Trond Torleivsson Benkestok

Trond Torleivsson Benkestok (c. 1495 – 14 February 1558) was a Norwegian knight and lensherre (lord) of Bergenhus Fortress.

Trond was born around 1495 (or before 1500) in Bergen to nobleman Torleiv Trondson Benkestok and Adelus Eriksdotter Kruckow. In 1532, Trond actively supported Johan Kruckow, who wanted Frederik I on the Norwegian throne. As Frederick won the struggle, Trond was awarded the title of væpner (squire). He was probably a supporter of Roman Catholicism until the last Catholic archbishop Olav Engelbrektsson fled Norway in 1537.

Among other places, he owned much land in Meløy, Nordland which he had as his main farm from no later than 1540. In 1541 he received taxes from the church of Meløy and from Sunnfjord len. He was awarded Sunnmøre len, the land of Stigten in 1547, and around the same time he was also promoted to knight.

In 1555 he took charge of Bergenhus Fortress, and in the years 1555-56 he was commander-in-chief during the absence of Christopher Huitfeldt. Claus Bille once described Trond as the "most respected and wise nobleman North of the mountains".

Trond was married to Anna Jonsdotter Haard (c. 1510 - 27 November 1567), who together had sons Jon and Tord, and daughters Adelus, Kristin and Brynild. Trond died on February 2, 1558 in Vanse.

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