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Gustaf Otto Gustafsson Stenbock | |
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 Gustaf Otto Stenbock; engraving byNicolas Pitau | |
| Born | (1614-09-17)17 September 1614 Torpa stenhus, Sweden |
| Died | 24 September 1685(1685-09-24) (aged 71) Stockholm, Sweden |
| Allegiance | Sweden |
| Army | Swedish Army |
| Years of service | 1631–1685 |
| Rank | General Field Marshal |
| Unit | Småland Cavalry Regiment,Kronoberg Regiment,Jönköping Regiment |
| Commands | Governor General of Skåne,Lord High Admiral of Sweden |
| Known for | Military service, Governor,Lord High Admiral |
| Battles / wars | |
| Spouses | , |
| Children | Count Gustaf Stenbock, Beata Stenbock, Sigrid Stenbock, Christina Katharina Stenbock, Magdalena Katharina Stenbock, Count Carl Otto Stenbock, Brigitta Stenbock, Beata Margareta Stenbock, Count Erik Gustaf Stenbock, Count Jakob Stenbock,Count Magnus Stenbock,Hedvig Eleonora Stenbock, Charlotta Maria Stenbock |
Gustaf Otto Gustafsson Stenbock (17 September 1614,Torpa stenhus – 24 September 1685,Stockholm) was a Swedish military officer and politician.
He was a member of the nobleStenbock family; born to theRiksråd (Privy Councilor)Gustav Stenbock [sv] and his wife, Countess Beata Margareta née Brahe (1583–1645). He was therefore related to the royal family on his father's side.[1]
In 1631, he joined the Småland Cavalry Regiment. From 1633, he fought in Germany, during theThirty Years' War, and took part in theBattle of Nördlingen, among others. He won promotions to Commander of theKronoberg Regiment (1637), and Colonel of theJönköping Regiment (1639). He was seriously wounded at theSecond Battle of Breitenfeld in 1642, and returned home. He continued to pursue a miltitary career, however, participating in several campaigns and being promoted to Major General (1643), Lieutenant General (1647) and General of the Infantry (1648). Following the brief war between Sweden andBremen (1654), he was promoted to Field Marshal. During theSecond Northern War, he received a final promotion to General Field Marshal. DuringSweden's second war against Denmark, he successfully repulseda Danish landing in Ystad in 1659.[2] He alsosuccessfully besieged Nakskov earlier in the same year.[3]
Following theTreaty of Roskilde (1658), he received his first civilian appointment, as Governor General of the newly annexed provinces ofSchonen,Halland undBlekinge; acquired fromDenmark. In 1664, this led to another military appointment, asLord High Admiral of Sweden, although he had never served in the Navy and had no seafaring experience. It was generally believed to be compensation for being passed over forMarshal of the Realm.[citation needed] During theScanian War, the Swedish navy suffered devastating losses. In 1676, Stenbock and two other inexperienced Admirals were held accountable. He was deposed and the office abolished.[4] He was also fined 200,000Thalers.
A year later, he was rehabilitated by KingCharles XI, and his fine was reduced to 100,000 Thalers. He was also allowed to command a campaign against Norway, during which he was able to lift theSiege of Bohus fortress. In 1680, after the end of the Scanian War, he was given permission to call himself "Supreme Admiral", although he had no authority. His last few years were marred by illness and poverty.
He was married twice. His first wife was Baroness Brita Horn of Åminne (died 1658). They were wed on 22 July 1645.
On 1 June 1658, he married theGothenburg countessChristina Catharina De la Gardie [sv] (1632–1704); daughter of Field Marshal and CountJakob De la Gardie (1583–1652) and CountessEbba Brahe (1596–1674). He also bought one of the largest estates in the Baltic area:Kolga manor [sv] inKuusalu Parish,Estonia; from theDe la Gardie family. It had an area of 500 km2.
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