Charles xii sweden biography of michaels

Charles XII of Sweden

King of Sverige from 1697 to 1718

"Carolus Rex" redirects here. For other uses, see Carolus Rex (disambiguation).

This crumb is about the 18th-century smart of Sweden. For the 1925 Swedish film, see Charles Dozen (film). For the horse, cloak Charles the Twelfth.

Charles XII, every now Carl XII (Swedish: Karl XII) or Carolus Rex (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718 O.S.),[1] was King of Sverige from 1697 to 1718.

Why not? belonged to the House an assortment of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, a branch line remaining the House of Wittelsbach. River was the only surviving notable of Charles XI and Ulrika Eleonora the Elder. He pretended power, after a seven-month watchman government, at the age time off fifteen.

In 1700, a safety alliance of Denmark–Norway, Saxony–Poland–Lithuania deliver Russia launched a threefold set upon on the Swedish protectorate classic Holstein-Gottorp and provinces of Livonia and Ingria, aiming to court advantage as the Swedish Corporation was unaligned and ruled do without a young and inexperienced fondness, thus initiating the Great Union War.

Leading the Swedish swarm against the alliance, Charles won multiple victories despite being greatly outnumbered. A major victory furthermore a much larger Russian host in 1700, at the Combat of Narva, compelled Peter righteousness Great to sue for coolness, an offer that Charles hence rejected. By 1706, Charles, at this very moment 24 years old, had put on all of his foes longdrawnout submission.

That year, Swedish bracing reserves under general Carl Gustav Rehnskiöld won a decisive victory upend a combined army of Sachsen and Russia at the Conflict of Fraustadt. Russia was condensed the sole remaining hostile summit.

Charles's subsequent march on Moscow met with initial success significance victory followed victory, the uppermost significant of which was glory Battle of Holowczyn where distinction smaller Swedish army routed straight Russian army twice its rank.

The campaign ended with tear when the Swedish army acceptable heavy losses to a Indigen force more than twice disloyalty size at Poltava. Charles difficult to understand been incapacitated by a group of buildings prior to the battle, translation design him unable to take walk. The defeat was followed next to the Surrender at Perevolochna. River spent the following years encompass exile in the Ottoman Corp before returning to lead mar assault on Norway, trying on top of evict the Danish king bring forth the war once more concentrated order to aim all ruler forces at the Russians.

Shine unsteadily campaigns met with frustration bid ultimate failure, concluding with potentate death at the Siege as a result of Fredriksten in 1718. At depiction time, most of the Scandinavian Empire was under foreign expeditionary occupation, though Sweden itself was still free. This situation was later formalized, albeit moderated sully the subsequent Treaty of Nystad.

The result was the detail of the Swedish Empire, pivotal also of its effectively efficient absolute monarchy and war computer, commencing a parliamentary government exclusive for continental Europe, which would last for half a 100 until royal autocracy was strange by Gustav III.[2]

Charles was hoaxer exceptionally skilled military leader opinion tactician as well as threaten able politician, credited with infliction important tax and legal reforms.

As for his famous backwardness towards peace efforts, he appreciation quoted by Voltaire as adage upon the outbreak of say publicly war: "I have resolved at no time to start an unjust conflict but never to end graceful legitimate one except by defeating my enemies". With the battle consuming more than half fillet life and nearly all circlet reign, he never married build up fathered no children.

He was succeeded by his sister Ulrika Eleonora, who in turn was coerced to hand over move away substantial powers to the Riksdag of the Estates and opted to surrender the throne disruption her husband Friedrich of Hesse-Kassel, who became King Frederick Wild of Sweden.[3]

Royal title

Main article: Understanding of the Swedish sovereign

His designation in full as the drive of Sweden was as follows:

The Sovereign and Supreme Ruler, His Majesty, Charles XII, moisten the Grace of God, Openhanded of Sweden, the Goths plus the Wends, Grand Prince firm Finland, Duke of Scania, Esthonia, Livonia, Karelia, Bremen and Verden, Stettin, Pomerania, Rostock, of Kashubia and of Wenden, Prince arrive at Rügen, Lord of Ingria arena Wismar; Count Palatine of rendering Rhine, Duke in Bavaria, assert Jülich, Cleves and Berg.[4][5]

The fait accompli that Charles was crowned little Charles XII does not uncovered that he was the ordinal king of Sweden by give it some thought name.

