Reagalia

SWEDISH REGALIA

The most important items of the Swedish regalia are on public display at the treasury of the Royal Castle in Stockholm and include:

-The crown, the orb and the sceptre of Eric XIV from 1561,
-Gunilla Bielke’s orb and sceptre from 1585,
-Charles IX’s horn for the anointing from 1606,
-The crown, orb and sceptre of Maria Eleanora from 1620,
-The crown of Louisa Ulrica from 1751,
-The heir apparent’s crown and crowned hat of later Charles X Gustavus from 1650,
-The coronation sword of Gustavus III from 1771,
-Three princely crowns from 1771,
-The crown of Princess Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotta from 1778,
-The crown of Prince Oscar (later Oscar II) from 1844,
-The crown of Princess Eugenie from 1860,
-The crown of Prince William from 1902
and other items.

The Royal Castle in Stockholm where the Swedish regalia are kept. ©ARB

HISTORY OF THE SWEDISH REGALIA
BY MARIUSZ PAZDZIORA

Eric X was the first Swedish king known to have been crowned. His coronation took place in Gamla Uppsala in 1210. The Mediaeval Swedish kings were usually elected by acclamation at the Mora Stone near Uppsala, and although there is no trustworthy records of any pre-1210 coronations, it is impossible to prove that the tradition of anointing and crowning kings was not practiced by 1210. There is not much we know about the Mediaeval Swedish regalia, apart from the fact that they had existed. A letter written in 1311 mentions that King Birger Magnusson entrusted his regalia to the cathedral chapter in Uppsala. Another two sources, the Annals of Vadstena and the Sture Chronicles, recorded the redemption of two crowns belonging to King Eric XIII of Pomerania by King Charles VIII Knutsson (15th c.). The crowns were used during Eric XIII’s coronation at Kalmar (1397). The crowns were made of gold and adorned with gemstones. They disappeared for good in the times of King Christian I (reigned 1457-1464).

Gustavus I's sword of state and Eric XIV's sceptre, 1561

The accession of the Vasa Dynasty marked the introduction of the new Swedish regalia which has been preserved down to our own times. Unlike the Mediaeval Swedish kings, who had been crowned in many various churches across Sweden (Linköping, Söderköping, Stockholm, Strängnäs, Uppsala) the Vasa kings followed the tradition of being crowned in Uppsala and from 17th c. also in Stockholm. Two swords of state of King Gustavus I Vasa from 16th c. are the oldest pieces of Swedish regalia. His son Eric XIV made minutious preparations for his own coronation in 1561. He had instructed his envoy in London to study the English coronation ceremonies in order to employ them at Swedish coronations. The king ordered a new set of regalia for his coronation. The crown, the orb and the sceptre of Eric XIV had been made in 1561 and were used during subsequent Swedish coronations until the last one of Oscar II in 1873.
The crown of Eric XIV was made in Stockholm in 1561 by the Flemish goldsmith Cornelis ver Weiden. The crown, which is the corona clausa, is made of gold rim and four gold arches and eight palmettes. It is surmounted by a gold globe with a cross. The crown is set with numerous pearls and gemstones (diamonds, emeralds, rubies). It is adorned with enamel. Inside the crown there is a cap made of red velvet embroidered with gold and pearls. The ornament has been subjected to a number of alterations over the years and damaged on several occasions. The Chancellor Nils Gyllenstjerna had dropped it in 1568 at Eric XIV’s wedding banquet, and it fell off King Charles XII’s head following his coronation ceremony in 1697 when the king was mounting his horse. Dimensions: height - 23.7 cm, diameter of the rim - 18x24.4 cm, weight - 1.715 kg.
The sceptre of Eric XIV was made in Stockholm in 1561 by Hans Heidenrik. It is made of gold decorated with enamel, set with pearls and gems (diamonds, rubies and sapphires). Dimensions: length - 80.9 cm, weight - 1.417 kg.
The orb of Eric XIV was made in Stockholm in 1561 by Cornelis ver Weiden and in Antwerp by Frantz Beijer in 1568. It is made of gold and set with pearls. The Swedish orb is quite unique as it contains engraved map of the world executed by Frantz Beijer. The orb is toped with a small orb covered in blue enamel and with a cross on its top. The orb was damaged during the coronation of Charles XI in 1675 when the Chancellor of the Realm, Magnus de la Gardie, who carried it in the regalia procession, was thrown off by his horse. Dimensions: height - 16.5 cm, width - 11.8 cm, weight - 676 g.

