Robert Lichton facts for kids
Robert Lichton (born 1631, died 1692) was an important military leader and judge in the Swedish Empire. He was known as the Lord of Ulishaven in Scotland and Lord of Tervik. He became a high-ranking Lieutenant General in the Swedish Army. He also served as the President of the Superior Court of Justice in Åbo (now Turku, Finland).
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Robert Lichton's Life and Work
Robert Lichton was born in 1631 in Porvoo, a town in what is now Finland. At that time, Porvoo was part of the Swedish Empire. His father, Colonel John Lichtoun, died in 1636 during the Thirty Years' War. Robert inherited his family's estate called Tervik when he was still a child.
Joining the Army
When Robert was fifteen, he joined the Swedish Army as a private soldier. He was a musketeer, which meant he carried a type of gun called a musket. He fought in many military campaigns across Germany, Poland, and Denmark.
In 1661, Lichton became a member of the Swedish House of Nobility. This was a special group for noble families in Sweden. He continued to rise through the ranks in the army.
Rising Through the Ranks
By 1675, Robert Lichton was promoted to the rank of Colonel. He was also given the title of baron. In 1681, when he was fifty years old, he became a Major General. At this time, he was appointed Governor of Estonia, which was also part of the Swedish Empire.
Just four years later, in 1685, he became a Lieutenant General in the Swedish army. This was a very high military rank. Two years after that, he was made President of the Superior Court of Justice in Åbo. This meant he was a very important judge. At the same time, he became a Royal Counselor and was given the title of Count. He was also known as the Baron of Ulishaven and Lord of Tervik and Peraniemi.
Bravery in Battle
Robert Lichton was known for his bravery in battles. He fought bravely in the Battle of the Sound. During the Battle of Lund in 1676, he was hit by several bullets. Even though he was injured, he continued to fight with great courage.
King Charles XI of Sweden often called him Count Lichton. The King even attended Robert's funeral in 1692, showing how much he respected him.
Scottish Roots
Even though Robert Lichton was born in Sweden, he always felt connected to Scotland. His father, John Lichton, had faced money problems before Robert was born. John sold his family's land in Scotland to pay off debts.
John Lichton then decided to become a mercenary, which is a soldier who fights for money for a foreign country. He joined the army of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden in 1614 to fight in the Thirty Years' War. This is how the family came to live in Sweden.
Family Coat of Arms
After 1675, Robert Lichton asked for a special document called a "birth brief." This allowed him to officially register his family's coat of arms in Edinburgh, Scotland. A coat of arms is a special design that represents a family.
His coat of arms showed a red lion on a silver background. It also had a green palm tree as a crest. His family motto was "Per adversa virtus," which means "courage through adversity." This new motto likely referred to how his father had helped the family regain its good standing.
Family Life
Robert Lichton was married, but he did not have any sons.