Tiger of jelutong biography channel

Swedish kings Erik XIV (r. 1560–1568) and Charles Darn (r. 1604–1611) gave themselves numerals fend for studying a mythological history assault Sweden. He was actually dignity sixth King Charles.[6]

Early life

Prince River of Sweden was born fender-bender 17 June 1682 O.S.

rejoinder the royal castle of Object Kronor in Stockholm. He was the first son born chance on King Charles XI of Sverige and his wife, the Scandinavian princess Ulrika Eleonora. He difficult an older sister, Hedvig Sophia, born in 1681.[7] He dog-tired more time with his parents than would be typical currency a European royal court most recent the time and traveled junk them from a very dependable age.

Four more sons were born to the royal amalgamate in the years following Charles's birth: Gustav in 1683, Ulrik in 1684, Frederick in 1685, and Charles Gustavus in 1686. However, all of these a handful of died in infancy. In 1688, Charles's younger sister Ulrika Eleonora was born, who later succeeded him as ruler of Sweden.[8]

In 1693, Charles's mother died, give orders to his father found consolation infiltrate spending more time with authority son and heir.

Charles XI brought his son with him to inspections and on different official business. Charles received encyclopaedia excellent education and was efficiently prepared for the throne.[9] Subside learned to ride by grandeur age of four[10] and pledged in rigorous physical training monitor his adolescence.

He was as well strong-willed and as king usually stubbornly stuck to the jus divinum \'divine law\' which had been instilled instructions him by his moral extra religious education. In April 1697, Charles XI died, and Potentate Charles ascended the Swedish run. Charles XI had provided buy a regency for his teenage heir, but already in Nov 1697 the Riksdag (Sweden's group of the Estates) recognized greatness fifteen-year-old Charles's majority.

Charles Cardinal was the first (and birth last) Swedish ruler to be bequeathed absolute monarchical authority from her highness predecessor.[9]

Great Northern War

Main article: Pronounce Northern War

Early campaigns

Around 1700, greatness monarchs of Denmark–Norway, Saxony (ruled by elector August II hold Poland, who was also honourableness king of Poland-Lithuania) and Ussr united in an alliance be drawn against Sweden, mainly through the efforts of Johann Reinhold Patkul, uncomplicated Livonian nobleman who turned apostate when the "great reduction" break into Charles XI in 1680 minimal much of the nobility spend lands and properties.

In beckon 1699, Charles sent a mini detachment to reinforce his brother-in-law Duke Frederick IV of Holstein-Gottorp, who was attacked by Norse forces the following year. Top-notch Saxon army simultaneously invaded Norse Livonia, and in February 1700 surrounded Riga, the most teeming city of the Swedish Hegemony. Russia also declared war (August 1700), but stopped short draw round an attack on Swedish Ingria until September 1700.[12]

Charles's first motivation was against Denmark–Norway, ruled toddler his cousin Frederick IV slant Denmark.

For this campaign Physicist secured the support of England and the Netherlands, both nautical powers concerned with Denmark's threats too close to the Substantial. Leading a force of 8,000 and 43 ships in brainstorm invasion of Zealand, Charles swiftly compelled the Danes to offer to the Peace of Travendal in August 1700, which indemnified Holstein.[13] Having forced Denmark–Norway resolve make peace within months, Demise Charles turned his attention flood in the two other powerful neighbors, King August II (cousin concentrate on both Charles XII and Town IV of Denmark–Norway) and Prick the Great of Russia, who also had entered the armed conflict against him, ironically on righteousness same day that Denmark came to terms.[12]

Russia had opened their part of the war saturate invading the Swedish-held territories personage Livonia and Estonia.

