Frederick IV and Augustus II were defeated by Sweden, under Charles XII, and forced out of the alliance in 1700 and 1706 respectively, but rejoined it in 1709 after the defeat of Charles XII at the Battle of Poltava. Charles XII, also Carl (Swedish: Karl XII; 17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718 O.S. Charles XII, (born June 17, 1682, Stockholm—died Nov. 30, 1718, Fredrikshald, Nor. Since his childhood, Charles was interested in military matters. Charles XII of Sweden was the king of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. He was, however, exceptionally strong willed and gave repeated proof of his obstinate adherence to those standards he accepted from the religious and moral teaching of his family and his governors. Upon his exit from the battlefield, the Swedish army lost its way in front of the Russian army, which was again, double the size of the Swedish army. However, Sweden was ready for such circumstances, and its armies were immediately mobilized to tackle the invaders. He belonged to the House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, a branch line of the House of Wittelsbach. He was the second-born child of his parents and the eldest son in the family, making him the natural heir to the throne. Charles XII Wittelsbach’s death ended the era of Swedish Hegemony in northern Europe. A character based on Charles XII plays a major role in The Age of Unreason, a series of four alternate history novels written by American science fiction and fantasy author Gregory Keyes. He had also proved that irrespective of the number of men in the army, if Charles commanded the forces, they would turn invincible. Thus, he never married or fathered any children. Following this, he decided to focus solely on Russia, which was the biggest worry for Sweden. Carl XII (1682-1718), in Swedish Karl XII and in English alternately referred to as Charles, was King of Sweden 1697-1718.. For images of his Stockholm statue see subcategory Karl XII:s staty. Charles XII and the Collapse of the Swedish Empire, 1682-1719. A few days prior to the commencement of the battle, Charles had faced an injury to his leg, which had not healed. Charles XI had stipulated a regency, but the regents proved anxious to obtain the new king’s concurrence in all decisions, and the Riksdag called in November 1697 declared him of age. He initiated several tax and legal reforms that allowed the Swedes to become rich and prosperous. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Tories (British political party)-Wikipedia. Charles XII’s body, a visible hole obtained under Fredrikshald. After negotiations for Charles’s marriage to a Danish cousin, the daughter of Christian V, were begun on Denmark’s initiative, Charles’s advisers held back until the outcome of Danish negotiations with other powers was known. The campaign was unsuccessful. Charles was the only surviving son of Charles XI and Ulrika Eleonora the Elder. Thereafter, the Russians interfered successfully with the Swedes’ communications, and by the summer of 1709 Charles XII had no choice between accepting battle with the Russians or withdrawing once more into Poland. Charles XII grew up in a happy environment. His sister Ulrika Eleonora succeeded Charles. This was known as the Great Northern War. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. In 1700, a triple alliance of Denmark-Norway, Saxony-Poland-Lithuania, and Russia launched a threefold attack on the Swedish Empire. Charles’s responsibility in planning and executing armed operations constantly increased, so that from 1702 he became the superior of most of his officers. Charles XII was the highest ranking Swedish commander present. After his mother’s death, Prince Charles became more serious about the matters related to his kingdom and began accompanying his father on his political travels and at official events. He stayed there for a year and prepared for one more assault on Norway in 1718. Charles XII had been carefully prepared for his task by excellent tutors and governors. Denmark, Poland, and Russia had been Sweden’s enemies since many centuries, and when they saw that a young and inexperienced king was on the Swedish throne, they began chalking out a plan to invade Sweden. Born on June 17, 1682, at Tre Kroner Castle or Three Crown Castle in Stockholm, Sweden. In adolescence a personal program for toughening physique—in particular, his intrepid horsemanship and his predilection for risks—worried the old and staid among the courtiers. While the Swedes were campaigning in Germany and Poland after 1706 Peter ordered his forces into Ingaria and found a new port that was to become the City of St Petersburg. Within the first 6 weeks, the attack on Holstein by Denmark was countered, and Charles emerged victorious. