Görtz, Georg Heinrich von
Görtz, Georg Heinrich von
(gā`ôrk hīn`rĭkh fən görts), 1668–1719, Swedish diplomat and financial expert, a German. While in the service of Frederick V, duke of Holstein-Gottorp, he helped create the duke's alliance with Sweden, which threatened Danish power in Schleswig-HolsteinSchleswig-Holstein, state (1994 pop. 2,595,000), c.6,050 sq mi (15,670 sq km), NW Germany. Kiel (the capital and chief port), Lübeck, Flensburg, and Neumünster are the major cities.
..... Click the link for more information. . He won the favor of Charles XIICharles XII,
1682–1718, king of Sweden (1697–1718), son and successor of Charles XI. The regency under which he succeeded was abolished in 1697 at the request of the Riksdag. At the coronation he omitted the usual oath and crowned himself.
..... Click the link for more information. of Sweden and became his chief minister in 1714. He tried to improve the position of Sweden by conducting (1718) peace negotiations with Russia to end the Northern War, but Charles would make no concessions. The unpopular measures of the reign were blamed upon Görtz, who had financed Charles's wars by depreciating Swedish currency. After Charles's death the new queen had Görtz executed as a traitor because of his past acts and because he supported the duke of Holstein-Gottorp, who was her rival for the throne.