Baron Clas Eriksson Fleming (Finnish: Klaus Fleming) (born 1535 in Parainen, Finland; died April 13, 1597 in Pohja, Finland) was a Finnish-born member of the Swedish nobility and admiral, who played an important role in Finnish history during the rise of Sweden as a Great Power. He was a trustee of the Swedish kings. In 1569 Fleming became a member of the Privy Council, in 1571 he was made Riksamiral and in 1590 Riksmarsk. As the Governor of Finland and Estonia he carried the duties of the highest authority of Finland and Estonia for the Swedish realm, next only to the King of Sweden. Fleming's father - a grandson of Björn Ragvaldsson - was the Councilor of State Erik Fleming (1487-1548), also a remarkable man and King Gustav Vasa's favourite. When studying Swedish history of the time it is noteworthy to know there were many persons in similar position with the name Clas Fleming at the time. Clas Eriksson Flemming should not be mixed with Claes Larsson Fleming (1592-1644), admiral and advisor to the king, or Claes Fleming (1649-1685), nobleman and politician.
