primarily perhaps because Charles X Gustav was the brother of Maria Euphrosyne, Magnus Gabriel's wife. The two were married in the year 1647. Of eleven children, three lived to adulthood, and among them, only the daughter Hedvig had a child, who, however, died childless.
Influential
Magnus Gabriel held a large number of high offices, including
- 1647 Head of the Privy Council
- 1648, general in Germany
- In 1649, Governor-General in Livonia
- 1651, Lord High Marshal and Chief Marshal
- 1652, Lord High Treasurer
- Governor-General of Västergötland
- Chancellor of Uppsala University
- Upon the death of Charles X Gustav, Magnus became the Chancellor of the Realm and a member of Charles XI's regency council in accordance with his will in the year 1660.
Magnus Gabriel was also a great builder, and he had a large number of castles constructed, among those:
- Läckö Castle
- Höjentorp Castle
- Mariedal Castle
- Karlberg Palace
- Venngarn
- Jacobsdal (Ulriksdal)
- Kägleholm in Väringen
- Also owned the Arensburg Castle on Ösel for a time
A suggestion for the castle enthusiast!
The ruins of Högentorp Castle are beautifully situated in Valle, a short distance from Varnhem. Läckö Castle, in a grand location on a promontory in Lake Vänern, is just an hour away from here, and Mariedal Castle can be seen when walking the pilgrim trail from Skara to Husaby.
Magnus Gabriel's pro-French foreign policy and the misfortunes during the war of 1675-1679 led to him losing his influence. In 1680, Magnus Gabriel became Lord High Steward, which meant a retreat from national politics. Scrutiny of the regency council as well as the reduction hit him hard, and he died in poverty - a life tragedy that was expressed, among other places, in the Swedish hymn Kom, Jesus, du min Frälserman (hymn no. 621 in the Church of Sweden). Maria Euphrosyne published an extensive prayer book in 1871, the same year the couple had to leave Läckö Castle.
Magnus Gabriel made his greatest contribution as a generous patron and promoter of art and science. Through his initiative, the College of Antiquities was established in 1666.