“A half-million riksdaler. That’s what Cecilia Christina de Schøller was worth when she died”. This remarkable woman’s legacy extends far beyond her considerable wealth. We stand near where she rests in Copenhagen’s Assistens Cemetery. Her story is one of ambition resilience and a remarkable rise to power.
Cecilia Christina de Schøller was born Sidsel Kirstine Frølich in 1720. She wasn’t born into immense wealth but her family had connections to Danish nobility. She married Stie Tønsberg Schøller a wealthy man. After his death she inherited a fortune including sawmills and significant land holdings.
But Cecilia was not one to rest on her laurels. She was ambitious. She wanted more than the title of chamberlain’s wife. She wasn’t content with simply managing her husband’s legacy. She aimed for something greater. She undertook daring projects. She built Stiftsgården in Trondheim a massive wooden palace. It was one of the largest wooden structures in Scandinavia. She spared no expense. The construction required so much timber that it reportedly denuded the surrounding forests.
Cecilia’s ambition didn’t stop there. In 1776 she journeyed to Copenhagen. She sought and obtained the title of geheimrådinne. This was unprecedented. It was the highest title ever given to a non-noble Norwegian woman. Moreover it was the first time this title was bestowed on a woman in her own right. She even placed a countess’s crown in her monogram on the Stiftsgården’s iron railing to assert her rank.
Cecilia’s life wasn’t without challenges. Her only daughter Elisabeth died young. Cecilia herself spent her final years in Copenhagen. She passed away in 1786. She was buried under the pulpit of St Nicolai Church in Copenhagen. After a fire destroyed the church her remains were moved to Assistens Cemetery. Her gravestone is a testament to her life. It bears a map of Norway a fitting tribute to a woman who made her mark on the country.
Despite never living in it Stiftsgården became a significant part of Cecilia’s story. It still stands. It is now the official royal residence in Trondheim. Cecilia Christina de Schøller’s story inspires. It is a testament to a woman who defied expectations and left an enduring mark on history. Her life continues to intrigue and captivate. Remember her when you visit Stiftsgården. Remember her when you remember this cemetery.