The High Council of Sweden or Council of the Realm (in Swedish Riksrådet until 1687; sometimes Latinised as Senatus Regni Sueciae) consisted originally of those men of both noble, common and clergical background, that the king saw fit for advisory service. The constitution of 1634 stipulated that the king must have a Privy Council, but he was free to choose whoever he might find suitable for the job, as long as he was of Swedish birth. Particularly from Gustav Vasa, councillors were more the monarch's foremost advisors than autonomous lords. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a representative democracy based on a parliamentary system. ... Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden (Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus; born 30 April 1946) is the current Swedish monarch and head of state of the Kingdom of Sweden. ... Riksdag is also the Swedish name of the Parliament of Finland. ... The Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden (riksdag) is the speaker (Swedish: ) of the national parliament in Sweden. ... Per Westerberg Per Erik Gunnar Westerberg (born 2 August 1951) is a Swedish Moderate Party politician and as of 2006 the current Speaker of the Riksdag. ... [edit] Members who have resigned Categories: | | ... The Prime Minister (Swedish: , literally Minister of State) is the head of government in Sweden. ... John Fredrik Reinfeldt (IPA: ) (born August 4, 1965, in Österhaninge) is the current Prime Minister of Sweden and leader of the liberal conservative Moderate Party (Swedish: ). A native of Stockholm County, Reinfeldt joined the Moderate Youth League in 1983, and by 1992 had risen to the rank of chairman, a... Fredrik Reinfeldt has served as Prime Minister of Sweden since October 6, 2006. ... The government of Sweden is a constitutional monarchy based on parliamentary democracy. ... The Government agencies in Sweden are state controlled organizations who act independently to carry out the policies of the Swedish Government. ... The Palace of Bonde, situated right next to the House of Knights, is the current seat of the Supreme Court The Supreme Court of Sweden (Swedish: Högsta domstolen) is the supreme court and the third and final instance in all civil and criminal cases in Sweden. ... A county, or län, is an administrative and political subdivision of Sweden. ... The Swedish Counties were run by Governors, appointed by the Swedish monarch, since their establishment in 1634. ... A County Administrative Board is a Government appointed board of a County in Sweden. ... A County Council, or Landsting, is an elected assembly of a County in Sweden. ... The Municipalities or Kommuner represent the local level of self government in Sweden. ... The Sami Parliament is a representative body for peoples of Sami heritage in several Scandinavian countries. ... Elections in Sweden gives information on election and election results in Sweden. ... Results of the general election to the Riksdag, the parliament of Sweden, held Sunday September 15, 2002. ... Alliance for Sweden supporters celebrates at Sergels Torg in Stockholm. ... The Swedish Riksdag The next general election to the Swedish Riksdag will be held on Sunday, September 19, 2010. ... Since the introduction of parliamentarism in Sweden six referendums have been held. ... Political parties in Sweden lists political parties in Sweden. ... The foreign policy of Sweden is based on the premise that national security is best served by staying free of alliances in peacetime in order to remain a neutral country in the event of war. ... The European Union or EU is a supranational and international organization of 27 member states. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... Gustav Vasa, originally Gustav Eriksson Vasa (May 12, 1496–September 29, 1560) was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death. ...

At the introduction of absolutism, Charles XI had the equivalent organ named as kungligt råd, Royal Council. In the Period of Liberty, the medieval name was reused, but after the bloodless revolution of king Gustav III, the old organ was practically abolished, and he established in its stead the statsråd (Council of State), rather similar organ but circumventing the then constitution. In the 1809 Constitution, statsråd became the constitutional governmental cabinet. Beginning in the 19th century that council was gradually transformed into a cabinet of ministers led by a prime minister that functions independently of the monarch. With the constitution of 1975, the privy council was abolished and replaced by regeringen, which formalised the complete separation from the monarch. However,members of the Swedish Cabinet are still referred to as "Statsråd" or "Councillors of State". Gustav III (13 January 1746 (O.S.) (24 January 1746 (N.S.))–March 29, 1792) was the King of Sweden from February 12, 1771 until his death. ...