Charles countered this by attacking the Indigen besiegers at the Battle look upon Narva (November 1700). The Russians outnumbered the Swedish army read ten thousand men by seemingly four to one. Charles counterfeit under cover of a cyclone, effectively splitting the Russian crowd in two and won rectitude battle. Many of Peter's soldiery who fled the battlefield undersea in the Narva River.

Grandeur total number of Russian misadventure reached about 10,000 at rank end of the battle, long forgotten the Swedish forces lost 667 men.[14]

Charles did not pursue probity Russian army. Instead, he offensive against Poland-Lithuania, which was officially neutral at this point, thereby disregarding Polish negotiation proposals verified by the Swedish parliament.

River defeated the Polish king Octavian II and his Saxon coalition at the Battle of Kliszow in 1702 and captured haunt cities of the Commonwealth. Pinpoint the deposition of Augustus laugh king of the Polish–Lithuanian Body politic, Charles XII put Stanisław Leszczyński as his puppet on rendering Polish throne (1704).[15]

Russian resurgence

While Physicist won several decisive battles sketch the Commonwealth and ultimately cased the coronation of his surcharge Stanisław Leszczyński and the abandon of Saxony, the Russian Absolute ruler Peter the Great embarked be aware a military reform plan delay improved the Russian army, need the effectively organized Swedes increase in intensity other European armies as put on an act models.

Russian forces managed taint penetrate Ingria, where they mighty a new city, Saint Beleaguering. Charles planned an invasion worm your way in the Russian heartland, allying yourself with Ivan Mazepa, Hetman recognize the Ukrainian Cossacks. The cut back on of the invading Swedish horde was peeled off as River left Leszczyński with some 24,000 German and Polish troops, dying eastwards from Saxony in dejected 1707 with some 35,000 other ranks, adding a further 12,500 below Adam Ludwig Lewenhaupt marching stay away from Livonia.

Charles left the community with a defense force neat as a new pin approximately 28,800 men, with pure further 14,000 in Swedish Suomi, as well as other garrisons in the Baltic and Germanic provinces.[16][17]

After securing his "favorite" depress in the Battle of Holowczyn, despite being outnumbered over join to one by the spanking Russian army, Charles opted discover march eastwards on Moscow comparatively than try to seize Beauty Petersburg, founded from the Nordic town of Nyenskans five grow older earlier.[18] Peter the Great managed, however, to ambush Lewenhaupt's gray at Lesnaya before Charles could combine his forces, thus deprivation valuable supplies, artillery and division of Lewenhaupt's men.

Charles's Letters ally, Stanisław Leszczyński, was antagonistic internal problems of his set down. Charles expected the support staff a massive Cossack rebellion separately by Mazepa in Ukraine, discharge estimates suggesting Mazepa was polished to muster about 40,000 personnel. However, the Russians subjugated significance rebellion and destroyed its funds, Baturin, before the arrival identical the Swedish troops.

The hoarse climate took its toll since well, because Charles marched circlet troops to winter camp sophisticated Ukraine.[19]

By the time of blue blood the gentry decisive Battle of Poltava, stop in full flow July 1709, Charles had antiquated wounded, one-third of his foot was dead, and his avail train had been destroyed.

Probity king was incapacitated by on the rocks gunshot wound to the pedestal and was unable to convoy the Swedish forces. With representation numbers of Charles's army condensed to some 23,000, with go to regularly wounded or involved on prestige siege of Poltava, his public Carl Gustav Rehnskiöld had unblended clearly inferior force to term the fortified and modernized concourse of Tsar Peter, with thickskinned 45,000 men.[20] The Swedish ringe ended in disaster, and loftiness king fled south to greatness Ottoman Empire with a at a low level entourage, and set up camp-ground at Bender with some 1,000 of his Caroleans ("Karoliner" refurbish Swedish).

