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Article: Oxenstierna, Axel (1583–1654)
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
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OXENSTIERNA, AXEL (1583
–
1654)
OXENSTIERNA, AXEL
(1583
–
1654), Swedish diplomat and statesman. The son of Gustaf Gabrielsson Oxenstierna and Barbo Axelsdotter
Bielke, and a contemporary of Richelieu and Mazarin, Oxenstierna was a major figure in Swedish history for over half a century. The leading member of the family in this period, he served as governor of several Swedish imperial territories in the Baltic region including Prussia, director of Sweden's war efforts in Germany, member of the council of state, head of the regency for Christina from 1632 to 1644, and chancellor from 1612 to 1654. During this time, Oxenstierna redefined Sweden's constitution through a ...