Research is fun, when results are interesting.17:53 Nov 19 2012
Times Read: 595
After doing some family-tree research... well..
I am nobility.
Who would have thought. Not I, that's for damn sure.
Well, it truly is quite watered down by now, a somewhat murky shade of blue, but fifteen generations ago, in the year 1505, my 13th grandfather was nobled by Kristian II, the King of Norway/Denmark and Sweden. And not just any King; he was also called Kristian the Tyrant.
The Tyrant part is only added by the Swedish however, as in the year 1520 in Stockholm, he beheaded two bishops, fourteen noblemen, three burgomasters, fourteen town councillors and additionally beheaded or drowned at least 49 more people. The reasons for execution were of being faithful to Kristian II's deceased rival (and also heresy). That day is known as the Stockholm Bloodbath. By the way, same day, he also had exumed his deceased rival's body, and that of his son, and burned their corpses. To dot the i of the day, I suppose.
I love my history.
Anyway, along with that, I've discovered my family also has a coat of arms. A shield, with a blue rose on the blank left half, and a silver wing on the red right half. The old rendition of it, however quaint, appears a bit dated. I'll want to have this thing updated and crisp. Put it on my to do list.
But the best and worst news in this; The King also had a document written that had my 13th grandfather exempt of all taxes, and also for all his offspring!
The bad news being that we know this document exists, but have not yet found it.
Should make for an interesting legal issue when we eventually do.
But with nobility comes great fortune as well, no?
COMMENTS
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Requiem
23:35 Jan 04 2013
No ... The nobility quite often spend their fortunes. :P
Congrats! Or something! I hope you find the tax paper - that could be fabulous.