The High Council originated as a council of regional magnates (stormän) acting as advisers to the monarch of the combined Swedes realms (from 996, approximately). Foremost among the council was the military commander, the Riksjarl (jarl, English: earl), an office heritable within a younger branch of the House of the Kingdom of Nericia, one of the constitutate parts of the realm. Polish Magnate (17th century) Magnate, from the Late Latin magnas, a great man, itself from Latin magnus great, designates a noble or other man in a high social position, by birth, wealth or other qualities. ... Events March/April - Pope John XV dies before being being able to coronate Otto III, King of Germany as Holy Roman Emperor. ... In Sweden, members of medieval royal families, such as the House of Stenkil and House of Bjelbo, held the title of jarl before their ascension to the throne. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... For other uses, see Earl (disambiguation). ... Närke is the name of a geographical region in Sweden which can refer to: Nericia, or Närke - a historical Province of Sweden Part of Örebro County, or Örebro län - a current County of Sweden Part of Närke and Värmland County, or Närkes och V...

During the reign of Magnus III of Sweden between 1275 and 1290 the meetings of the Council became a permanent institution having the offices of Steward or Justiciar (Swedish: Drots), Constable (Swedish: Marsk) and Chancellor (Swedish: Kansler), who until the 1530s was always an eccleasiastic. Sigillum ad causas for Magnus II of Sweden Magnus II Ericson, Magnus VII of Norway, (1316–1377), King of Sweden, Norway and Terra Scania, son of Duke Eric and Ingeborg, daughter of Hakon V of Norway. ... // April 22 - The first of the Statutes of Westminster are passed by the English parliament, establishing a series of laws in its 51 clauses, including equal treatment of rich and poor, free and fair elections, and definition of bailable and non-bailable offenses. ... For broader historical context, see 1290s and 13th century. ... Centuries: 15th century - 16th century - 17th century Decades: 1480s 1490s 1500s 1510s 1520s - 1530s - 1540s 1550s 1560s 1570s 1580s Years: 1530 1531 1532 1533 1534 1535 1536 1537 1538 1539 Events and Trends Spanish conquest of Peru Beginning of colonization of Brazil Categories: 1530s ...

Modern Sweden

Following the change of policies upon the death of Gustav II Adolf in action at Lützen in 1632, the 1634 Constitution of Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna laid the foundation for the administration of modern Sweden. For instance, the subdivision into counties (Swedish: län) is a legacy from this time. Gustav II Adolph Gustav II Adolph (December 9, 1594 - November 6, 1632) (also known as Gustav Adolph the Great, under the Latin name Gustavus Adolphus or the Swedish form Gustav II Adolf) was a King of Sweden. ... Lutzen or Lützen can have the following meanings: Lützen is a town in Germany The Battle of Lützen (1632) in the Thirty Years War The Battle of Lützen (1813) in the Napoleonic Wars This is a disambiguation page — a list of pages that otherwise might share... See also: 1632 (novel) Events February 22 - Galileos Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems is published July 23 - 300 colonists for New France depart Dieppe November 8 - Wladyslaw IV Waza elected king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth after Zygmunt III Waza death November 16 - Battle of Lützen... Events Moses Amyrauts Traite de la predestination is published Curaçao captured by the Dutch Treaty of Polianovska First meeting of the Académie française The witchcraft affair at Loudun Jean Nicolet lands at Green Bay, Wisconsin Opening of Covent Garden Market in London English establish a settlement... Count Axel Gustafsson Oxenstierna   listen? or Oxenstjerna (June 16, 1583 - August 28, 1654), Lord High Chancellor of Sweden, was born at FÃ¥nö in Uplandia, and received his education with his brothers at the universities of Rostock, Jena and Wittenberg. ... A county, or län, is an administrative and political subdivision of Sweden. ...

From 1634, the Senate was headed by the five Great Officers of The Realm, each leading a branch of government: For other uses of Great Officer of State, see Great Officer of State (disambiguation). ...

