CHRISTINA PIPER a Woman’S Power and Creativity by Mia Gröndahl

CHRISTINA PIPER A Woman’s Power and Creativity By Mia Gröndahl

Diligent, fearless and resolute, Christina Piper ruled over an empire that included manors, palaces, numerous business ventures and an alum works. During the frst decades of the 18th century, Christina Piper was a prominent entrepreneur in the Nordic region, her skills were seldom equalled by her peers, both men and women. In 1751, the year before her death, Christina Piper wrote these words to her only son and main heir, Carl Fredrik Piper: “I have learned to know the world; honour and reputation have always followed me and with the blessings of those on High I have amassed considerable property, this would never have happened had I corrected myself by the ways of others, or frittered away my days in search of companionship and amusement...”

Te Young Christina

What a joyful beginning to the new year! On Sunday, 1st January 1673, Christina Olofsdotter Törne frst saw the light of day. She was the frst child of Olof Hansson Törne and 20-year old Margareta Andersén, and the frst of fve siblings, two brothers and three sisters.

Te family lives a stone’s throw from Stortorget in Gamla stan, the bustling commercial centre of Stockholm, where her parents are successful entrepreneurs. Tey are well on the way to establishing a fortune and believe that women and men should have equal inheritance rights.

As with her brothers, Christina is taught to read, write and count in the confnes of her home; schools and universities are only for boys. Once she has completed her home- schooling she will be married to an appropriate spouse; he will have been carefully vetted by her parents. Christina’s wealth must not be thrown away; it is a family asset that must be nurtured for the beneft of the family and its position in society. Christina’s parents do not have to search far for a suitable husband, he already exists in the family. Te Golden Years

Shortly after her 17th birthday, Christina marries Carl Piper, a high-ranking Swedish civil servant. Carl is her step-uncle and of the same generation as her parents. He began his career as a government clerk and has progressed through society’s ranks to become a State Secretary at Karl XI’s court. Te marriage of Christina’s prosperous family and Carl Piper's important government post heralds a bright future. Christina's parents wedding present to the newly married couple is a stately home at Munkbron in Gamla Stan in the centre of Stockholm.

Christina’s role as housewife requires her to manage the home and produce children – she seems to get pregnant easily and after just eight years she has produced six daughters, just three survive infancy.

In 1697, Karl XII inherits the Swedish throne and Carl Piper is promoted to Advisor to the King and granted the titles of Count and Baron. At just 24 years old, Christina is now entitled to wear the red robe of the Privy Council. Te doors to power are wide open.

A War Widow

A dramatic change takes place in Christina’s life in February 1700. Te joy of giving birth to a son, Carl Fredrik, is overshadowed by the declaration of the Great Northern War and her husband’s enlistment as Head of the Swedish Field Ofce. At 27, Christina unexpectedly fnds herself as a war widow.

With no man to lean on, Christina is now responsible for her family, household and fnances, but because she is a woman she has limited legal rights. Nevertheless, Christina takes the reigns and by skilful use of networking at court she soon becomes a fgure of infuence and authority.

In the ffth year of the war, Christina visits her husband in the feld and at their last meeting in Germany in 1707 Christina once again becomes pregnant with their daughter, Sofa. Sofa will never meet her father. At the Battle of Poltava, Carl Piper is captured and he lives out the rest of his life as a prisoner of war in Russia. He dies in 1716.

When peace is eventually declared, Sweden has lost a large part of its male population and the country’s economy is on its knees. At 43, for the frst time in her life, Christina is now allowed to make her own decisions. She determines to never re-marry and live out her days in the Province of Skåne where she believes her future lies. Te Uncrowned Queen of Skåne

In the autumn of 1720 Christina Piper and Sofa, her youngest daughter, move to Krageholm Manor in Skåne. By this time Sofa’s sisters are married and Carl Fredrik is employed by Queen Ulrika Eleonora as Court Chamberlain. Christina’s writing desk at Krageholm Manor is the pulpit from where she supervises her properties, investments, employees and growing family.

From her new home in Skåne, Christina initiates several new and exciting projects. Her biggest challenge is the alum works at Andrarum. Christina had started investing in the works as early as 1715, but it was to take many years before she acquires the majority of the shares and thereby full control of this very proftable company. She becomes interested in property development and is responsible for fve new manors and their landscaped gardens. Te jewel in the crown is Christinehof, which is close by the alum works. Christinehof or the New House, as it is known at the time of building, is completed in 1741. However, Christina feels at home at Krageholm Manor and will never leave it. Christinehof becomes an overnight residence on her visits to the alum works – it is certainly a worthy stopover for Skåne's uncrowned queen.

Christina and Our Lord

Christina spent the last few years of her life at Krageholm Manor surrounded by her Bielke grandchildren, lap dogs and companions, Helena Kylander and Anna Maria Rudbeck. Her snuf box was always within easy reach. Every morning and evening Christina would retire to the chapel she had built at Krageholm. Having organised the entailed estates to protect the hard-won empire she had established, only one question remained: Was Our Lord satisfed with the manner in which Christina had conducted her extraordinary life? Christina could lay claim to a long list of good deeds. She has worked hard throughout her life. Financed the beautifcation of many churches. Established a poorhouse for deprived women at the Alum Works. Made donations to universities and hospitals. Encouraged her employees follow the teachings of Jesus. Promoted Pietism, a Lutheran revival movement that reached Sweden in the 18th century. With its belief in mankind’s independence, inner discipline and ability to create opportunities that would beneft the world, the doctrines of Pietism were well-matched to Christina’s convictions. One wonders what her life would have been had she not dared to break new ground, think her own thoughts and carry out her decisions? After a short period of illness, Christina Piper died at Krageholm Manor on 25th March, 1752. She was 79 years old.

Te young Christina Piper 27 ar nybliven krigsa nka