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{{Short description|Governor of Tranquebar from 1702 to 1704}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name          = Jørgen Bjørn
| order         = 17th
| monarch       = [[Frederick IV of Denmark|Frederick IV]]
| country       = [[Denmark–Norway]]
| predecessor   = [[Mikkel Knudsen Crone]]
| successor     = [[Johan Sigismund Hassius]]
| birth_date    = 1652
| birth_place   = Copenhagen, Denmark–Norway
| death_date    = 12 June 1704
| death_place   = [[Tranquebar]], Danish India
| office        = Governor of Tranquebar
| term_start    = July 1702
| term_end      = 12 June 1704
| spouse        = {{marriage|Margrethe Dahl|1675|end=div}}<br />{{marriage|Anna Lauritsdatter Uddal|1699}}
| children      = 4-6
| battles       = [[Battle of Helgoland (1684)|Battle of Heligoland]]<br />[[Dano-Mughal War]]<br />[[Arrest attempt of Jørgen Bjørn]]
| allegiance    = [[Denmark–Norway]]
| service_years = 1671–1701
| branch        = [[History of the Danish navy|Royal Danish Navy]]
| rank          = ''[[Schout-bij-nacht#Denmark–Norway|Schoutbynacht]]''
}}
'''Jørgen''' '''Hermandsen Bjørn{{Efn|{{IPA|da|jœɐ̯n haɐ̯mansən bjœɐ̯n}}}}''' (1652 – 12 June 1704) was a Danish captain and [[governor of Tranquebar]] from July 1702 to his death on 12 June 1704.

Bjørn was born in Copenhagen in 1652 and went to sea at the age of 16. In 1671, he entered the [[History of the Danish navy|Danish navy]] and became a captain in 1682, participating in the conquest of [[Heligoland]] in 1684. The following year, he went to [[Danish India]], possibly [[Dano-Mughal War|conducting privateering against the Mughals]], and returned in 1687. During the return voyage, he became involved in a conflict with Governor [[Wolf Henrik von Kalnein]], who wanted to arrest Bjørn. After a short armed encounter, Bjørn's ship left the fleet and returned to Copenhagen alone.

In 1701, he was appointed [[Governor of Danish India]] and reached the Danish colony of [[Tranquebar]] in July 1702. Notwithstanding, he governed with great authority and caused trade to decline. Consequently, he was replaced by [[Johan Sigismund Hassius]] on 31 June 1704, but had already died on 12 June.

== Early career ==
Jørgen Hermandsen Bjørn was born in Copenhagen in 1652.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=47}}{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=120}} He was the son of a sailmaker and compassmaker at [[Bremerholm]], Herman Bjørn (or Bjørnssøn),{{Sfn|Bricka|1905|p=430}}{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=120}} and Birgitte Lygtemager Bjørn,{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} daughter of the [[List of Danish vice admirals|Danish vice admiral]], Jørgen Bjørnsen.{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}}

At the age of 16, he went to sea and in 1671 became a naval [[cadet]].{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=47}}{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=120}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} In 1673, he became a [[Lieutenant]] and was on board the vessel, ''Hvide Falk'', in the following year under the command of {{ill|Christian Bielke|da}}.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=47}} Hereafter, Bjørn conducted merchant shipping in India for eight years.{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=55}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=47}}{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=120}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} Bjørn became Captain of the 3rd Class in 1682 and received many commands, including commanding the [[frigate]] ''Tumleren'' in 1684 during the conquest of [[Heligoland]].{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=47}}{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=120}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}}{{Sfn|Lützow|1788|p=128}}