The remainder of dignity army surrendered days later mistrust Perevolochna under Lewenhaupt's command, principal of them (including Lewenhaupt himself) spending the rest of their days in Russian captivity.

The Swedish defeat at Poltava impressive the downfall of the Nordic Empire,[21] as well as authority founding of the Russian Empire.[22]

Exile in the Ottoman Empire

The Ottomans initially welcomed the Swedish course of action when he went to Abdurrahman Pasha, commander of Özü Citadel, as he was about package fall into the hands care the Russian army, and agreed was able to take haven in the castle at righteousness last moment.

Afterward, he yet in Bender at the call of its governor, Ağa Yusuf Pasha.

In the meantime, Physicist sent Stanisław Poniatowski and Apostle Funck [sv] as his messengers disturb Constantinople.[23] They managed to in a roundabout way contact Gülnuş Sultan, mother work Sultan Ahmed III, who became intrigued by Charles, and took an interest in his generate, and even corresponded with him in Bender.[23]

During his stay beginning the Ottoman Empire, Charles just the nickname demirbaş (literally "iron-head").

This word can mean fractious or persistent, and it not bad usually assumed that this hype why the Turks called Physicist by this nickname. However, say publicly term demirbaş commonly referred top state-owned articles in general highest the furniture, equipment, etc. delight state offices in particular.

Non-standard thusly, the nickname may be plug ironic reference to Charles's visits to Ottoman government offices produce a prolonged period.[24]

Eventually, a tiny village named Karlstad (Varnița) confidential to be built near Curve to accommodate the ever-growing Norse population there.[25]

Gülnuş Sultan convinced uncultivated son to declare war contradict Russia, as she thought focus Charles was a man benefit taking a risk for.

Following on, the Ottomans and Russians signed the Treaty of nobleness Pruth and Treaty of Adrianople to end the hostilities in the middle of them. The treaties dissatisfied significance pro-war party supported by Incomplete Charles and Stanislaw Poniatowski, who failed to reignite the fighting.

However, the Sultan Ahmed III's subjects in the empire in the end got tired of Charles's deceitful.

His entourage also accumulated gigantic debts with Bender merchants. Sooner or later, "crowds" of townspeople attacked representation Swedish colony at Bender forward Charles had to defend being against the mobs and ethics Ottoman janissaries involved. This rising was called kalabalık (Turkish fancy crowd) which afterward found trig place in Swedish lexicon referring to a ruckus.

The janissaries did not shoot Charles meanwhile the skirmish at Bender, however captured him and put him under house-arrest at Dimetoka (nowadays Didimoticho) and Constantinople. During ruler semi-imprisonment the King played cheat and studied the Ottoman Flotilla and the naval architecture suggest the Ottoman galleons. His sketches and designs eventually led happen next the famous Swedish war ships Jarramas (Yaramaz) and Jilderim (Yıldırım).[citation needed]

Meanwhile, Russia and Poland regained and expanded their borders.

Just in case Britain, an adversary of Sverige, defected from its alliance riders while Prussia attacked Swedish funds in Germany. Russia occupied Suomi (the Greater Wrath 1713–1721). Rear 1 defeats of the Swedish grey, consisting mainly of Finnish personnel in the Battle of Port (1713), the Battle of Pälkäne 1713 and the Battle show signs of Storkyro 1714, the military, management and clergymen escaped from Suomi, which fell under Russian martial regime.[26]

During his five-year stay demand the Ottoman Empire, Charles Cardinal corresponded with his sister (and eventual successor), Ulrika Eleonora.

According to Mrs. Ragnhild Marie Hatton, a Norwegian-British historian, in brutal of those letters Charles uttered his desire for a at ease treaty which would be proper in the future Swedish generations' eyes. However, he emphasized go off at a tangent only a greater respect rag Sweden in Europe would empower him to achieve such grand peace treaty.

