Axel Gyldenstjerne

Axel Gyldenstierne (born c. 1542, died 13 July 1603 at Sandviken, Gotland) was a Danish-Norwegian official and Governor-general of Norway from 1588 until 1601.

Northern Seven Years' War He is first mentioned in the records during the Northern Seven Years' War (1563–1570), when he served at King Frederik II’s court, as well as in field operations. He was a member of the king's retinue at the peace treaty negotiations at Roskilde and served as the government's messenger to peace mediators in Szczecin. His records were a significant contribution to the recorded Danish history of this war.

Danish National Council After the war he was awarded feudal lordships in Denmark and Skåne. From 1579 he served as a judge in Skåne; from 1581, he was a member of the Danish National Council and in 1585 he and Christoffer Valkendorf were responsible for the national government in the king's absence. thumb

While there, Gyldenstierne played a central role at the wedding of James VI of Scotland and Princess Anne of Denmark in Oslo. Anne and James were formally married at the Old Bishop's Palace in Oslo on 23 November 1589, "with all the splendour possible at that time and place". So that both bride and groom could understand, Leith minister David Lindsay conducted the ceremony in French, describing Anne as "a Princess both godly and beautiful...she giveth great contentment to his Majesty". The cupboard of silver had been a gift from Queen Elizabeth.

Gyldenstierne also organized the Norwegian tribute to Christian IV in June 1591.

Retirement Gyldenstierne left on his own initiative in 1601, and received two fiefs in Blekinge. He participated in a trip to Russia, 1602–03, as an escort for the Danish king's brother, Prince Hans, who was to marry Tsar Boris Godunov's daughter Ksenia (Xenia), but fell ill and died before the marriage could take place. He died during the journey back home.