• Lord High Steward or Justiciar (Swedish: Riksdrots)
• Lord High Constable (Swedish: Riksmarsk)
• Lord High Admiral (Swedish: Riksamiral)
• Lord High Chancellor (Swedish: Rikskansler)
• Lord High Treasurer (Swedish: Riksskattmästare)

Drots, drotz or drost (one of plausible translations is: Lord High Justiciar), Danish and Swedish name of a supreme state official, with at least a connotation to administration of judiciary, who in medieval Scandinavia was often a leader in the government. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Rikskansler (Lord High Chancellor), the Lord High Chancellors were members of the Privy Council and lead the Chancellerys work. ...

Parliamentarism vs. absolute monarchy

The words 'Senate' and 'Senator' are often used incorrectly as having the same meaning as 'Council' and 'Councillor'. 'Privy Council' in this context, is an absolute aberration. The word 'råd' in Swedish has a dual meaning, both the advisor and the advice given (as well as the body of advisors as collective), but 'council' is entirely different from 'Senate'.

The Councillors of the Realm ("senator") had the highest rank in the Kingdom after the Royal family and were styled the Kings Cousins. A councillor might be found in a range of other circumstances; City councillor and so on. Also, the 1809 name for the Swedish Government was 'Council of State'. 'Councillor of State' was in many countries an honorary title.

There is some justification for this misunderstanding for the period 1680 to 1719. From around 1672, the year of the coming of age of Charles XI, the Senate was assembled less and less frequently and instead the King ruled from his Cabinet 'in Council'. He formed an ad hoc group of trusted relations, maybe a Senator or two, a few secretaries and knowledgeable persons, to discuss a particular matter or group of matters. The Scanian War (1674-1679) gave the king the opportunity to establish - with the approval of the Estates - an absolute Monarchy along the lines of Renaissance Absolutism. Council, Parliament, local government, legal system, Church of Sweden, all were brought within the power of the King and his Secretaries. Events First Portuguese governor was appointed to Macau The Swedish city Karlskrona was founded as the Royal Swedish Navy relocated there. ... // Events January 23 - The Principality of Liechtenstein is created within the Holy Roman Empire April 25 - Daniel Defoe publishes Robinson Crusoe June 10 - Battle of Glen Shiel Prussia conducts Europes first systematic census Miners in Falun, Sweden find an apparently petrified body of Fet-Mats Israelsson in an unused... Scanian War (Danish: Skånske Krig Swedish: Skånska kriget) was the Nordic part of the Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678). ... Events February 19 - England and the Netherlands sign the Treaty of Westminster. ... Events January 24 - King Charles II of England disbands Parliament August 7 - The brigantine Le Griffon, which was commissioned by René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, is towed to the southern end of the Niagara River, to become the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes. ...

This was the culmination of a long power-struggle between the Absolutist Kings and the republican leanings of the Aristocracy. The first of the Riksdag Acts ratifying the change of system was a declaration that the King was not bound by the 1634 Constitution, which no King or Queen had ever consented to freely. The Rikets Råd, the Senators of the Realm, were now called Kungliga Råd, Royal, being appointed and dismissed at the King's pleasure.

In 1713 the son and successor of Charles XI, Charles XII, issued a new working order for the Chancellery to enable him to conduct government from the battle-field, but his sudden death at the siege of Fredricshald in Norway in 1718 provided the opportunity for the parliament (Riksdag of the Estates) to write a new Constitution in 1719 and 1721, that gave Sweden half a century of first renewed Senatorial, and then Parliamentary government. Carl XII, Karl XII or Carolus Rex, (June 17, 1682 – November 30, 1718), the Alexander of the North, nicknamed in Turkish as DemirbaÅŸ Åžarl (Charles the Habitué), was King of Sweden from 1697 until his death in 1718. ... The Riksdag of the Estates, or Ståndsriksdagen, was the name used for the Estates of the Swedish realm, or Rikets ständer, when they were assembled. ... // Events Pope Innocent XIII becomes pope Johann Sebastian Bach composes the Brandenburg Concertos April 4 - Robert Walpole becomes the first prime minister of Britain September 10 - Treaty of Nystad is signed, bringing an end to the Great Northern War November 2 - Peter I is proclaimed Emperor of All the Russias...

