Russian colour taken in the battle of Narva on Nov. 20, 1700. The motif represents the Archangel Michael flanked by two medallions with Jesus and Mary on each side.
Uniform of Preobrazhensky worn by Peter the Great.
November 30th 1718: Charles XII of Sweden killed
On this day in 1718, by the old style calendar, King Charles XII of Sweden died in battle aged 36. Born in Stockholm in 1682, the fifteen-year old Charles ascended to the throne upon the death of his father in 1697. While young, the highly educated Charles had been well-prepared for kingship, though the nobility were less prepared for the young king’s strong will, finding him less easily manipulated than they had expected. Charles XII soon faced a major military crisis, as a coalition of Denmark, Poland, Saxony, and Russia attacked Sweden in the spring of 1700, beginning the Great Northern War. As the war continued, Charles XII established himself as an accomplished general and secured several victories. However, bent on outright victory, he faltered with a distastrous invasion of Russia in 1707. The king fled for the Ottoman Empire, leaving a council to govern in Sweden, though failed to find the allies he had hoped for. The war had decidedly turned away from Sweden’s favour – and Swedish people became increasingly frustrated with the taxes funding the fighting – but Charles was determined to retain Sweden’s status as a great power and refused to end the war on decent terms. Sweden continued to lose imperial possessions, but Charles turned his armies on Danish-held Norway, and was eventually killed during the siege of Fredrikshald. Since his death, rumours have abounded that the king was in fact shot by one of his own men, with speculation so rife that his body was even exhumed in 1917 for an autopsy. His death marked a pivotal moment in the decline of the Swedish empire, as a few years later the empire was no more – the prime casualty of the Great Northern War. Charles XII’s death also ended Sweden’s absolute monarchy, as after his death a parliamentary government was established. The king’s legacy remains a contentious issue today, with some Swedes seeing Charles XII as a foolhardy warmonger, and others praising his military skill and devotion to the Swedish cause.
November 30th 1718: Charles XII of Sweden killed
On this day in 1718, by the old style calendar, King Charles XII of Sweden died in battle aged 36. Born in Stockholm in 1682, the fifteen-year old Charles ascended to the throne upon the death of his father in 1697. While young, the highly educated Charles had been well-prepared for kingship, though the nobility were less prepared for the young king’s strong will, finding him less easily manipulated than they had expected. Charles XII soon faced a major military crisis, as a coalition of Denmark, Poland, Saxony, and Russia attacked Sweden in the spring of 1700, beginning the Great Northern War. As the war continued, Charles XII established himself as an accomplished general and secured several victories. However, bent on outright victory, he faltered with a distastrous invasion of Russia in 1707. The king fled for the Ottoman Empire, leaving a council to govern in Sweden, though failed to find the allies he had hoped for. The war had decidedly turned away from Sweden’s favour – and Swedish people became increasingly frustrated with the taxes funding the fighting – but Charles was determined to retain Sweden’s status as a great power and refused to end the war on decent terms. Sweden continued to lose imperial possessions, but Charles turned his armies on Danish-held Norway, and was eventually killed during the siege of Fredrikshald. Since his death, rumours have abounded that the king was in fact shot by one of his own men, with speculation so rife that his body was even exhumed in 1917 for an autopsy. His death marked a pivotal moment in the decline of the Swedish empire, as a few years later the empire was no more – the prime casualty of the Great Northern War. Charles XII’s death also ended Sweden’s absolute monarchy, as after his death a parliamentary government was established. The king’s legacy remains a contentious issue today, with some Swedes seeing Charles XII as a foolhardy warmonger, and others praising his military skill and devotion to the Swedish cause.
In memory of Karl XII, who died 198 years ago. This is the uniform he wore that day, with the courtesy of Livrustkammaren (royal armoury museum in Stockhom).
In memory of Karl XII, who died 198 years ago. This is the uniform he wore that day, with the courtesy of Livrustkammaren (royal armoury museum in Stockhom).