Jacob Ulfeldt (1535–1593)

For other persons named Jacob Ulfeldt, see Jacob Ulfeldt (disambiguation).

Jacob Ulfeldt (1535 – 8 October 1593) was a Danish diplomat and member of the Privy Council from 1565.^[1]

Jacob Ulfeldt
Portrait of Ulfeldt, late 16th century
Born	1535
Died	8 October 1593(1593-10-08) (aged 57–58)
Occupation	Danish diplomat

He is mostly known for his very troubled diplomatic journey into Russia in 1578 during which he concluded an unfavourable treaty with Tsar Ivan IV (1530–1584) that brought him to disgrace at home. His bitter attempts of getting satisfaction only damaged his case. However, his account of his Russian travels (published by Melchior Goldast in Latin during 1608) is still considered a main source of Danish-Russian relations as well as of 16th-century Russia. He was the father of Jacob Ulfeldt (1567–1630).

Early life and education

Ulfeldt was the son of Knud Ebbesen Ulfeldt and Anne Eriksdatter Hardenberg. He studied at Louvain in 1551 and Wittenberg in 1554.

Diplomatic career

 

Ulfeldt being received by Tsar Ivan IV

Ylfeldt entered the state service in 1562. In 1566, he became a member of the Rigsrådet. He is mostly known for his very troubled diplomatic journey into Russia in 1578 during which he concluded an unfavourable treaty with Tsar Ivan IV (1530–1584) that brought him to disgrace at home. His bitter attempts of getting satisfaction only damaged his case.^[2]

Property

 

Title leaf of Jacob Ulfeldt's Jordebog of Ulfeldsholm, Bavelse and Selsø 1588

Ylfeldt's wife brought the estate Bavelse into the marriage. In 1566, Ulfeldt inherited Kogsbølle on Funen and Selsø in Hornsherred. He constructed new main buildings on all three estates. He purchased Dronninglund Castle in Jutland in 1563 but sold it again in 1568.

Personal life

 

Ledgerstone of Jacob Ulfeldt and Anne Hardenberg in Kværndrup Church.

Ulfeldt was married to Anne Jakobsdatter Flemming (1544-1570) and had three sons; Mogens Ulfeldt (1569–1616), Jacob Ulfeldt (1567–1630) and Corfitz Ulfeldt (1559–1614). Mogens Ulfeldt reached the rank of Admiral of the Realm. Jacob Ulfeldt was a diplomat and chancellor of King Christian IV of Denmark.^[3]

Legacy

Ylfeldt's account of his Russian travels (published by Melchior Goldast in Latin during 1608) is still considered a main source of Danish-Russian relations as well as of 16th century Russia.

See also

• Livonian War

References

1. Henry Bruun. "Jakob Ulfeldt". Den Store Danske, Gyldendal. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
2. "Ruslandsrejsen". crassus.dk. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
3. Jesper Thomassen. "Jakob Ulfeldt (d.y.)". Den Store Danske, Gyldendal. Retrieved January 1, 2019.

Other sources

• Dansk Biografisk Leksikon, vol. 15, Copenh. 1984.
• Schlegel, B.; Klingspor, C.A. Den med sk ldebref f rl nade men ej Riddarhuset introducerade Svenska Adelns ttar-taflor. Samlade och utarbetade af B. Schlegel och C. A. Klingspor. p. 311. ISBN 9780543959577. Retrieved 2015-11-09.

External links

• Hodoeporicon Ruthenicum (The Voyage to Russia), by Dr Rima Greenhill, Stanford University. ucd.ie
• Nobiliss. Et Strenvissimi Eqvitis Dani, Iacobi Vlfeldii, Domini in Vlsfeldtzholm Et Selsovia &c. Regii Danorum Consiliarij, Legatio Moscovitica Siue Hodoeporicon Rvthenicvm : In Qvo De Rvssorvm, Moschorvm Et Tatarorvm, Regionibus, Moribus, Religione, Gubernatione, & Aula Imperatoria quo potuit compendio & eleganter exsequitur. Francofvrti, Apud Matthævm Merianvm. M. DC. XXVII. (Book title of second edition in Latin from 1627), worldcat.org
• Ruslandsrejsen (Ulfeldt's journey into Russia.) This page includes Ulfeldt's account in Latin along with a translation into Danish. - crassus.dk (in Danish)
• Danish Impressions of Russia in 1578. A Comparative Analysis of Three Travel Descriptions (Jacob Ulfeldt, his Priest and NN), by John H. Lind (U. of Copenhagen)