Ove Bjelke

Ove Bjelke (26 October 1611 – 29 March 1674) was a Norwegian nobleman, feudal lord and statesman. He served as Chancellor of Norway (1660–1674).^[1]

Ove Bjelke
Chancellor of Norway
In office 1660–1674
Monarchs	Frederick III Christian V
Preceded by	Jens Bjelke
Succeeded by	Johan Frederik von Marschalck
Governor of Trondhjems stiftamt
In office 1665–1674
Governors General	Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve Frederik Gabel
Preceded by	Claus von Ahlefeldt
Succeeded by	Joachim Frederik Wind
Governor of Bergenhus stiftamt
In office 1662–1665
Governors General	Iver Krabbe Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Claus von Ahlefeldt
Personal details
Born	(1611-10-26)26 October 1611 Trondheim, Norway, Denmark-Norway
Died	29 March 1674(1674-03-29) (aged 62) Trondheim, Norway, Denmark-Norway
Resting place	Austrått Manor
Nationality	Norwegian
Spouses	Maren Juel ​ ​ (m. 1643; died 1644)​ Regisse Gjedde ​ ​ (m. 1647; died 1657)​ Hedvig Lindenov ​ ​ (m. 1660)​
Parents	Jens Bjelke (father) Sophie Brockenhuus (mother)
Relatives	Henrik Bjelke (brother) Jørgen Bjelke (brother)
Alma mater	University of Padua
Occupation	Nobleman, feudal lord and statesman

Biography

The Renaissance Manor at Austrått (completed around 1656).

He was born in Trondheim; the son of Jens Bjelke (1580–1659) and Sophie Brockenhuus (1587-1656). He was the brother of Henrik Bjelke (1615-1683) and Jørgen Bjelke (1621-1696),^[2] both of whom also held prominent positions.

He grew up in a rich and cultured environment. He was educated at the University of Padua in Padua, Italy. His father held the office of Chancellor of Norway from 1614. When his father died in 1659, he took over several of his properties including Austrått manor in Sør-Trøndelag. Much of the manor as it stands today is the result of his efforts. He also served as Chancellor of Norway from 1660. In 1666 he was transferred as staple commander from Bergen to Trondheim.^[2] He was a signatory of the 1661 Sovereignty Act (Enevoldsarveregjeringsakten), the new constitution of Denmark-Norway, as one of the representatives of the noble estate.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Ove Bjelke was married three times; first time in 1643 with Maren Juel (died 1644), the second time in 1647 with Regitze Geddes (1629-1657), the third time in 1660 with Hedvig Lindenow (1635-1678).^[2] He was the father of several daughters.