Christian Siegfried von Plessen

Christian Siegfried von Plessen (1646 – January 22, 1723) was a German-Danish statesman and diplomat who served as president of Rentekammeret during the reign of Christian V. After Frederick IV's ascent to the throne, he lost his influence at the Danish court. In 1703, he moved to Hamburg. He was the father of Carl Adolph von Plessen and Christian Ludvig von Plessen.

Early life and education Plessen was born in 1646 as the son of hofmeister Daniel von Plessen zu Hoikendorf (1606–1672) and Dorothea Eleonora von Blumenthal (died 1687). He received a thorough education. Most of his Grand Tour was spent in France.

Career In 1670, Plessen began working for the government in Schwerin. When his brother, Carl Adolph Plessen, who had enlisted in the Danish army, was killed in battle during the Siege of Malmö in 1677, Plessen went to Copenhagen to sort out his affairs. After being introduced at the Danish court, he soon won the confidence of queen dowager Sophie Amalie and Prince George. At the queen dowager's initiative, he was appointed squire (kammerjunker) and chief clerk (overkæmmerer) at Prince George's court.

Plessen remained in charge of the management of Prince George's Danish holdings. In 1690, Christian V put him in charge of implementing administrative and financial reforms. In 1692, he was appointed president of the Rentekammeret. At the same time, he was also made a member of the Gehejmekonseil. His second-eldest son, Carl Adolph von Plessen, was a central figure at Christian VI's court and a major landowner. Their half-sister Charlotte Amalie von Plessen (1683–1760) was married to Christen Ottesen Skeel (1663–1709). His youngest son, Christian Sigfred von Plessen (1696–1777), owned the estates Næsbyholm and Bavelse.