The Polmans were a successful military family, rising through the ranks of the Kronoberg Regiment. Their services to the Swedish Crown rewarded them greatly — throughout the centuries they were provided fiefs & manors for their loyal service. In 1650, they were knighted by Queen Christina with the name Påhlman.
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Karl IX
Introduction
Karl IX, also known as Charles IX, was the King of Sweden from 1604 to 1611. Part of the House of Vasa, Karl was the son of Gustav Vasa and succeeded his brother Erik XIV, who was deposed after a mental breakdown. He was granted the Duchy of Södermanland, along with the provinces of Närke and Värmland, as an inheritance from his father. During his reign, Karl IX established the absolute monarchy in Sweden and continued the expansion of the Swedish Empire. Karl IX died in 1611 and was succeeded by his son Gustav II Adolf.
Jürgen Polman the Elder
At the turn of the 17th century, Jürgen Polman went into the service of Karl, the Duke of Södermanland. Karl IX gave Jürgen Polman a sum of money in 1600 to acquire Pigant (Piigandi) in Estonia, however when the Poles returned, Jürgen was driven out. Jürgen Polman was held in high esteem by Karl IX. In addition to lending him funds for Pigant, Duke Karl wrote him a letter in 1601, expressing his delight that Jurgen had succeeded in enlisting more than a hundred farmers to protect against the Poles. In 1604, Karl IX granted Jürgen parts of Sääksmäki parish in Finland—known for its manors and medieval stone church—as a reward for his loyal service, which he held till 1619.
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Gustavus Adolphus
Introduction
Gustavus Adolphus the Great ruled Sweden from 1611 until his death in battle in 1632. During his reign, he is remembered for his military leadership and for transforming Sweden into a major European power. Known as the “Lion of the North,” he was particularly famous for his might on the battlefield, which helped him win several key battles during the Thirty Years War. Gustavus Adolphus was also a supporter of education and religious tolerance, which contributed to Sweden’s cultural and economic growth during his reign. He is also the only Swedish monarch to be styled “the Great.”
Jörgen Polman the Younger
The Polman family was well acquainted with Gustavus Adolphus. In 1626, he granted some farms in the hamlet of Sunnerbo district to Jörgen Polman the Younger, likely as a reward for his loyal service. A year before he died in battle, Gustavus Adolphus wrote a fief letter to Jürgen Polman the Elder, granting him the village of Öötla, which he was successful in keeping. When Jürgen died, his widow was allowed to retain Öötla. It would be Gustavus Adolphus’s daughter, Kristina, who would eventually knight the grandsons of Jürgen Polman
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Kristina
Introduction
Kristina, Queen of Sweden, began to rule when she came of age in 1644, facing challenges and bringing Sweden on the verge of bankruptcy. But she advocated to end the Thirty Years’ War in 1648 through the Treaty of Westphalia, receiving indemnity and greatly enhancing the prestige of Sweden. Known for her wisdom and intellect, and sometimes referred to as the “Minerva of the North,” she played an instrumental role in positioning Sweden as an international, cultural country. She chose not to marry and eventually abdicated in favour of her personal goals— namely converting to Catholicism and moving to Rome.
Johan & Gustaf Påhlman
No other monarch has had as much of an impact when it comes to the Polman family. Four years before her abdication, in 1650, Queen Kristina knighted the brothers Johan and Gustaf— with their name transitioning henceforth to the more Swedish “Påhlman”—at Stockholm Castle. She also permitted their sister to be included in their nobility. The Påhlmans were introduced the same year in the third (journeyman) class under the current No. 501. Later, in 1778, the family would be promoted to the second (knight) class, which had been re-established.
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Catherine the Great
Introduction
One of the most documented rulers in history, Catherine II, born Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst, was a powerful Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. She came to power through a coup against her husband, Peter III, and became one of the longest-reigning female rulers in Russian history. During her reign, she oversaw significant territorial expansion, cultural modernisation, and political reform. Catherine the Great was known for her intelligence, love of the arts, and influential role in the Enlightenment era. She also maintained strong alliances with other European powers and was a patron of the arts, including literary figures such as Voltaire and Diderot.
Reinhold Wilhelm von Pohlmann
Duchess Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was married to King Friedrich of Württemberg. Due to his abusive and unfaithful behaviour, Augusta sought protection from Empress Catherine II. The Empress banished Friedrich from Russia and summoned General Wilhelm von Pohlmann to protect Augusta and provide her with refuge in Estonia. Tragically, Augusta died suddenly from blood loss. For more than 200 years, slanderous rumours spread about both Augusta and General von Pohlmann in an attempt to understand her unexpected death. The Empress and von Pohlmann exchanged several letters, and following the incident he lived a quiet life until his death in 1795.
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Gustav III
Introduction
Gustav III, or Gustavus III, was the King of Sweden from 1771 until his assassination in 1792. He was known for his cultural and intellectual interests, and his efforts to modernise and reform Sweden. Gustav III also played a significant role in European politics, particularly in his opposition to the expansion of Russian power in the Baltic region. However, his reign was also marked by controversy and political intrigue, and his assassination sparked a period of political instability in Sweden.
Adolf Fredrik Påhlman
Not much is known about the history of Gustav III and the Polman family, but he did present Lieutenant Colonel Påhlman with a sword of honour for his service. On May 2, 1790, Thanksgiving services were celebrated throughout the kingdom. The Te Deum hymn was sung in Valkeala, after which King Gustaf III granted the pardon as a reward. Major General af Pollet was appointed Commander of the Order of the Sword. Major General Pauli, Lieutenant Colonel Påhlman and Captain Berell were presented with swords.
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Karl XIII
Introduction
As the King of Sweden from 1809 to 1818, Karl XIII, or Charles XIII, faced the difficult task of ruling over a country that was recovering from years of war and political upheaval. Despite his advanced age and declining health, he worked tirelessly to rebuild Sweden’s economy and strengthen its position in Europe. His reign was marked by his efforts to negotiate peace and establish friendly relations with neighbouring countries.
Adolf Fredrik Påhlman
During a period likely spanning from 1809 to 1818, Lieutenant Colonel AF Påhlman wrote a letter to Karl XIII with regard to deplorable conditions of the residences that belonged to the Crown. As a high-ranking military official, Påhlman felt it necessary to bring these conditions to the attention of the King in order to prevent further deterioration and loss for the Crown.
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