Gyldenløve

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Gyldenløve (English, "Golden Lion") is an important surname in Danish and Norwegian history. Gyldenløve was a name given to illegitimate, but recognized, children of the Danish royal family, as was Gyldenstjerne ("Golden Star") in earlier generations.

The name Gyldenløve was given to the illegitimate sons of three kings of Denmark:

Christian IV of Denmark had many illegitimate children by various mothers. Three of his illegitimate sons were publicly acknowledged and received the surname Gyldenløve:

Christian Ulrik (1611-1640) by Kirsten Madsdatter
Hans Ulrik (1615-1645) by Karen Andersdatter
Ulrik Christian (1630-1658) by Vibeke Kruse

Frederick III of Denmark fathered Ulrik Frederick (1638-1704) by Margrethe Pape; he was also acknowledged and received the surname Gyldenløve. He earned the respect of the Norwegian people when serving as Statholder there.

Christian V of Denmark fathered five children with Sophie Amalie Moth:

Christiane Gyldenløve (1672-1689)
Christian Gyldenløve (1674-1703)
Sophie Christiane Gyldenløve (1675-1684)
Anna Christiane Gyldenløve (1676-1689)
Ulrik Christian Gyldenløve (1678-1719), Count of Samsø. Not to be confused with the son of Christian IV.

References

A History of Norway by Karen Larson, Princeton University Press, 1948
The History of the Norwegian People by Knut Gjerset, MacMillan, 1915

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