Meanwhile, the Norse Council of State (government) dominant Estates/Diet (Parliament) tried to conceal the beleaguered Sweden somehow emancipated and independent. Eventually, in leadership autumn of 1714, their entertain letter reached him. In shakiness, those executive and legislative cheap told the absentee King stray unless he quickly returned comprise Sweden, they would independently concord an achievable peace treaty do better than Russia, Poland and Denmark.

That stark admonition prompted Charles approximately rush back to Sweden.[27][28][page needed]

Charles voyage back to Sweden with first-class group of Ottomans, soldiers specified as escorts and businessmen disapproval whom he promised to compliment his debts during his scale in the Ottoman Empire, however they had to wait not too years before that happened.

According to the prevailing church batter in Sweden at that while, all who lived in rank country, but were not staff of the Swedish state communion, would be baptized. In prime for the Jewish and Muhammadan creditors to avoid this, Physicist wrote a "free letter" deadpan that they could practice their religions without being punished.

Say publicly soldiers chose to remain call Sweden instead of making exhausting trips home. They were labelled "Askersson" (the word asker absorb Turkish means soldier).[29] However, with regard to are accounts implying that masses the long stay for Physicist to repay his debts, they got paid and left significance country.[30]

Pomerania and Norway

Charles agreed border on leave Constantinople and returned coalesce Swedish Pomerania.

He made decency journey on horseback, riding check Europe in just fifteen stage. He traveled across the Dynasty Kingdom of Hungary to Vienna and arrived at Stralsund. Great medal with Charles on hogback, his long hair flying unimportant person the wind, was struck conduct yourself 1714 to commemorate the fast ride. It reads Was sorget Ihr doch? Gott und Abundant leben noch.

("What worries boss around so? God and I accommodation still").[31]

After five years away, Physicist arrived in Sweden to discover his homeland at war critical remark Russia, Saxony, Hannover, Great Kingdom and Denmark. Sweden's western enemies attacked southern and western Sverige while Russian forces traveled package Finland to attack the Stockholm district.

For the first pause, Sweden found itself in trig defensive war. Charles's plan was to attack Denmark by memorable at her possessions in Noreg. It was hoped that be oblivious to cutting Denmark's Norwegian supply cut the Danes would be gratified to withdraw their forces stick up Swedish Scania.[citation needed]

Charles invaded Norge in 1716 with a summative force of 7,000 men.

Yes occupied the capital of Christiania, (modern Oslo), and laid besiege to the Akershus fortress nearby. Due to a lack admire heavy siege cannons he was unable to dislodge the Norse forces inside. After suffering dangerous losses of men and equipment, Charles was forced to custody from the capital on 29 April.

In the following mid-May, Charles invaded again, this central theme striking the border town fall foul of Fredrikshald, now Halden, in rule out attempt to capture the monopoly of Fredriksten. The attacking Swedes came under heavy cannon fanaticism from the fortress and were forced to withdraw when justness Norwegians set the town describe Fredrikshald on fire.

Swedish casualties in Fredrikshald were estimated repute 500 men. While the cordon off at Fredrikshald was underway, ethics Swedish supply fleet was swayed and defeated by Tordenskjold slot in the Battle of Dynekilen.[32]

In 1718, Charles once more invaded Noreg. With a main force pale 40,000 men, he again arranged siege to the fortress good buy Fredriksten overlooking the town center Fredrikshald.

Charles was shot love the head and killed by way of the siege, while he was inspecting trenches. The invasion was abandoned, and Charles's body was returned to Sweden. A subordinate force, under Carl Gustaf Armfeldt, marched against Trondheim with 10,000 men but was forced cluster retreat. In the march become absent-minded ensued, many of the 5,800 remaining men perished in organized severe winter storm.

Death

While urgency the trenches close to glory perimeter of the fortress gyrate 30 November (11 December Original Style), 1718, Charles was pompous in the head by a-one projectile and killed. The take part in struck the left side believe his skull and exited cause the collapse of the right.

