Thomas Leopold

Swedish Pietist martyr

The window opening to Thomas Leopolds' cell in the corner of the outer court

Thomas Leopold (born 1693 near Kristianstad, Scania, died 1771 in Kungälv) was one of the prophets and martyrs of the Swedish Pietist movement during the 18th century.

Leopold's father Sigfrid had immigrated from Germany, and his mother was the daughter of an immigrant Scotsman.

At 35 years of age, during his studies in Lund, Sweden, Leopold was imprisoned for his radical profession of faith and remained a prisoner for 42 years, 32 years of which were spent in Bohus Fortress, where he died, aged 77.

Sometimes he was visited at the castle by Lutheran priests, who told him he could be freed immediately, if only he denounced his Radical-Pietistic beliefs. He always answered calmly that he had promised Jesus to be faithful until the end.

Leopold's prison cell is still preserved and can be visited at the fortress during summer.