== Captain of ''Antoinetta'' ==
{{Main|Arrest attempt of Jørgen Bjørn}}
{{See also|Wolf Henrik von Kalnein}}
In 1685, Bjørn became Captain of 2 Class and got a sea passport ({{Langx|da|sø-pas|label=none}}) as captain of ''Antoinetta'' on 19 September of the same year. Together with the [[Governor of Tranquebar]], [[Wolf Henrik von Kalnein]], on the ''Flyvende Ulv'', ''Antoinetta'' sailed for [[Danish India]] on 7 October, reaching the Danish colony of [[Tranquebar]] on 12 July 1686.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=47}}<!-- Incorrectly stated as 1684 in Larsen 1940-->

It is possible that Bjørn partook in the [[Dano-Mughal War]] with ''Antoinetta'', capturing a [[Prize (law)|prize]] renamed ''Gyldenløve''.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=47}}

On 11 October 1687, Bjørn returned to Copenhagen from Tranquebar with ''Flyvende Ulv'', ''Gyldenløve'', and the [[Yacht#History|yacht]] ''Haabet''.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=47}} During the return voyage, Bjørn became increasingly more in conflict with Wolf Henrik von Kalnein:{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=47}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} once reaching the [[Cape of Good Hope]], Bjørn was berated by von Kalnein in front of the entire crew.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}} The fleet left the Cape of Good Hope on 27 January 1688,{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}} reaching [[Ascension Island]] on 29 February.{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} Here, the relationship between Bjørn and von Kalnein completely deteriorated: von Kalnein summoned Bjørn to ''Flyvende Ulv''; however, upon warnings that von Kalnein would arrest Bjørn, the latter excused himself and remained on board ''Antoinetta''. In response, von Kalnein sent two vessels with armed men to ''Antoinetta'', but they were quickly driven away after a short encounter.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}}

Subsequently, the ship council on ''Antoinetta'' resolved to make the ship ready for sailing in case of attack. Again on 5 March, the ship council decided to leave the fleet and go directly to Copenhagen. ''Antoinetta'' reached Copenhagen on 19 June 1688, but Bjørn initially refrained from complaining about von Kalnein.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}}

== Governor of Tranquebar ==
On 2 June 1691, Bjørn received the office of [[Commander of Dansborg]] by royal decree,{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} but was quickly dismissed on 7 October.{{Sfn|Rise|2011}} However, shortly thereafter, a different decision was made regarding him.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}} In 1694, he became the commanding captain of the frigate ''Søhunden'', which he saved during a storm in the [[Texel roadstead]] through his [[seamanship]].{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}} Furthermore, he was appointed head of the shipyard in [[Christianssand]], Norway, in 1699,{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=120}}{{Sfn|Engevold|2022}} but stepped down on 5 April 1701.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}}

On 17 September 1701, he was appointed as the [[Governor of Danish India]] by the [[Danish East India Company]].{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} Consequently, he left the [[History of the Danish navy|Danish navy]] on 20 September and instead became ''[[schoutbynacht]]'' in November.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}}{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|pp=120–121}} It is not known why Bjørn was chosen as governor; nonetheless, it is likely that his wealthy father-in-law, {{ill|Laurits Andersen Undal|no}}, who was a shareholder in the {{Abbr|D.E.I.C.|Danish East India Company}}, may have influenced this decision.{{Sfn|Engevold|2022}}

Upon his arrival at Tranquebar in July 1702,{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=55}} he intervened authoritatively in all affairs, abolishing the old ceremonial military honors for secretaries and officers, so that no one received any respect except himself, who retained a military escort of 1 lower officer ({{Langx|da|underofficer|label=none}}), 6 white soldiers, and 8 to 10 {{Langx|da|talliarer|label=none}} ([[sepoy]]s from present-day [[Thirunallar]]).{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}} Accordingly, Jørgen Bjørn set about enjoying to the full extent the benefits his position offered: in particular, he was keen on exploiting the Indian custom of giving gifts on festive occasions, such as when applying for offices and "thank-you visits." The Danish officers kept everything in the old routine and were left undisturbed in their own affairs.{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=59}} Despite this, many of them felt that Bjørn put his own interests before theirs and the company's.{{Sfn|Engevold|2022}} Concurrently, Bjørn increased his private fortune, while his wife, Anna Uddal,{{Efn|Some older sources erroneously identify Bjørn's wife as "Anna Dahl".{{sfn|Larsen|1907|page=59}}{{sfn|Lützow|1788|page=179}} It is possible that the 18th-century historian, {{Interlanguage link|Johan Henrik Lützow|da}}, had confused Anna Uddal with Bjørn's earlier wife, Margrethe Dahl.{{sfn|Thomle|1888|page=71}}}} ensured that [[Danish Governor Bungalow|the Government House]] became the center of social life.{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=59}}

