Ahlefeldt was born on Søgård Manor, east of Kliplev in the Duchy of Schleswig as the eldest child and only son of Frederik of Ahlefeldt-Seestermühe (1594-1657) and his wife and relative, Birgitte of Ahlefeldt-Graasten (1600-1632). He had one younger sister, Elisabeth von Rumohr (1625-1653).
At age twenty, Ahlefeldt was sent on an educational tour of Europe, where over a six-year period he studied at universities in Jena, Bologna, Paris and Amsterdam.[2] On this tour he accompanied later danish chamberlain and queen's favourite Jacob Petersen as a valet on his travels.[3]
Career
In 1657, he was appointed to the Land Council as a commissioner. He also served in a diplomatic capacity to the state of Brandenburg on behalf of the Duke of Gottorp. In 1660, he was sent to England in a similar capacity, and there ended a trade and friendship treaty on behalf of Denmark which was signed February 1661.[which?] After his return, he was appointed as stadtholder for Copenhagen, then as a civil judge, and finally as a steward to the governor of Dithmarschen.[citation needed] During the early and mid 1660s he belonged to the influential circle around Hannibal Sehested, Hans Svane, Peter Bülche, Petersen and Theodor Lente, who became increasingly opposed to Frederick III's favorite Christoffer Gabel.[3]
During 1670s and up to the fall of Gabel (1617–1673), Ahlefeldt was the leading minister of the government. In 1673, he was replaced by Peder Schumacher Griffenfeld (1635-1699). Following the arrest of Griffenfeld, Ahlefeldt was made chancellor again. He held that post until 1686.[4][5]
On 28 December 1656, Ahlefeldt married Countess Margarethe Dorothea zu Rantzau (18 March 1642, Breitenburg – 26 August 1665, Itzehoe). The only daughter of Count Christian zu Rantzau (1614–1663), governor of the Duchy of Holstein and one of Denmark's richest men.[6] Ahlefeldt and Margarethe Dorothea had two children:
