Fleming of Louhisaari

The Louhisaari noble family, otherwise known as Fleming, is a Finnish family of medieval frälse.

Its first certainly known male-line ancestor, knight Peder Klasson (sir Peder Fleming), is documented living yet in 1406. He came from Denmark to Sweden during the early reign of king Eric XIII of Sweden and is buried in the Riddarholm Church, Stockholm. He was probably son of a Claus Fleming who is mentioned as bailiff of Barth in Pomerania 1331-54 and had in principle the same Coat of Arms. The name of the family denotes some of its origin to Flanders. When having first settled in the eastern part of Sweden (modern day Finland), they soon became assimilated with the country, having married from among natives and grown into local societal activities. They inherited the manor of Louhisaari (in Swedish "Villnäs") in Finland Proper (located in the modern day municipality of Askainen).

The family was one of the most prominent in Finland at the end of Middle Ages.

The then head of the house, sir Lars Fleming (died 1562), governor of the Stockholm Palace, was among the first ones to ever be created friherre in Sweden, which took place in the coronation of Eric XIV of Sweden on 29 June 1561. Baron Lars got the title "Baron of Nynes" ("Nynäs") from one of his maternally inherited manors. His male line went extinct on 5 January 1569.

His cousin, sir Klaus Fleming (died 1535-1597), member of the Privy Council of Sweden, afterwards Lord High Admiral of Sweden, Lord High Constable of Sweden ("marsk") and Governor General of Finland, was created on 2 August 1569 baron of the barony of Vik. His male line went extinct on 10 November 1599.

When the Swedish House of Knights was established, the family of Fleming of Louhisaari, "noble since time immemorial", was registered there, under number 4 of untitled nobility.

The Over-Governor, or "Överståthållaren" of Stockholm was the highest official for the City between 1634 and 1967. The Office was instituted by the Instrument of Government of 1634,

Sir Klas or Claes Larsson Fleming (Flemingvaesnsjigirhgarg) (1592–1644), was an admiral and the first Over-Governor of Stockholm (1634–1644) after the office was instituted by the Instrument of Government of 1634. His children were elevated to the "friherre" rank on 26 March 1651 by queen Christina of Sweden, with the title Baron of Liebelitz, due to service and accomplishments of the late father. This lineage continues to present day.

Sir Eric Fleming (1616-79), provincial governor, president, chamber councillor, afterwards Marshal of Nobility ("lantmarskalken") was created Baron of Lais on 12 May 1654 by queen Christina of Sweden. His male line went extinct 29 July 1786.

Widow and children of Baron Claes Fleming af Liebelitz (1649-85), Marshal of Nobility, Lord High Treasurer of Sweden, president, a grandson of late sir Claes the admiral, were elevated on 10 December 1687 by king Charles XI of Sweden to the comital rank with the title Count to all male-line descendants. Their male line went extinct on 15 November 1729.

Baron Claes Adolf Fleming (1771-1831), councillor of state, Lord High Constable of Sweden was created count on 11 May 1818, but he did not leave any surviving male descendants.

Description of the Coat of Arms

In Swedish: Vapenbeskrivning
"...Een fyradubbel fördeelt sköldh, der mit uthi deres förre och gamble Flemminge vapn. Uthi den öfverste skölden på högre sijdan ett skepp i fulle segel uthi blådt feldt. Uthi den nederste på vänstre tree rödha blomster eller blommor medh sine oprättstående stielckar i lijka motto uthi blådt felt. Uthi den öfverste skölden på vänstre sijdan tvänne skytt, vändande sigh emoot skeppet medh uthfräsande eldh eller lågha uthur munnen och fängpannan uthi guhlt felt, och uthi den niderste på högre sidan ett slott. Ofvan opå skölden tvenne öpne tornerehielmar, täcken och crantzerne medh guhlt, rödt, hvitt och blådt fördeelte, hvarthere hielmen medh een frijherre chrona opå. Öfver den högre hielmchronan står det gamble Flemminge vapnet och uthur den vänstre hielmkronan opstå tree röde blomster eller blommor medh sine oprättstående stielkar, aldeles som hele dette vapn medh sine egendtlige färgor härhoos repraesenterat och afmåhlat står..."

References

* Publications of Swedish House of Lords

External links

* [http://www.nba.fi/sv/villnas_agarna Swedish-language article]