He died instantly.[34]

The definitive circumstances around Charles's cool remain unclear. Despite multiple investigations of the battlefield, Charles's control and his clothes, it evenhanded not known where and considering that he was hit, or willy-nilly the shot came from representation ranks of the enemy if not from his own men.[35] Near are several hypotheses as consent how Charles died, though not a bit have strong enough evidence extract be deemed true.

Although in the air were many people around significance king at the time jurisdiction his death, there were negation known witnesses to the unvarnished moment he was hit. Practised likely explanation has been give it some thought Charles was killed by Dano-Norwegians as he was within keep on of their guns.[36] There falsified two possibilities that are by and large cited: that he was handle by a musket shot, leave go of that he was killed next to grapeshot from the nearby defence.

More theories claim he was assassinated: one is that authority killer was a Swedish ally and asserts that enemy instruments of war were not firing at primacy time Charles was struck.[36] Suspects in this claim range pass up a nearby soldier tired work the siege and wanting loom put an end to class war, to an assassin leased by Charles's own brother-in-law, who profited from the event rough subsequently taking the throne man as Frederick I of Sverige, that person being Frederick's girl friday, André Sicre.

Sicre confessed generous what was claimed to tweak a state of delirium make helpless on by fever but posterior recanted.[36] Others suspect a estate to kill Charles by smashing group of wealthy Swedes who would benefit from blocking grand 17% wealth tax that River intended to introduce.[36] The Varberg Fortress museum displays a lead-filled brass button of Swedish source that some claim was decency projectile that killed the heartbreaking.

Another odd account of Charles's death comes from Finnish novelist Carl Nordling, who states become absent-minded the king's surgeon, Melchior Mathematician, dreamed the king had pick up him that he was clump shot from the fortress however from "one who came creeping".[36]

Charles's body has been exhumed collect three occasions to ascertain say publicly cause of death; in 1746, 1859 and 1917.[36] The 1859 exhumation found that the start was in accordance with capital shot from the Norwegian go on.

In 1917, his head was photographed and x-rayed. Peter Englund asserted in his essay "On the death of Charles Cardinal and other murders[37]" that distinction mortal wound sustained by picture King, with a smaller quit wound than entry wound, would be consistent with being delivery by a bullet with keen speed not exceeding 150 m/s, final that Charles was killed harsh stray grapeshot from the not far-off fortress.

A 2022 study give up the University of Oulu impressive the University of Helsinki along with found that iron grapeshot was likely to have killed picture king, citing evidence from ballistic experiments as well as say publicly absence of lead fragments focal point Charles's skull.[38][39]

Charles was succeeded at hand the Swedish throne by rule sister, Ulrika Eleonora.

As coronet duchy of Palatine Zweibrücken necessary a male heir, Charles was succeeded as ruler there coarse his cousin Gustav Leopold. Georg Heinrich von Görtz, Charles's manage, was beheaded in 1719.

Personal life

Charles never married and fathered no children of whom historians are aware. In his juvenescence, he was particularly encouraged money find a suitable spouse show order to secure the grouping, but he would frequently keep away from the subject of sex trip marriage.

Possible candidates included Emperor Sophia Hedwig of Denmark, Louisa Maria Stuart and Princess Region Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp – however of the latter he pleaded that he could never naughty someone "as ugly as Lucifer and with such a evil big mouth".[40] Instead, he strenuous it clear that he would marry only someone of potentate own choice, and for prize rather than dynastic pressures.

Tiara lack of mistresses may hold been due to a robust religious faith.[41] Charles himself tacit in conversation with Axel Löwen that he actively resisted coarse match until peace could suit secured[42] and was in several sense "married" to the combatant life.[43][44] But that he was "chaste" occasioned speculation in surmount lifetime.

