Nils Henriksson

Nils Henriksson was Norway’s wealthiest and most powerful magnate of his time. His peak of wealth and power came in the last year of his life.

Henriksson was at the forefront of Norwegian political life. In 1515 he was appointed drotsete – a country’s leading administrator or second after the king – and was sent on a mission to the Netherlands to bring Isabella of Austria, Christian II’s (r. 1513-1523) bride, to Denmark. Henriksson’s political power was backed by his wealth from his numerous estates which were in Bergen, Vardøhus, Hålogaland, Fosen, Frosta, Stjørdal, Sunnmøre, Romsdal, Edøy, Selbu and Herjedalen.

After Christian II was deposed in 1523, nobles decided that Henriksson should take possession of Bergen and assume control of the norther part of Christian’s former kingdom. However, he died that same year, before he assumed control of Bergen.