Adelsfan (from the Swedish. Adelsfana - the noble banner, the noble banner) - cavalry, since 1565, exhibited by the Swedish nobles due to knighthood.
According to references in historical sources, during the reign of King Eric XIV (1560-1568) there were banners of the Upland, Westerland and Finnish nobility. However, subsequently the composition of adelsfan changed. In the 80s of the XVII century in Sweden there were six squadrons : Upland, Finnish, Vestyet, Södermanland, Estyet and horse.
Until 1729 Adelsfan was convened annually for training camps, but after this year, training camps began to be held every three years and only within individual lens .
Under Charles XI (1660–1697), the nobility gained the right to expose another warrior in their place, so the chivalric service turned from personal to land. Adelsfan under Charles XI was divided into 6 squadrons, numbering a total of 400 people in Sweden and another 150 in Finland. However, due to neglect of the service, the number of adelsfan gradually decreased and only 395 people attended the training camp in 1743 .
As a combat-ready unit of the Swedish army, adelsfan ceased to exist after the death of Charles XII in 1718 , but the last time he was going to train in 1743 . It was abolished in 1809 .
Sources
- Nordisk familjebok. B. 1. - Stockholm, 1904.
- Nationalencyklopedin.