Bille (noble family)

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Coat of arms, drawn 1890 by Anders Thiset Coatofarms-Bille.jpg
Coat of arms, drawn 1890 by Anders Thiset

The Bille family (also spelled Bilde) is a Danish noble family, part of the ancient Danish nobility. Its members have played a prominent role in Danish politics and society since the mid 13th century and also in Norway during the time Denmark was in a political union with Norway. The family includes the comital branches Bille-Brahe and Bille-Brahe-Selby. There was also a Norwegian branch of the family that died out in 1984. [1] [2]

In a 2021 episode of Who Do You Think You Are? , British actress Dame Judi Dench discovered that she is descended from the Bille family. [3]

Notable members and descendants

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References

  1. Bredo Grandjean, Poul (1915–1930). "Bille". In Blangstrup, Christian (ed.). Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon (in Danish). J.H. Schultz: Copenhagen.
  2. Mollerup, W.; Meidell, Fr. (1893). Bille-ættens Historie (in Danish). Copenhagen: Gyldendal. OL   23281354M via Internet Archive.
  3. "Who Do You Think You Are? Series 18: 2. Dame Judi Dench". BBC iPlayer . 2021.