Märta Berendes

Märta Berendes (1639–1717), was a Swedish Baroness and diary writer. She served as överhovmästarinna at the Swedish royal court from 1693 to 1717. She is the author of a diary written between 1676 and 1698, which as been published and the object of research.

Life

Märta Berendes was the daughter of noble Johan Berendes and Ingeborg Kurck. In 1656, she married her uncle's brother-in-law, baron Johan Sparre of Bohnerö and Walstanäs. In 1676, she married secondly to riksråd baron Gustaf Posse af Hedensund till Arnäs (d. 1676).

Märta Berendes served as maid of honour to queen Christina of Sweden in 1652-1654 and to the next queen, Hedvig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp, in 1654-1656. From 1687, she served as Mistress of the Robes to the queen dowager Hedvig Eleonora. From 1693 until her death, she acquired the equivalent position at the court of the princesses, Hedvig Sophia of Sweden and Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden, and mentioned as the mistress of the robes of the entire Swedish royal court. Charles XII of Sweden referred to her as Old Aunt. In 1709, she was a part of the group consisting of herself, Arvid Horn, the queen dowager's priest Molin, Beata Sparre, and Christina Piper who evicted Anna Catharina von Bärfelt from court by forming an alliance with Carl Gyllenstierna.

References

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