Karin Gyllenstierna

Karin Göransdotter Gyllenstierna (before 1538 – died between 1602 and 1605) was a Swedish courtier. She served as Chief Court Mistress to queen Catherine Jagellon and, after her death, to Princess Anna Vasa of Sweden. Biography Private life Karin was the daughter of riksråd Göran Eriksson Gyllenstierna of Fogelvik (- 1575) and Kerstin Nilsdotter Grip (- 1538). She was thereby a relative of the famous Christina Gyllenstierna. She married Nils Månsson Natt och Dag in 1553. She was thereby the sister-in-law of Margareta Birgersdotter Grip, who were also her neighbor on the estate Bro. She became a widow in 1554, and gave birth to her son Nils Nilsson Natt och Dag (1554-1613) posthumously. As the guardian of her son, she managed his estate until he was declared of legal majority in 1573. In 1566, she became engaged to riksråd Ivar Ivarsson Liljeörn. She never married him, but the couple consummated their engagement and had a son, Ivar Ivarsson (1567-1590). In 1567, her fiancé was murdered during the Sture Murders. Despite never being married to Liljeörn, she took control of his property, considering it the inheritance of herself and her son after her betrothed. This entangled her in a lawsuit over the inheritance with his relatives, which lasted for the rest of her life. In 1587, the King declared his support for her right in the dispute. This did not end it, however. In 1594, her rights were for a second time confirmed over that of the relatives of her late fiancé, but again without the feud being put to an end.