Margareta Huitfeldt
Encyclopedia
Margareta Huitfeldt was a Norwegian-Swedish noble
, estate owner and donor
.
The only child of the Danish noble Hartvig Andersen Huitfeldt till Skjelbred och Rommegaard (d. 1637), who lived in Norway, and the Norwegian noble Bente Jonsdotter Schack (d. 1622). Married to Danish noble Tomas Iverssön Dyre till Hvidstedgaard (1605 - 1651) in 1635. She had three children, who all died very young.
Margareta became one of the greatest land owners in Scandinavia
as the heir of her parents and her spouse. She resided in Bohuslän
, were most of her properties were situated. Bohuslän belonged to Norway (and thereby Denmark), but became Swedish in 1658. She was a local power holder, with good and influential connections to the authorities. She wished for better conditions for the peasants.
Margareta Huitfeldt is frequently portrayed in the local legend
s of Bohuslän. During the famous witch trial
s of 1668-76, the fact that she disliked one of the alleged witches, Helga i Pilanna, who was one of the most well known victims of the Swedish witch hunt, is considered to have led to the condemnation and execution of Helga (1672).
In 1664, she made a famous donation
; paid schooling for 30 students a year in Gothenburg
, scholarships and support to science. Her will and donation was put under the protection of the crown. It was named "Kungl. och Hvitfeldtskastipendieinrättningen" (1694). This donation has been known as Hvitfeldtska gymnasiet.
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
, estate owner and donor
Altruism
Altruism is a concern for the welfare of others. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures, and a core aspect of various religious traditions, though the concept of 'others' toward whom concern should be directed can vary among cultures and religions. Altruism is the opposite of...
.
The only child of the Danish noble Hartvig Andersen Huitfeldt till Skjelbred och Rommegaard (d. 1637), who lived in Norway, and the Norwegian noble Bente Jonsdotter Schack (d. 1622). Married to Danish noble Tomas Iverssön Dyre till Hvidstedgaard (1605 - 1651) in 1635. She had three children, who all died very young.
Margareta became one of the greatest land owners in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
as the heir of her parents and her spouse. She resided in Bohuslän
Bohuslän
' is a Swedish traditional province, or landskap, situated in Götaland on the northernmost part of the country's west coast. It is bordered by Dalsland to the northeast, Västergötland to the southeast, the Skagerrak arm of the North Sea to the west, and the county of Østfold in Norway to the north...
, were most of her properties were situated. Bohuslän belonged to Norway (and thereby Denmark), but became Swedish in 1658. She was a local power holder, with good and influential connections to the authorities. She wished for better conditions for the peasants.
Margareta Huitfeldt is frequently portrayed in the local legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
s of Bohuslän. During the famous witch trial
Witch trial
A witch trial is a legal proceeding that is part of a witch-hunt. * Witch trials in Early Modern Europe, 15th–18th centuries** Salzburg witch trials - 1675-1690, Salzburg, Austria** Spa witch trial - 1616, Belgium...
s of 1668-76, the fact that she disliked one of the alleged witches, Helga i Pilanna, who was one of the most well known victims of the Swedish witch hunt, is considered to have led to the condemnation and execution of Helga (1672).
In 1664, she made a famous donation
Donation
A donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
; paid schooling for 30 students a year in Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, scholarships and support to science. Her will and donation was put under the protection of the crown. It was named "Kungl. och Hvitfeldtskastipendieinrättningen" (1694). This donation has been known as Hvitfeldtska gymnasiet.