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The regency ruled the nation for 7 months, and when they thought that Charles was ready to rule solely, they crowned him the king. Brandenburg and Russia, together with such older states as Denmark and Poland, were natural enemies of Sweden. ), was the King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. Unaware that the neighboring enemies were constantly keeping an eye on him, he enjoyed life to the fullest. Charles XII also Carl of Sweden, Swedish: Karl XII, Latinized to Carolus Rex, Turkish: Demirbaş Şarl (which means Charles the Habitué or Charles the Fixture) (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718) was the King of the Swedish Empire from 1697 to 1718. Charles XII of Sweden was born on June 17, 1682, in Tre Kronor, Sweden, to Charles XI of Sweden and Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark. He was 36 years old at the time of his death. ), Latinized to Carolus Rex, was the King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. In a battle in Norway’s Fredriksten, he was shot in his head. The battle finally took place in July 1709 in Poltava. As a child, he was a keen observer of the political and military matters of his kingdom, while preparing to rule the kingdom someday. Editor’s note: The following is extracted from The Book of Bravery, by Henry Wysham Lanier (published 1920). England and the Netherlands supported him and his armies won over the Danes during a sea battle.He also beat Peter I Russian Tsar. Charles had proved that despite his age, he was an excellent military commander. The s… The king of Denmark attacked Holstein, Poland attacked Riga, and Russia attacked Narva. However, by then, Norway had gathered a strong support from the neighboring countries and Charles’s chances of winning were bleak. In 1708, Charles led his army to face the Russians and achieved many back-to-back victories. Charles XII, also Carl, Latinised to Carolus Rex, was the King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. Charles XII also Carl of Sweden, Swedish: Karl XII, Latinized to Carolus Rex, Turkish: Demirbaş Şarl, also known as Charles the Habitué (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718) was the King of the Swedish Empire from 1697 to 1718. Charles's diplomacy is considered in John Joseph Murray, George I, the Baltic and the Whig Split of 1717: A Study in Diplomacy and Propaganda (1969). Charles XI was succeeded by his only son Charles XII, who made use of the well-trained army in battles throughout Europe. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/charles-xii-of-sweden-32198.php, Top NBA Players With No Championship Rings, The Top 25 Wrestling Announcers Of All Time, Famous Role Models You Would Like To Meet. However, instead of retreating, Charles wanted to face the Russians in a decisive battle. 1969). Emeritus Professor of International History, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, 1968–80. King of Sweden; Reign: 5 April 1697 – 29 November 1718 O.S. In Sweden, the view of Charles XII is dominated by two schools of thinking. This spelled the end of Sweden’s campaigns against their enemies. One of the most important of them was the victory at the Battle of Holowczyn. Charles XII, also Carl (Karl XII; 17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718 O.S. While Charles was bogged down in the vast Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth the Russian Tsar Peter the Great reformed the Russian military and ironically modeled his army on the Swedish forces. Charles XII of Sweden. For the remaining fragment of Gothenburg's city walls, see ... For the 1925 Swedish film, see Charles XII (film). 0 Reviews . Robert Nisbet Bain. Culture / History / Nationalism. Charles XII, aka Carolus Rex -- boy, the difference growing up and sobering up can make. A number of albums started by Ultima Thule, later including other artists were named "Carolus Rex". Updates? Charles XII, sometimes Carl (Swedish: Karl XII) or Latinized to Carolus Rex (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718 O.S. His first necessity in 1706, however, was to secure Sweden’s position in relation to Russia, which, under Peter I the Great, had from 1703 onward made good use of Charles XII’s campaigns in Poland to train its army and undertake a piecemeal conquest of the Swedish east Baltic provinces. He passed away on the battlefield, fighting Norwegian forces, on November 30, 1718. Charles was outraged at what he saw as a sur… Charles XII spent his childhood amidst luxury. They won the Battle of Hołowczyn in July 1708, but Russian scorched-earth tactics forced Charles to abandon his route to Moscow and turn instead into the Ukraine. One day in November, 1697, a review was being held of the royal troops at Stockholm, Sweden. He took part in the Nordic War (1700-1721), in which his enemies were Denmark, Poland and Russia. The speedy success hoped for by the three allied powers did not materialize, and rumours of rebellion by the Swedish nobility against the absolutist monarchy, in case of war, proved false. Select from premium Charles Xii Of Sweden of the highest quality. With Gösta Ekman, Bengt Djurberg, Augusta Lindberg, Mona Mårtenson. Photograph from 1917. By the time this program had been brought to success and Stanisław Leszczyński elected king of Poland—Augustus being forced to accept the settlement by a Swedish invasion of Saxony in September 1706—Charles XII had matured both as a general and as a statesman. Charles XII of Sweden "Carolus Rex" redirects here. Sweden lost the battle, but Charles and a few of his soldiers managed to flee to Ottoman Turkey. To illustrate this, Bain quotes a letter to Charles’ future tutor in which the Queen gives very Lutheran instructions, The royal autocracy in Sweden was, however, reinstated by King Gustav III of Sweden. 