Gyldenløve Explained

Gyldenløve (pronounced as /da/; "Golden Lion") was a surname for several illegitimate children of Oldenburg kings of Denmark-Norway in the 17th century.

Kings

The surname Gyldenløve was given to the sons of the following Dano-Norwegian kings:

• Christian IV of Denmark (1588–1648)
• Frederick III (1648–1670)
• Christian V (1670–1699)

Christian IV

Christian IV had many illegitimate children by various mistresses. Three of his illegitimate sons were officially recognised and given the surname Gyldenløve:

• Christian Ulrik (1611–1640) by Kirsten Madsdatter
• Hans Ulrik (1615–1645) by Karen Andersdatter
• Ulrik Christian (1630–1658) by Vibeke Kruse

Frederick III

Frederick III fathered Ulrik Frederick (1638–1704) by Margrethe Pape, who was also acknowledged and given the surname Gyldenløve. Ulrik Frederick earned great respect^{[1] [2]} from Norwegians while serving as a Statholder in Norway.

Christian V

Christian V fathered five children with Sophie Amalie Moth:

• Christiane Gyldenløve (1672–1689)
• Christian Gyldenløve (1674–1703)
• Sophie Christiane Gyldenløve (1675–1684)
• Anna Christiane Gyldenløve (1676–1689)
• Ulrik Christian Gyldenløve (1678–1719), Count of Samsø. (Not to be confused with the son of Christian IV.)

See also

• Fitzroy

Notes and References

1. Edvard Holm, Danmark-Norges indre Historie under Enevælden fra 1660 til 1720, vol. 2, 1886, p. 49ff.
2. https://books.google.com/books?id=mf8HAAAAQAAJ Ludvig Daae, Det gamle Christiania 1624-1814, 1871, p. 125