Bjørn continued the fortification works on [[Fort Dansborg]], so that in 1704, the so-called {{Langx|da|ravelinen|label=none}} (fortified island) was finished.{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=59}} Nevertheless, trade got worse everywhere,{{Sfn|Engevold|2022}} especially on the [[Malabar Coast]], where trade almost completely ceased for a period.{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=59}} This was soon noticed by the company management in Copenhagen,{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=59}} who therefore decided to elect [[Johan Sigismund Hassius]] as the new governor and bring Bjørn home.{{Sfn|Engevold|2022}} Hassius reached Tranquebar on 31 June 1704; however, Bjørn had already died on 12 June.{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48|pp=48, 71}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1907|p=60}}{{Sfn|Thomle|1888|p=69}}

== Personal life ==
Jørgen Bjørn was married twice:{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=121}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}}{{Sfn|Thomle|1888|p=69}} first in 1675 to Margrethe Dahl and second to Anna Lauritsdatter Uddal in {{Circa|1699}}.{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|pp=120–121}} He had 3-4 children in his first marriage,{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} and is mentioned as a father on 12 April 1684 in [[Holmen Church]].{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=121}}

He remarried in c. 1699 in Christianssand with Anna Lauritsdatter Uddal.{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=120}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} Together, they had Jørgen Bjørn ({{Born in|29 September 1704}} in Tranquebar),{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}}{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}}{{Sfn|Klitgaard|1918}} but also raised other non-biological children,{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} including Anne Sophie Jørgensdatter (b. 1 July 1691 in Copenhagen).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Topsøe-Jensen |first=Theodor Andreas |date=2011-07-17 |title=Peter Grib |url=https://biografiskleksikon.lex.dk/Peter_Grib |access-date=2025-12-23 |website=Dansk Biografisk Leksikon {{!}} Lex |language=da}}</ref> Additionally, a number of later sources talk of a certain Anna Cathrina, claimed to be born in Tranquebar in 1703,{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} which could be a biological daughter of Jørgen Bjørn.{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=294}} Furthermore, Norwegian [[Genealogy|genealogist]] {{ill|Erik Andreas Thomle|no}} claims that Jørgen Bjørn and Anna Uddal had a second child, named Margrethe Bjørn.{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=121}}

After Bjørn's death in 1704, Anna Uddal became notably wealthy and remained in Tranquebar.{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}} She remarried in 1707 to the new governor of Tranquebar, Johan Sigismund Hassius,{{Sfn|Christensen|2021|p=291}}{{Sfn|Larsen|1940|p=48}} who received much of her wealth.{{Sfn|Thomle|1906|p=121}}{{Sfn|Bricka|1887}}

== See also ==

* {{Annotated link|Claus Vogdt}}
* {{Annotated link|Moritz Hartmann (officer)}}
* {{Annotated link|Sivert Adeler}}