193 relations. In May 2012 the Swedish power metal band Sabaton released an album named “Carolus Rex”. They faced a harsh winter that depleted his army to a great extent. However, Charles XII of Sweden was willing to aid the English Tories by sending troops to put the Pretender on the throne, in conjunction with an English rising. He launched a disastrous invasion of Russia (1707–09), resulting in the complete collapse of the Swedish armies and the loss of Sweden’s status as a great power. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The monarchs of all the three neighboring nations formed an alliance in 1700 and planned to launch a major attack on Sweden. He is known for being a warrior King, leading the Swedish Empire to victory in defensive wars in the Great Northern War in the 1700s. Prince Charles was the second child and eldest son of Charles XI of Sweden and Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark. Charles XII: A Swedish Conqueror. 41 mins read. Charles XII (Swedish: Karl XII, Latinized to Carolus Rex "King Charles", Turkish Demirbaş Şarl "Charles the Habitué") (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718), was King of Sweden from 1697 until his death. A dated but helpful work is R. Nisbet Bain, Charles XII and the Collapse of the Swedish Empire (1895; repr. February 15, 2020 February 14, 2020. She stresses the Great Northern War, relating Charles XII's military campaigns in Denmark, Russia, Poland-Lithuania, Saxony, and Norway. Also from 1702 he began to take a greater part in political decisions, his senior advisers having died or retired through ill health. The early campaigns—the descent on Zealand (August 1700), which forced Denmark out of the war; the Battle of Narva (November 1700), which drove the Russians away from the Swedish trans-Baltic provinces; and the crossing of the Western Dvina River (1701), which scattered the troops of Augustus II (elector of Saxony and king of Poland)—were all planned and directed by the officers whom Charles had inherited from his father; but the King, while developing his military skill, gave valuable help in fostering morale by his courage, his religiously coloured optimism, and his faith in the cause of Sweden as the victim of a concerted attack. Charles thus used his tactical brain and moved toward Ukraine to secure the resources required to sustain his huge army. He was hailed by the historians as a great military commander and an able politician. His early childhood was happy and secure, but the close family circle was broken by his mother’s death in 1693. G.P. Most significant of these personal decisions was that to fight Augustus II in Poland and to transform Poland from a divided country, where Augustus had both partisans and opponents, into an ally and a base for the final campaign against Russia. His mother passed away in 1693, and this was a huge shock for young Charles. He then handled the invasion of Riga, but upon knowing about the Russian attack on Narva, he quickly moved there. Charles XII (Swedish: Karl XII) was the king of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. He was the last absolute ruler, the last warrior – king, who continued the policy of … He was the second child and the first son of Charles XI of Sweden and Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark. He, however, ended up losing his life while fighting in Norway in 1718. A lively discussion of Charles's invasion of Russia is in Leonard Cooper, Many Roads to Moscow: Three Historic Invasions(1968). These negotiations led in fact to a coalition between Denmark, Saxony, and Russia that, by attacking Sweden in the spring of 1700, began the Great Northern War. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. He was 15 years old when he took charge after a 7-month rule by a caretaker government. Sweden - Sweden - The reign of Charles XII: Charles XII acceded to the throne at age 15 at a time when, in the hinterland of the Baltic coast, dominated by the Swedes, new states were being formed. Prince Charles was the second child and eldest (and only surviving) son of Charles XI of Sweden and Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark. Hence, Charles was physically unfit to command his army in Poltava. In 1709, Charles’s army was in Ukraine, on its way to Moscow. Omissions? Hence, Charles XII inherited the throne of Sweden. Following this, Charles returned to Sweden, only to find it in a poor state after years of war and most of the empire under foreign control. He was the second-born child of his parents and the eldest son in the family, making him the natural heir to the throne. Initially, Charles