Armfelt, GUSTAF MAURITZ, born in Finland, 1757, during the war between Sweden and Russia (1788-90) displayed remarkable courage and spirit. He defeated the Russians near Fredriks-hamn, and, as military representative of Gustavus III., concluded the peace of Verelä. In 1792 Gustavus, mortally wounded by an assassin, signed a codicil, intrusting the regency to his brother, Charles, during the minority of Gustavus IV., and naming Armfelt governor of Stockholm. Charles, however, destroyed the codicil; and Armfelt, conscious that his influence was waning, after a secret interview with young Gustavus, departed as ambassador to Naples. There he entered into correspondence with certain parties in Sweden for the purpose of overthrowing the regency. The plot was discovered. Armfelt fled to Poland, and afterwards to Russia. He was condemned, during his absence, for high treason, and stripped of his goods and titles, while one of his associates, the beautiful Countess Rudensköld, was subjected to the most brutal punishment. In 1799 Gustavus IV. received the crown at the age of eighteen, and Armfelt was restored to all his honours. Next in 1809 Gustavus was deposed, the ex-regent elected in his place, and
Armfelt appointed president of the Military Council. But shortly after, being implicated in the poisoning of the Prince of Augustenburg, he was obliged to flee to Russia, where, having received high honours, he died in 1814. See his Autobiography (Stock. 1830).