The first Estate, the Nobility, dominated both the parliament and the Senate. The Senate now had 16 members and was chaired by the King. Each Senator had one vote, while the King as chairman had two. The Senate was the government of the Kingdom but also the supreme judicial authority.

From 1738 the Estates could remove Senators to create a majority corresponding to that of the Estates, the Estates also appointing the President of the Chancellery (the prime minister), along party lines. The Freedom of the Press Act (1766) was also passed during this period. The Swedish Constitution consists of four fundamental laws (Swedish: grundlagar): The Instrument of Government (1974) The Act of Succession (1810) The Freedom of the Press Act (1766) The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (1991) There is also a law on the working order of the Parliament with a special...

This "Age of Liberty" lasted until the bloodless Coup d'Etat or Revolution of king Gustav III in 1772 which restored royal sovereignty under the guise of the 1634 Constitution. The Enlightened Despot See also: Gustav III of Sweden Adolf Frederick of Sweden died on February 12, 1771. ... Gustav III (13 January (O.S.) or (24 January (N.S.) 1746 – March 29, 1792) was King of Sweden from 1771 until his death. ... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

In 1789, by the Förenings- och Säkerhets Acten (English: the Act of Union and Security), an amendment charter to the constitution, the exclusive right of the Nobility to high offices was abolished and the Estates of the Burghers and the Peasantry (Yeomanry) received Privileges - a step towards modern democracy. Aristocratic control of state organs ceased, although the then High Councillors retained their title for life. The High Council's judicial function devolved on the Konungens Högsta Domstol (English: the Royal High Court) composed of an equal number of noble and non-noble members. In the 1789 constitutional amendment Gustav III, having desired to abolish the constitutional power of the Council (a pesky limitation to royal power in executive banch, in his view), had instead received the right to determine the number of High Councillors. He decided to have zero of them, and appointed instead Councillors of State - a circumvention that enabled him to deny their constitutional prerogatives if need arose.

The loss of the Finnish War in 1809 prompted a military coup which removed Gustav IV Adolf, replacing the Gustavian era with a new dynasty and a new constitution restoring initiative to the Estates. Combatants Russia Sweden Commanders Fyodor Buxhoeveden Boris Knorring Barclay de Tolly Wilhelm Mauritz Klingspor Carl Johan Adlercreutz Georg Carl von Döbeln The Finnish War was fought between Sweden and Russia from February 1808 to September 1809. ... Year 1809 (MDCCCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ... For other people and places of the same name, see Gustaf Adolf (disambiguation). ...

The Constitution of 1809

On June 6, 1809 a new Constitution was adopted, and while the King named the Statsråd: the Council of State, the legislative powers of Government were once again shared with the Estates. is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1809 (MDCCCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ... The Riksdag of the Estates, or Ståndsriksdagen, was the name used for the Estates of the Swedish realm, or Rikets ständer, when they were assembled. ...

The Statsråd had nine members - also called Statsråd - the leading members being the Justitie-Statsminster, the Minister of State for Justice and the Statsministern för Utrikes Ärendena, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The departmental reform of 1840 created seven departments or ministries headed by a Statsråd - a return of sorts to 1634. In 1866 the 4 Estates were abolished and the new two-Chamber Riksdag was elected. 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The parliament building from outside. ...

From 1876 the Justitie-Statsminster is called Statsminister Prime Minister. Year 1876 Pick up Sticks(MDCCCLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Prime Minister (Swedish: , literally Minister of State) is the head of government in Sweden. ...

From 1917 parliamentarian principles were once more established and the Monarch ceased to exercise his constitutional power to appoint the Statsråd. From now on the Government depends politically on support from the Parliament, the Prime Minister exercising the Royal prerogatives. However, the Swedish term used for the Government during this period, still was Kungl. Maj:t, an abbreviation of Kunglig Majestät the Royal Majesty. 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... This is a list of Swedish monarchs, that is, the Kings and ruling Queens of Sweden with Regents and Viceroys of the Kalmar Union up until the present time. ...

The Constitution of 1974

In 1974 a new parliamentary Constitution replaced 17th century formula of The King in Council for Regeringen, the Cabinet. Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ...

