Summary

By Eric Bylander
Assistant

The information on this webpage is from a book published to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Royal Swedish Orders of Chivalry in 1998. In 1748 H M King Frederick I became the first Sovereign of three Royal Swedish Orders: the Order of the Seraphim (Serafimerorden), the Order of the Sword (Svärdsorden), and the Order of the Polar Star (Nordstjärneorden). Although preceded by several earlier attempts this is regarded as the first Swedish system of orders in the strict sense. In 1772 it was supplemented by a fourth Royal Order, the Order of Vasa (Vasaorden), founded by H M King Gustavus III.

As the most eminent of the four Royal Swedish Orders the Order of the Seraphim was intended to be conferred upon foreign sovereigns and potentates, as well as Swedish subjects of the very highest ranks. The Order of the Sword was instituted mainly as a reward for military achievements, the Order of the Polar Star for achievements in public service, and the Order of Vasa for achievements of arts, trade, and agriculture. The Order of the Seraphim has only one class, the others have several. In 1952 the orders began to be conferred upon females and males alike. Before that only some few female sovereigns had been granted the Order of the Seraphim.

According to a resolution of the Parliament in 1973 (which came into force in 1975) the Order of the Seraphim and the Order of the Polar Star are still to be conferred, but only upon non-Swedish citizens (except for members of the Swedish Royal family). The Order of the Seraphim is conferred upon foreign Heads of State and their equals (such as successors to the throne) and the Order of the Polar Star upon foreigners in recognition of personal achievements for Sweden or Swedish interests. The Order of the Sword and the Order of Vasa are no longer in use.

In connection With each of the Orders there is a Medal, and of these the Seraphim Medal (Serafimermedaljen) and The Polar Star Medal (Nordstjärnemedaljen) are still in use.
Since 1748 the Royal Order of the Seraphim has been conferred on 882 men and women . A Swedish male possessor of the order is called “Knight and (Knight) Commander”, a female “Member and (Dame) Commander” of the Royal Orders. A clerical possessor is a “Member of the ecclesiastical estate”. Foreigners are called “Knight” or “Member” respectively. The collar (kedja) of the order is always included in the case of Swedish Knights, but it is a separate mark of honour for female and foreign possessors.

There is a roll of the holders of the Order of the Seraphim on these pages, compiled by the editor of the book, the Amanuensis to the Royal Swedish Orders Per Nordenvall (additions for knights and members 1998-2019 made by Timo at the Department of Education and Exhibitions). The roll contains information about every single Knight and Member. The serial number of the holder is followed by his/ her name and titles at the time of the conferment. The date and place of birth (⋆) and death (✝) are followed by details concerning the conferment (utnämnd etc). Information as to the motto (valspråk), the armorial panel (sköld), and possession of other Swedish (and before 1905 Norwegian) marks of honour (övriga utmärkelser) precedes the general biographical notes (biografi).
On the death of a Knight or a Member of the Order of the Seraphim his or her coat of arms, painted on copper, will be set up in The Riddarholm Church (Riddarholmskyrkan). Until then the coat of arms is kept at The Chancery of the Royal Orders at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. All the existing armorial paintings are reproduced in colour in connection with the roll of Knights and Members.