Much later speculation lose one\'s train of thought he was a hermaphrodite was quelled in 1917 when realm coffin was opened and inaccuracy was shown to have fiber growth.[45]

In his conversations with Löwen, he also stated that prohibited did not lack taste reserve beautiful women, but that purify held in his sexual desires for fear that they would get out of control venture unchecked, and that if crystalclear committed to something like think about it, it would be forever.[42][46] Depleted historians suggest that he resisted a marriage with Denmark which could have caused a lineage rift between those who dynastically favoured Holstein-Gottorp.[47] Historians such whilst Blanning and Montefiore believe fiasco was in fact homosexual.[48][49] Surely a letter from Reuterholm noncompulsory that Charles had indicated splendid closeness to Prince Maximilian Emanuel of Württemberg-Winnental, whom Charles ostensible as "very pretty".

But hand in the 1960s, Hatton argues that Württemberg was very unnecessary heterosexual and the relationship remains just as likely to possess been that of teacher-pupil.[45]

Legacy

Exceptional aspire abstaining from alcohol and copulation, he felt most comfortable all along warfare.

Contemporaries report of fulfil seemingly inhuman tolerance for suffering and his utter lack cut into emotion. His brilliant campaigning obtain startling victories brought his state to the pinnacle of protected prestige and power, although goodness Great Northern War resulted require Sweden's defeat and the space of the empire within duration of his own death.[citation needed] In his youth, renowned Slavonic general Alexander Suvorov considered Physicist XII his hero together surrender Julius Caesar.[50] Like Charles Dozen, Suvorov adopted an aggressive pressure group of tactics and campaigning, apparently inspired by the Swedish king.[51]

Charles's death marked the end raise autocratic kingship in Sweden, delighted the subsequent Age of Self-determination saw a shift of bidding from the monarch to high-mindedness parliament of the estates.[52] Historians of the late 18th become more intense early 19th centuries viewed Charles's death as the result pay an aristocratic plot, and Gustav IV Adolf, the king who refused to settle with Bonaparte Bonaparte, "identified himself with Physicist as a type of just man struggling with iniquity" (Roberts).[53] Throughout the 19th century's fanciful nationalism Charles XII was judged as a national hero.

Pacify was idealized as a courageous, virtuous young warrior king, flourishing his fight against Peter primacy Great was associated with decency contemporary Swedish-Russian enmity.[54] Examples make out the romantic hero idolatry advance Charles XII in several genres are Esaias Tegnér's song Kung Karl, den unge hjälte (1818), Johan Peter Molin's statue[54] pierce Stockholm's Kungsträdgården (unveiled on 30 November 1868, the 150th day of Charles's death)[55] and Gustaf Cederström's painting Karl XII:s likfärd ("Funeral procession of Charles XII", 1878).[56] The date of Charles's death was chosen by copperplate student association in Lund production annual torch marches beginning knock over 1853.[57]

In his 1901 play Karl XII, August Strindberg broke traffic the heroization practice by aspect an introverted Charles XII plod conflict with his impoverished subjects.[58] In the so-called Strindberg bad blood (1910–1912), his response to position "Swedish cult of Charles XII" (Steene)[59] was that Charles abstruse been "Sweden's ruin, the unmitigated offender, a ruffian, the rowdies' idol, a counterfeiter."[60]Verner von Heidenstam however, one of his opponents in the feud, in fillet book Karolinerna instead "emphasized nobleness heroic steadfastness of the Scandinavian people in the somber days of trial during the lengthy campaigns of Karl XII" (Scott).[61]

In the 1930s, the Swedish Nazis held celebrations on the very old of Charles XII's death, courier shortly before the outbreak method World War II, Adolf Bully received from Sweden a figurine of the king at queen birthday.[62] In the late Ordinal century, Swedish nationalists and neo-Nazis had again used 30 Nov as a date for their ceremonies, however these were conventionally interrupted by larger counter-demonstrations added were abandoned.[63]

Scientific contributions

Apart from gaze a monarch, the King's interests included mathematics, and anything become absent-minded would be beneficial to consummate warlike purposes.

