Henrik Klasson Fleming

Henrik Klasson Fleming (15 August 1584 – 7 November 1650) was a member of the Swedish nobility and admiral, diplomat and lord marshal. He was the author of one of the first autobiographies in Swedish, a colourful depiction of his early life which he wrote for his children in a moralising purpose.

In 1617 he was a Swedish delegate took part in the conclusion of the Treaty of Stolbovo which ended the Ingrian War. The same year he became governor of the Province of Viipuri and Olavinlinna and colonel of the cavalry at Karelia the following year.

In 1620 he was appointed governor of Ingria, colonel of the Finnish cavalry in 1622 and vice admiral in 1628. During the conquest, he defeated a force of 300 Jämtlanders at Brunflo.

In his youth he was left without any support from his father who had become a very rich man. He was for a few years struggling with poverty. Later, he supplied goods to the army through trade and leasing, so that by his death he had accumulated a fortune, both in wars and partly on business speculation, of which he used a large portion to benefit his people. He died on 7 November 1650 in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1641, Henrik Fleming had financed the construction of Virmo Church (Mietoisten kirkko) in Mynämäki, Finland. The Fleming family sandstone tomb from the year 1632 is located here.

Personal life He was son of Governor Klas Hermansson Fleming and Elisabet Henriksdotter Horn as well as the grandson of Henrik Klasson Horn (c.1512 – 1595).

He married his sister-in-law Ebba Erlandsdotter Bååt (1588 – 1630) on 13 March 1608. He was the father of Johan Henriksson Fleming (24 June 1609 – 29 April 1646).