Eric XIV's crown and orb, 1561

Gunilla Bjelke’s orb was made in 1585 in Stockholm by Frantz Beijer. It was made of gold and set with 27 pearls. Dimensions: height - 17.9 cm, diameter - 13.1 cm, weight - 491.5 g.
Gunilla Bjelke’s sceptre was made in 1585 in Stockholm. It was made of gold and set with 8 pearls and 12 diamonds. Dimensions: length - 68 cm, weight - 847.5 g.
Maria Eleanora’s crown was made in Stockholm in 1620 by Ruprecht Miller. It had been ordered for the wedding and coronation of the new queen because the Queen-Dowager, Christina, was still alive and used the Swedish Queen’s regalia. Maria Eleanora’s crown, which is the corona clausa, is made of gold and black and blue enamel. Richly set with diamonds and rubies. It consists of a rim and eight arches surmounted by a blue enamel globe adorned with small crowns with a cross set with diamonds on its top. In 1650 four new arches were added to the crown for the coronation of Queen Christina. In 1751 the crown underwent further alterations for the coronation of Adolphus Frederick. The crown is fitted with cap of purple atlas, gold embroidered and adorned with numerous diamonds. Dimensions: height - 18.4 cm, diameter of the rim - 17.8x21.4 cm, weight - 2.506 kg.
Maria Eleanora’s sceptre was made in Stockholm in 1620 by Ruprecht Miller. It is made of gold and it has silver gilt foot. Adorned with blue and yellow enamel and set with diamonds and rubies. Dimensions: height - 15.3 cm, weight - 410 g.
Louise Ulrica’s crown was made in 1751 in Stockholm by Andreas Almgren. The crown was commissioned for the queen’s coronation because the king was to wear Maria Eleanora’s crown. It had been designed by Jean Eric Rehn who modeled the crown on the one made in 1725 for the French Queen Maria Leszczynska of Poland. It is made of gilt silver. The crown, which is the corona clausa, consists of rim and eight arches surmounted by a blue enamel globe adorned with small crowns with a cross on its top. Originally the crown was set with 695 diamonds. Later these were replaced with polished rock crystals. The cap is made of red material embroidered with sequins. Dimensions: height - 12.6 cm, diameter of the rim - 13.1 cm, weight - 527.5 g.

Since the last Swedish coronation (1873) Swedish regalia have been displayed on a number of royal occasions such as accessions of new monarchs, royal weddings etc. In 1907 the regalia had been transferred to the vaults of the Bank of Sweden where they were kept until 1969. Since 1969 they have been on permanent exhibition in the vaults of the Treasury in the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

SWEDISH CORONATIONS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER (Year, venue, name of the crowned):
1210 GAMLA UPPSALA: Eric X
1219 LINKÖPING: John I
1224 STRÄNGNÄS: Eric XI
1251 LINKÖPING: Valdemar
1276 GAMLA UPPSALA: Magnus II
1281 SÖDERKÖPING: Helvig of Holstein, consort of Magnus II
1302 SÖDERKÖPING: Birger Magnusson and Martha of Denmark
1336 STOCKHOLM: Magnus III and Blanche of Namur
1397 KALMAR: Eric XIII of Pomerania
1406 LUND: Philippa of England, consort of Eric XIII of Pomerania
1441 UPPSALA: Christopher of Bavaria
1448 UPPSALA: Charles VIII and Catherine
1457 UPPSALA: Christian I
1497 STOCKHOLM: John II
1499 STOCKHOLM: Christina of Saxony, consort of John II
1520 STOCKHOLM: Christian II
1528 UPPSALA: Gustavus I Vasa
1531 STOCKHOLM: Catherine of Saxony-Lauenburg, consort of Gustavus I Vasa
1536 UPPSALA: Margaret Leijonhufvud, consort of Gustavus I Vasa
1552 VADSTENA: Catherine Stenbock, consort of Gustavus I Vasa
1561 UPPSALA: Eric XIV
1568 STOCKHOLM: Catherine (Karin Månsdotter), consort of Eric XIV
1569 UPPSALA: John III and Catherine Jagiellonian of Poland-Lithuania
1585 VÄSTERÅS: Gunilla Bielke, consort of John III
1594 UPPSALA: Sigismund and Anna of Habsburg
1607 UPPSALA: Charles IX and Christina of Holstein-Gottorp
1617 UPPSALA: Gustavus II Adolphus
1620 STOCKHOLM: Maria Eleanora of Brandenburg, consort of Gustavus II Adolphus
1650 STOCKHOLM: Christina
1654 UPPSALA: Charles X Gustavus
1654 STOCKHOLM: Hedvig Eleanora of Holstein-Gottorp, consort of Charles X Gustavus
1675 UPPSALA: Charles XI
1680 STOCKHOLM: Ulrica Eleanora of Denmark, consort of Charles XI
1697 STOCKHOLM: Charles XII
1719 UPPSALA: Ulrica Eleanora
1720 STOCKHOLM: Frederick I
1751 STOCKHOLM: Adolphus Frederick and Louise Ulrica of Prussia
1772 STOCKHOLM: Gustavus III and Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
1800 NORRKÖPING: Gustavus IV Adolphus and Frederica of Baden
1809 STOCKHOLM: Charles XIII and Hedvig Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp
1818 STOCKHOLM: Charles XIV John
1829 STOCKHOLM: Desideria, consort of Charles XIV John
1844 STOCKHOLM: Oscar I and Josephine of Leuchtenburg
1860 STOCKHOLM: Charles XV and Louise of the Netherlands
1873 STOCKHOLM: Oscar II and Sophia of Nassau

Select Bibliography
The Regalia and Treasures of the Realm, Stockholm 1987

SWEDISH CORONATIONS
The first known coronation in Sweden took place in 1210, the last one in 1873.