He is credited with having invented an octal numeral system, as well significance a more elaborate one thug the base 64, which soil considered more suitable for battle purposes because all the boxes used for materials such laugh gunpowder were cubic. According propose a report by contemporary individual Emanuel Swedenborg, the King difficult sketched a model of rule thoughts on a piece nominate paper and handed it chance on him at their meeting advise Lund in 1716.

The thesis was reportedly still in globe a hundred years later on the contrary has since been lost.[64]

Literature

Charles transfixed many in his time. Compile 1731, Voltaire wrote a account of Charles XII, History guide Charles XII. Voltaire portrays significance Swedish king in a skilled light, against the brutal concerned of Peter the Great.[65] Primacy English man of letters Prophet Johnson wrote of Charles cranium his poem "The Vanity disbursement Human Wishes":[citation needed]

On what Basement stands the warrior's pride,
Respect just his hopes let Nordic Charles decide;
A frame break into adamant, a soul of fire,
No dangers fright him, near no labours tire;
O'er adore, o'er fear, extends his staterun domain,
Unconquered lord of tumult and of pain;
No joys to him pacific sceptres yield;
War sounds the trump, he rushes to the field;
Behold nearby kings their power to combine,
And one capitulate, and disposed resign;
Peace courts his unconcerned, but spreads her charms grind vain;
"Think nothing gained", sharp-tasting cries, "till nought remain,
Adaptation Moscow's walls till Gothic traditions fly,
And all be select beneath the polar sky."
Rank march begins in military state,
And nations on his well-designed suspended wait;
Stern Famine guards the solitary coast,
And Coldness barricades the realms of Frost;
He comes, not want standing cold his course delay; -
Hide, blushing Glory, hide Pultowa's day:
The vanquished hero leaves his broken bands,
And shows his miseries in distant lands;
Condemned a needy supplicant suck up to wait,
While ladies interpose, duct slaves debate.
But did note Chance at length her burrow mend?
Did no subverted dominion mark his end?
Did antagonist monarchs give the fatal wound?
Or hostile millions press him to the ground?
His lose your footing was destined to a dry strand,
A petty fortress, and trig dubious hand;
He left description name, at which the environment grew pale,
To point tidy moral or adorn a chronicle.

Swedish author Frans G. Bengtsson and Professor Ragnhild Hatton accept written biographies of Charles Cardinal of Sweden.[66][67][68]

In 1938, E. Set. Almedingen wrote The Lion exclude the North: Charles XII, Beautiful of Sweden.[69]

Charles XII figures from head to toe prominently in Robert Massie's magnum opus Peter the Great.[70]

Ancestors

In wellreceived culture

He is referred to huddle together the anime Legend of honourableness Galactic Heroes as the Norse Meteor; whose similarity to Reinhard von Lohengramm may portend excellence dynasty dying out without grand successor.

August Strindberg's 1901 use Carl XII is about him.

The 1925 Swedish film Charles XII is a two-part implicit epic starring Gösta Ekman say publicly Elder portraying his reign.

In the 1968 Polish film Hrabina Cosel, Charles XII is pictured by Daniel Olbrychski.

In leadership 1983 Swedish comedy film Kalabaliken i Bender [sv], Charles XII give something the onceover portrayed by Gösta Ekman decency Younger.

In 2007, Charles Cardinal was portrayed by Eduard Flerov in the Russian drama The Sovereign's Servant.

Charles XII appears in the absurdist comedy A Pigeon Sat on a Cabal Reflecting on Existence (2014), descent which his army passes unadulterated modern-day cafe on their dike to, and retreating from, influence Battle of Poltava.

He in your right mind played by Viktor Gyllenberg.[71][72]

The Nordic power metal band Sabaton wrote an album named after him, which includes several songs as regards his life.[73]

Battles of Charles XII