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Hans Axel Von Fersen JrSwedish count, diplomat and statesman
Date of Birth: 04.09.1755
Country:  Sweden |
Content:
- Biography of Hans Axel von Fersen the Younger
- French Military Service
- Relationships and Court Life
- Later Life and Tragic Death
Biography of Hans Axel von Fersen the Younger
Early Life and EducationHans Axel von Fersen the Younger was born on September 4, 1755, in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the son of Axel von Fersen the Elder, a military commander and statesman, and Countess Hedvig Catharina De la Gardie from the famous De la Gardie family, which had French origins. The countess was related to the Swedish royal dynasty of Vasa. Fersen received an excellent education at home and then studied at Carolinum in Brunswick, Turin, and Strasbourg.
French Military Service
In 1779, Fersen joined the French military service in the Royal-Bavière Regiment. He accompanied the French commander Count de Rochambeau on a military expedition to America during the War of Independence and served as a translator in negotiations between Rochambeau and George Washington. Fersen distinguished himself in battles, particularly during the siege of Yorktown in 1781, and in 1785, he was promoted to the rank of commander in the Royal Suédois Regiment.
Relationships and Court Life
Fersen gained a reputation as a notorious womanizer and had affairs with numerous women, from the adventurous Italian Eleanor Sullivan to Hedwig Elizabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp, the wife of future King Charles XIII of Sweden. It is unclear when exactly his affair with Hedwig Elizabeth Charlotte occurred, but it is known that the duchess wanted to rekindle their relationship when Fersen returned to Sweden from France after the death of Marie Antoinette. However, Fersen declined her advances. Interestingly, Fersen's cousin, Augusta von Fersen, was a mistress of Charles XIII.
From the beginning, the young Swedish nobleman became a favorite at the French court due to his father's merits and his own brilliant abilities. Queen Marie Antoinette first saw Fersen in January 1774 when they were both 18 years old and was charmed by his elegance and wit. Fersen fully inherited the striking beauty characteristic of his family. Whether there was a real romance between him and Marie Antoinette or if their relationship remained platonic is still unknown.
Later Life and Tragic Death
In the autumn of 1788, Fersen returned to France. He played a crucial role in organizing the escape of the royal family in June 1791 and distracted pursuers, but the king and queen were still captured. In August 1791, Fersen went to Emperor Leopold of Austria to persuade him to intervene against revolutionary France, but the Austrian court was reluctant to take any action.
At great risk to his life, Fersen visited the imprisoned queen several times while in disguise and came to the conclusion that a second escape was impossible. In 1793, the French monarchs were executed, and Fersen returned to Sweden, where he dedicated himself to state affairs and became a political advisor to King Gustav IV Adolf, despite occasional scandals. Fersen tragically died on June 20, 1810.
His sympathies were with Prince Gustav of Vasa, the son of the dethroned monarch, during the 1809 revolution that overthrew Gustav IV Adolf. However, the parliament insisted on the candidacy of the highly popular Danish prince Charles August. When the new heir prince suddenly died in May 1810, rumors spread that Fersen and his sister had poisoned him. Defamation filled the press.
When the prince's body arrived in Stockholm on June 20, 1810, Fersen, as the marshal of the kingdom, led the funeral procession in the city. The crowd, meeting the procession, began to mutter, shouting "Murderer!" Despite Fersen's attempt to take refuge in the courthouse, the mob dragged him onto the street. He was beaten to death with sticks, umbrellas, and feet. The riot continued for over an hour, and the soldiers, who were abundant on the streets, did nothing to save Count von Fersen. His death shocked the entire country. Several months later, Fersen and other members of his family were cleared of suspicion, and his body was buried with lavish ceremonies.
