Background
The son of Privy Councillor Christian Skeel, Albret Skeel was born at Fussingø on 23 November 1572.
The son of Privy Councillor Christian Skeel, Albret Skeel was born at Fussingø on 23 November 1572.
He attended Viborg School from the age of 9 and until 1585 when he was sent abroad to further his education, studying in Strasbourg, Padova and Sienna before returning home by way of France and England.
Back in Denmark, Skeel was appointed squire at King Christian IV"s court. In 1597 he escorted the king on his journey to Brandenburg to marry Anne Catherine of Brandenburg, and the following year the king"s brother, Duke Ulrik, on a journey to France, England and Scotland. In 1599 he was appointed royal cup-bearer and over the next few years accompanied the king on several more journeys.
In 1618 he was sent on a mission to Gottorp and in 1620 to Bremen and that same year he commanded a fleet in the North Sea.
In the 1620 he embarked on criticism of Christian IV"s foreign policies and, after a confrontation with the king, was forced to resign. In 1629 he was a commissioner at the peace negotiations at Lübeck, and in 1631 and 1632 he was present at the Swedish peace negotiations at Lübeck.
He died on 9 April 1639 and is buried at Ribe Cathedral. Skeel held Riberhus in fee from 1601 to 1627 and again from 1628 to 1639.
He acquired Katholm Manor in 1616.
He had the following children:
Christen Skeel, b. 27 July 1603, Riberhus, daughter 30 March 1659, Copenhagen
Christoffer Skeel, b.
24 November 1604, Riberhus, daughter
16 June 1622, Tübingen Baden-Württemberg
Otte Skeel, b. 29 November 1605, Riberhus, daughter
26 May 1644, Gjorslev Manor
Anne Albretsdatter Skeel, b. 24 February 1607, Riberhus, daughter
1662
Margrethe Albretsdatter Skeel, b.
1626, Riberhus, daughter 19 July 1647, Odense.
In 1616, after distinguishing himself in the Kalmar War from 1611 to 1613, he was appointed as Admiral of the Realm and a member of the Privy Council.