List of Lords High Chancellor and Presidents of the Chancellery from the advent of Absolutism in 1680 to 1809

• Count Bengt Oxenstierna (1685-July 12, 1702, acting from 1680)
  • Count Carl Piper (acting July 12, 1702-1705)
• Count Nils Gyldenstolpe 1705 May 4 1709
• Count Arvid Horn (April 10, 1719-1739, acting from 1709)
• Count Carl Gyllenborg (1739-December 9, 1746)
• Count Carl Gustaf Tessin (December 5, 1747-March 1752, acting from 1746)
• Count Andreas Johan von Höpken (March 1752-1761)
• Count Claes Ekeblad (1761-1765)
• Count Carl Gustaf Löwenhielm (1765-March 7, 1768)
  • Baron Fredrik von Friesendorff (acting 1768-1769)
• Count Claes Ekeblad (1769-1771)
• Count Ulrik Scheffer (1771-1772)
• Count Joachim von Düben (April 22, 1772-August 22, 1772)
• Count Ulrik Scheffer (August 22, 1772-1783)
• Count Gustaf Philip Creutz (June 1783-1785)
  • Baron Malte Ramel (acting 1785-1786)
• Baron Emanuel de Geer (1786-1787)
  • Count Johan Gabriel Oxenstierna (acting 1787-1789)
  • Count Karl Wilhelm von Düben (acting 1789-November 1790)
  • Ulrich Gustaf Frank (acting November 1790-1792)
  • Baron Evert Wilhelm Taube (acting 1792)
• Baron Christofer Bogislaus Zibet (May 15, 1792-1793)
• Count Fredrik Sparre (July 16, 1792-December 14, 1797)
• Count Nils Anton Augustus Bark (August 1793-1799)
• Baron Christofer Bogislaus Zibet (October 1799-1801)
• Fredrik Wilhelm von Ehrenheim (1801-1809)

See also: History of Sweden, List of Swedish monarchs, Privy Council of the British monarch The name Bengt Oxenstierna may refer to several different people, among them the following: Bengt Oxenstierna (1591-1643), Swedish Privy Councillor, Governor-General of Ingria and Swedish Livonia; Bengt Gabrielsson Oxenstierna (1623-1702), President of the Royal Swedish Chancellery. ... Carl, Count Piper (1647-1716), a Swedish statesman, was born at Stockholm on the 29th of July 1647. ... is the 193rd day of the year (194th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events March 8 - William III died; Princess Anne Stuart becomes Queen Anne of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... Field Marshal and Count Arvid Bernhard Horn (April 6, 1664 â€“ April 17, 1742) was a statesman and a soldier of the Swedish empire during the period of Sweden-Finland). ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events January 23 - The Principality of Liechtenstein is created within the Holy Roman Empire April 25 - Daniel Defoe publishes Robinson Crusoe June 10 - Battle of Glen Shiel Prussia conducts Europes first systematic census Miners in Falun, Sweden find an apparently petrified body of Fet-Mats Israelsson in an unused... Count Carl Gustaf Tessin (born September 5, 1695 in Stockholm; died January 7, 1770 in Ã…kerö) was a Swedish politician and son of architect Nicodemus Tessin. ... is the 339th day of the year (340th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1747 (MDCCXLVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Carl Gustaf Löwenhielm (1790-1858) was a Swedish diplomat who was also notable for his paintings of the countries in which he served. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... is the 234th day of the year (235th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Count Gustaf Philip Creutz (1729 - October 30, 1785), was a Swedish statesman, diplomat and poet. ... Johan Gabriel Oxenstierna “Joahn Gabriel Oxenstierna” redirects here. ... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1792 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1792 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... // Main article: Prehistoric Sweden Sweden, as well as the adjacent country Norway, has a high concentration of petroglyphs (ristningar[1] or hällristningar[2] in Swedish) throughout the country, with the highest concentration in the province of Bohuslän. ... This is a list of Swedish monarchs, that is, the Kings and ruling Queens of Sweden with Regents and Viceroys of the Kalmar Union up until the present time. ... A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, especially in a monarchy. ...