== Notes and references ==

=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}

=== References ===
{{Reflist}}

== Works cited ==
* {{Cite book |last=Larsen |first=Kay |author-link=Kay Larsen |url=https://slaegtsbibliotek.dk/922667.pdf |title=Guvernører, Residenter, Kommandanter og Chefer |publisher=Arthur Jensens Forlag |year=1940 |location=[[Copenhagen]] |language=Danish}}
* {{Cite book |last=Larsen |first=Kay |title=De dansk-ostindiske Koloniers Historie |publisher=Centralforlaget |year=1907 |location=Copenhagen |language=Danish |trans-title=History of the Danish East Indian Colonies}}
* {{Cite book |last=Christensen |first=Bernhard |title=Om min grønlandske familie |publisher=self-published |year=2021 |language=Danish |trans-title=About my Greenlandic family|url=https://slaegtsbibliotek.dk/924331.pdf}}
*{{Cite book |last=Thomle |first=Erik Andreas |url=https://www.google.dk/books/edition/Personalhistorisk_tidsskrift/fPFAAAAAYAAJ?hl=da&gbpv=1&dq=johan+sigismund+hassius&pg=PA121&printsec=frontcover |title=Personhistorisk tidsskrift |publisher=Samfundet for dansk genealogi og personalhistorie |year=1906 |volume=27 |location=Harvard University |language=Danish |trans-title=Journal of personal history}}
*{{Cite book |last=Klitgaard |first=Carl |title=Kjærulfske studier |publisher=Schultz Forlag |year=1918 |language=Danish |trans-title=Kjærulfian studies|url=https://slaegtsbibliotek.dk/920064.pdf|pages=215}}
*{{Cite book |last=Engevold |first=Per Ivar |title=Nordmenn i slavefart |publisher=Humanist Forlag |year=2022 |language=Norwegian |trans-title=Norwegians in the slave trade |url=https://www.google.dk/books/edition/Nordmenn_i_slavefart/jVdhEAAAQBAJ?hl=da&gbpv=1&dq=J%C3%B8rgen+bj%C3%B8rn+trankebar&pg=PT94&printsec=frontcover}}
*{{Cite book |last=Bricka |first=Carl Frederik |url=https://www.google.dk/books/edition/Dansk_biografisk_lexikon/BbxAAAAAYAAJ?hl=da&gbpv=1&dq=Dansk+biografisk+lexikon+hassius&pg=PA290&printsec=frontcover |title=Dansk biografisk lexikon |publisher=[[Gyldendal]] |year=1887 |location=Copenhagen |pages=290 |language=Danish |trans-title=Danish biographical dictionary}}
*{{Cite book |last=Rise |first=Hansen |title=Sources of the History of North Africa, Asia and Oceania in Denmark |publisher=[[De Gruyter]] |year=2011 |language=en |url=https://www.google.dk/books/edition/Sources_of_the_History_of_North_Africa_A/EL77Dk9jyaQC?hl=da&gbpv=1&dq=J%C3%B8rgen+bj%C3%B8rn+tranquebar&pg=PA59&printsec=frontcover|pages=59}}
*{{Cite book |last=Thomle |first=Erik Andreas |title=Personhistorisk tidsskrift |publisher=Samfundet for dansk genealogi og personalhistorie |year=1888 |volume=3 |location=Copenhagen |language=Danish |trans-title=Journal of personal history |url=https://slaegtsbibliotek.dk/900990.pdf}}
*{{Cite book |last=Bricka |first=Carl Frederik |title=Dansk biografisk lexikon |publisher=[[Gyldendal]] |year=1905 |language=Danish |trans-title=Danish biographical dictionary|url=https://runeberg.org/dbl/19/0520.html|pages=430|volume=19}}
*{{Cite book |last=Lützow |first=Johan Henrik |title=Historiske Efterretninger om Danske Søe-officierer |publisher=Johan Frederik Schultz |year=1788 |language=Danish |trans-title=Historic information about Danish naval officers |author-link=:da:Johan Henrik Lützow |url=https://www.kb.dk/e-mat/dod/130020578212.pdf |location=Copenhagen |volume=1}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bjorn, Jorgen}}
[[Category:1652 births]]
[[Category:1704 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Copenhagen]]
[[Category:People from Danish India]]
[[Category:Tranquebar]]
[[Category:Governors of Danish India]]
[[Category:17th-century Danish naval officers]]