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Great Power Era

The latest stories and posts about the Great Power era (1611 - 1721)

Items in the collection

17th century coat of arms from Göran Pålman’s portrait

17th century coat of arms from Göran Pålman’s portrait

Writing

A Handful of Hungarian Gold

A Handful of Hungarian Gold

In the winter of 1620, 237 Hungarian ducats disappeared from Albrecht Budde’s room. He spent three years trying to prove who had taken them. The court required a witness. There was none....
· 16 min read
Beata Lilliesparre and the Bones in the Loft

Beata Lilliesparre and the Bones in the Loft

The bones had lain hidden for nearly ten years before anyone found them. What followed was six years of court proceedings, a forged witness statement, a deathbed confession — and a captain who was already gone....
· 17 min read
The Flight of Jöran Polman

The Flight of Jöran Polman

History remembers him as a Major who died for the Crown. But in 1635, Jöran Polman was a fugitive selling his wife's morning gift to escape a scandal — and leaving his widow to rewrite his legacy....
· 15 min read
A Very Livonian Christmas

A Very Livonian Christmas

Exploring the origins and evolution of the winter holidays in erstwhile Estonia through historical information and reimagined scenes with some of our favourite characters....
· 10 min read

Claes Påhlman (1678–1704)

In a life tragically cut short, Claes followed in his brothers’ footsteps....
· 1 min read

Jöran Påhlman (1670–1724)

From excess to exile, this well-travelled Påhlman brother lived a rather eventful life....
· 3 min read
The Officers of Skokloster Castle

The Officers of Skokloster Castle

In 1623, the field marshal Herman Wrangel commissioned life-sized portraits of his officers, which adorn the walls of the magnificent baroque castle Skokloster. But how did they get there?...
· 19 min read
The Story of Captain Jöran Polman’s Portrait at Skokloster

The Story of Captain Jöran Polman’s Portrait at Skokloster

Jöran Polman served with diligence, and was one of twenty soldiers whose portrait adorns the walls of Skokloster Castle. Explore the story of his portrait and the intricate fashion details of the seventeenth century during Sweden's Great Power era....
· 10 min read
Rediscovering Jürgen Polman the Elder's Obscure Portrait

Rediscovering Jürgen Polman the Elder's Obscure Portrait

For over 50 years, this 17th-century portrait of the family patriarch has remained hidden — until now. Polmanarkivet unearthed this important artwork and invites you to explore its origins and the story of how it was rediscovered....
· 16 min read
Jürgen Polman (c. 1567 – c. 1633)

Jürgen Polman (c. 1567 – c. 1633)

With his diligence, perseverance and career choice, Jürgen Polman charted the course that many generations of his family line would follow....
· 17 min read
Carl Gustaf Påhlman (1679 – 1757)

Carl Gustaf Påhlman (1679 – 1757)

From surviving grave battle injuries to being exiled in Siberia for 14 years, Carl Gustaf Påhlman beat all the odds to eventually become a proud family man....
· 4 min read
Jöran Polman (1597 – c. 1647)

Jöran Polman (1597 – c. 1647)

Known for his diligent service marked by a portrait on the walls of Sweden's Skokloster Castle, Jöran Polman's life story is much darker behind the scenes....
· 12 min read

Margareta Silfversparre ( -1716)

Her many impassioned letters to both the church and the state indicate that Margareta Silfversparre refused to put up with unjust 17th century Swedish norms....
· 6 min read

Johan Påhlman (1623 – 1693)

Though he bears the distinction of introducing his family into Sweden’s noble classes, history indicates that Johan Påhlman made some troubling choices....
· 4 min read

Gustaf Påhlman ( -1695)

He served under Count Douglas, was knighted by Queen Kristina, and captured in Denmark – Gustaf Påhlman’s ascent to first lieutenant was consistent yet eventful....
· 5 min read

Christina Lilliesparre af Fylleskog ( -1651)

An alliance with the Lilliesparres brought a beautiful Ryssby manor – with which Christina was intimately acquainted – into the Polman family’s history....
· 5 min read

Anna Christina Påhlman ( -1670)

The social status of Anna Christina Påhlman was personally elevated by Sweden’s Queen Kristina to ensure equality with her brothers....
· 3 min read
A Brief History of Sweden

A Brief History of Sweden

Explore the dramatic saga of Sweden, from the Viking Age and the rise of empires to bloody unions and cultural revolutions....
· 11 min read
Stockholm: An Offbeat Travel Guide for History Lovers

Stockholm: An Offbeat Travel Guide for History Lovers

Teleport to the 17th and 18th centuries and tour the Swedish capital through the eyes of the Polmans and Påhlmans, who mingled with royalty at some of the city’s most influential and historic locations....
· 11 min read
Jürgen Polman’s Plea for Truth and Justice

Jürgen Polman’s Plea for Truth and Justice

In the early 17th century, an agitated Jürgen Polman penned a desperate letter to Axel Oxenstierna, the Lord High Chancellor of Sweden, appealing to him and the King for help in a matter regarding his land in Finland....
· 12 min read

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