Veden Manor
Veden Manor ( or "Veden gård", also spelled "Veen") is a manor in Tistedalen in Halden, Norway, and a former privileged noble estate. History. The manor was a privileged noble estate ("setegård") until the 1821 Nobility Law abolished this privilege in the 19th century, and was notably owned by the Norwegian chancellor Jens Bjelke and his descendants. It once included the main estate and 13 other farms, as well as 11 sawmills. Over time, much of the agricultural land was sold, but the manor's economic importance rested chiefly on its sawmills. The manor and its surroundings have been  painted by several prominent painters. Following a visit by Crown Prince Regent Frederick in 1788, he sent Erik Pauelsen to paint the view from the manor. Other artists who visited the manor and painted motifs from Veden include Jens Peter Møller, Heinrich Grosch, Ferdinand Gjøs, Thomas Fearnley, and Johannes Flintoe. During the Swedish–Norwegian War in 1814, Swedish Crown Prince Carl Johan stayed at the manor. The owner, the widow Ziegler, was forced to have him as a guest. Carl Johan wanted to buy the manor, but found the price too high. In 1851, the manor was sold to foundry  master Johannes Petterson, and some years later, it was sold to a consortium of sawmill and land owners who formed the Sawmill Corporation in 1859, a trust that became the largest sawmill company in Norway. The manor house was then used by various directors of the company. Veden Manor was owned by the Sawmill Corporation and its successor Norske Skog until around 2000.