KALMAR (the coronation church was demolished in 16th century):
1397: Eric XIII of Pomerania

LINKÖPING CATHEDRAL (Linköping, Domkyrka):
1219: John I
1251: Valdemar

Linköping Cathedral. ©ARB

LUND CATHEDRAL (Lund, Domkyrka):
1406: Philippa of England, consort of Eric XIII of Pomerania

Lund Cathedral. ©ARB

NORRKÖPING, ST OLAV’S CHURCH (Norrköping, St Olai kyrka):
1800: Gustavus IV Adolphus and Frederica of Baden

Norrköping, St Olav's Church. ©ARB

SÖDERKÖPING, DROTHEM CHURCH (Söderköping, Drothemskyrka):
1281: Helvig of Holstein, consort of Magnus II
1302: Birger Magnusson and Martha of Denmark

Söderköping, Drothem Church. ©ARB

STOCKHOLM CATHEDRAL (Stockholm, Storkyrka):
1336: Magnus III and Blanche of Namur
1497: John II
1499: Christina of Saxony, consort of John II
1520: Christian II
1531: Catherine of Saxony-Lauenburg, consort of Gustavus I Vasa
1568: Catherine (Karin Månsdotter), consort of Eric XIV
1620: Maria Eleanora of Brandenburg, consort of Gustavus II Adolphus
1650: Christina
1654: Hedvig Eleanora of Holstein-Gottorp, consort of Charles X Gustavus
1680: Ulrica Eleanora of Denmark, consort of Charles XI
1697: Charles XII
1720: Frederick I
1751: Adolphus Frederick and Louise Ulrica of Prussia
1772: Gustavus III and Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
1809: Charles XIII and Hedvig Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp
1818: Charles XIV John
1829: Desideria, consort of Charles XIV John
1844: Oscar I and Josephine of Leuchtenburg
1860: Charles XV and Louise of the Netherlands
1873: Oscar II and Sophia of Nassau

Stockholm Cathedral. ©ARB

STRÄNGNÄS CATHEDRAL (Strängnäs Domkyrka):
1224: Eric XI

Strängnäs Cathedral. ©ARB

UPPSALA CATHEDRAL (Uppsala Domkyrka):
1441: Christopher of Bavaria
1448: Charles VIII and Catherine
1457: Christian I
1528: Gustavus I Vasa
1536: Margaret Leijonhufvud, consort of Gustavus I Vasa
1561: Eric XIV
1569: John III and Catherine Jagiellonian of Poland-Lithuania
1594: Sigismund and Anna of Habsburg
1607: Charles IX and Christina of Holstein-Gottorp
1617: Gustavus II Adolphus
1654: Charles X Gustavus
1675: Charles XI
1719: Ulrica Eleanora

Uppsala Cathedral. ©ARB

UPPSALA, GAMLA UPPSALA CHURCH (Gamla Uppsala Kyrka):
1210: Eric X
1276: Magnus II

Gamla Uppsala Church. ©ARB

VADSTENA ABBEY (Vadstena Klosterkyrka):
1552: Catherine Stenbock, consort of Gustavus I Vasa

Vadstena Abbey. ©ARB

VÄSTERÅS CATHEDRAL (Västerås Domkyrka):
1585: Gunilla Bielke, consort of John III

Västerås Cathedral. ©ARB

SWEDISH ROYAL RESIDENCES
(The list includes only the most important and existing royal residences)

BORGHOLM:
Solliden Palace - a summer residence of the Swedish Royal Family from 1906.

HELSINGBORG:
Sofiero Palace (Sofiero slott; a former summer residence the Swedish Royal family from 1865).

KALMAR CASTLE (Kalmar slott):
Formerly a royal castle.

Kalmar Castle
(reproduced courtesy of Mr Jerzy Pazdziora)

STOCKHOLM:
Royal Castle (Kungliga slottet; the official royal residence).

STOCKHOLM-DROTTNINGHOLM:
Drottningholm Palace (Drottningholms slott; home of the Swedish Royal Family).

STOCKHOLM:
Rosendal Castle (Rosendal slott; formerly used by the Royal Family).

STOCKHOLM-SOLNA:
Haga Palace (Haga slott; royal summer residence in Haga Park).

STOCKHOLM-ULRIKSDAL
Ulriksdal Palace (Ulriksdal slott; Royal Palce, home of King Gustavus VI Adolphus and his Queen Louise).