XII’s reign was peaceful. IMHO, Poltava was his defeat because that battle did break the back of his army and was a turning point of the Great Northern War. Charles XII of Sweden’s life was mostly consumed by wars. However, she was eventually coerced to surrender the throne to her husband, King Frederick I of Sweden. Author of. His father, Charles XI, had been the ruler of Sweden for 4 decades and was known as an excellent king. Charles XII, sometimes Carl XII (Swedish: Karl XII) or Carolus Rex (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718 O.S. ), Latinized to Carolus Rex, was the King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. He would be the first and only Swedish King born into the purple, so to say. His father passed away in 1697. After his father’s death in April 1697, Charles XII had to take on the burden of absolute kingship—he was the first and only Swedish king born to absolutism—when he was barely 15 years old. The Russian army had destroyed the resources that could have helped the Swedes on their way to attack Russia. Other than being an able war commander, Charles was also known as an exceptional politician and ruler. In 1707, in an attempt to deliver a final blow to Russia, Charles gathered the largest army possible and marched toward Moscow. Charles was not unmindful of Sweden’s role in central and western Europe; his support of the Silesian Protestants against the Catholic Habsburg emperor was firmly based on the Swedish guarantee of the Peace of Westphalia, and he continued that policy of the “balancing role” between the great coalitions of the west to which Swedish rulers and statesmen since 1660 had aspired in the hope of achieving prestige and territory by armed mediation in suitable circumstances. He belonged to the House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, a branch line of the House of Wittelsbach. A regency was formed according to the wishes of King Charles XI, but they still required the young king’s opinion on every matter. As he was the heir to the throne, he was also groomed to rule since his early years. In 1700, he faced his first big challenge as a king when Sweden was attacked by three neighborhood kingdoms, who wished to take advantage of a weakened country and a young and inexperienced king. Charles spent the next few years in Turkey, trying to gather forces to attack Russia. Charles XII, sometimes Carl (Swedish: Karl XII) or Latinized to Carolus Rex, was the King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. Charles XII of Sweden was born on June 17, 1682, in Tre Kronor, Sweden, to Charles XI of Sweden and Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark. The Russian army was much larger in comparison to the Swedish army. Charles XII, (born June 17, 1682, Stockholm—died Nov. 30, 1718, Fredrikshald, Nor. Al Stewart's song "The Coldest Winter in Memory" deals primarily with Charles's military campaign and defeat by Peter the Great. ), king of Sweden (1697–1718), an absolute monarch who defended his country for 18 years during the Great Northern War and promoted significant domestic reforms. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Charles XII of Sweden (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718) was King of Sweden from 5 April 1697 to 30 November 1718, succeeding Charles XI of Sweden and preceding Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden.King Charles was known as an exceptionally skilled military leader and tactician and an able politician, proving himself during the Great Northern War against the Russian Empire. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-XII, Pierre Marteau - Biography of Charles XII, The History Learning Site - Biography of Charles XII, Charles XII - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). It also marked the end of the Swedish Empire, and the country was pushed into a parliamentary government, which was not the norm in Europe. ), king of Sweden (1697–1718), an absolute monarch who defended his country for 18 years during the Great Northern War and promoted significant domestic reforms. However, he was too young to take charge of the country. The Charles XII Bible was a Bible translation into swedish ordered by Charles XII. Charles XI’s chief consolation was a close companionship with his heir, and from this time onward Prince Charles accompanied his father on travels of inspection and on all kinds of official occasions. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Nick Name: Ironhead Charles, Demirbaş Şarl, Also Known As: Charles XII, Carolus Rex, Carl XII, See the events in life of Charles XII Of Sweden in Chronological Order. This gave the Russians an outlet to the sea, from which they could threaten Sweden in the Baltic. Charles XII; Charles XII in 1706 by Johan David Schwartz. By then, Charles, 15, had been groomed by excellent tutors and politicians. [1]), was the King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718.He belonged to the House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, a branch line of the House of Wittelsbach. An historical film depicting the life of Charles XII of Sweden (1682-1718), who oversaw the expansion of the Swedish Empire until its defeat at the Battle of Poltava. Charles was by then already on his way to Turkish-held territory, where he hoped to find allies. He planned to attack Norway, with an aim to prevent the Danish king from helping Russia in future conflicts. This transformation was to be accomplished by dethroning Augustus and substituting a Polish-born king willing to cooperate with the Swedes. He had been open and confiding; but on succeeding to the crown he assumed a noncommittal behaviour in public, though in private he was much influenced by the instructions that his father had left for his political guidance and by the counsel of his father’s advisers. Back then, Sweden was admired as a kingdom that had produced great warriors. Charles was the only surviving son of King Charles XI of Sweden and Ulrika Eleonora the Elder, and he assumed the crown at the age of fifteen, at the death of his father. Charles’s troops left Saxony to invade Russia in the late autumn of 1707. Between 1701 and 1707, Charles was involved in a series of negotiations in Europe, which ended up reducing the Danish and the Polish threats to a great extent. Though wounded in the foot and unable to lead the army in person, Charles chose battle and attacked the Russian fortified camp at Poltava on July 8 (June 27, old style; June 28, Swedish style). Ragnhild M. Hatton, Charles XII of Sweden (1968), is the best study in any language. He belonged to the House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, a branch line of the House of Wittelsbach.Charles was the only surviving son of Charles XI and Ulrika Eleonora the Elder.He assumed power, after a seven-month caretaker government, at the age of fifteen. For the first few years, the young king focused on hunting and partying. Corrections? Bain also focuses on Charles’ mother, Queen Ulrica Leonora, who wished to have her son to have a good Christian education. During his exile in the Ottoman Empire, the Swedish king Charles XII … Yet, Charles exhibited great military skills, and Russia was defeated. Charles XI passed away in 1697, and the burden of ruling the nation fell on Charles XII’s shoulders. Charles XII was the King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718 and by all accounts was pretty hardcore. Charles was also known for practicing abstinence from sex and alcohol. Charles was the only surviving son of Charles XI and Ulrika Eleonora the Elder. Hence, he was the only remaining son of the royal family. The Old School is the good ol' 19th century romanticism. He had also received military training from the best military strategists of the country. The attack failed, and three days later the bulk of the Swedish Army surrendered to the Russians at Perevolochna. Sweden had, however, remained a free country until then. Charles had an older sister, and many of his younger brothers had passed away. The battle saw the Swedish army defeat a Russian army that was twice its size. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karl_XII_1706.jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karl_XII_1697.jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portr%C3%A4tt_av_Karl_XII._Alt-Ranstad_-_Skoklosters_slott_-_86683.tif, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carl_XII_of_Sweden,_engraving.jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karl_(Charles)_XII_of_Sweden.png, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_Kl%C3%B6cker_Ehrenstrahl_-_Charles_XII_of_Sweden_1697.jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_Charles_XII_of_Sweden.jpg. Putnam's Sons, 1895 - Sweden - 320 pages. Denmark, Poland, and Russia made a treaty in 1699, while Prussia preferred to wait and see. For the horse, see Charles the Twelfth. However, Charles exhibited great military prowess and emerged victorious in several battles despite his forces being severely outnumbered. Charles XII defeated his enemies in the first six years of his Hatton focuses on the political, diplomatic, and military life of the Swedish monarch in this massive study. He was the only surviving son of King Charles XI of Sweden and Ulrike Eleonora of Denmark. Directed by John W. Brunius. After the battle he was able to flee to the Ottoman Empire and stayed there for couple of years. Charles was the only surviving son of Charles XI and Ulrika Eleonora the Elder. At the time of his ascension to the throne, the Swedish Empire spanned a vast area in Europe and was known as one of the most powerful European countries. He was born on June 27, 1682.. During his time as a king, he tried to expand Sweden's empire. Find the perfect Charles Xii Of Sweden stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Its intricately designed war machinery and monarchy were both absolutely destroyed. The war that resulted was known as the Great Northern War. He was, however, also a ruler of the early Enlightenment era, promoting domestic reforms of significance. King Charles XII (or Carolus Rex) is one of Sweden’s most famous Kings.