Charles XIII of Sweden

Charles XIII (Karl XIII) (October 7, 1748 – 1818), was King of Sweden from 1809 and King of Norway (where he was known as Charles II) from 1814 until his death. He was the second son of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, sister of Frederick the Great.

Life and politics

In 1772 he co-operated in the revolutionary plans of his brother Gustav III of Sweden. On the outbreak of the Russo-Swedish War of 1788 he served with distinction as admiral of the fleet, especially at the battles of Hogland (June 7, 1788) and Öland (July 26, 1789). On the latter occasion he would have won a signal victory but for the unaccountable remissness of his second-in-command, Admiral Liljehorn. On the death of Gustav III, Charles, now duke of Sudermannia, acted as regent of Sweden till 1796; but the real ruler of the country was the narrow-minded and vindictive Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm, whose mischievous influence over him was supreme. These four years were perhaps the most miserable and degrading in Swedish history (an age of lead succeeding an age of gold, as it has well been called) and may be briefly described as alternations of fantastic jacobinism and ruthless despotism. On the accession of Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden (November 1796), the duke became a mere cipher in politics till the March 13, 1809, when those who had dethroned Gustav IV Adolf appointed him regent, and finally elected king by Riksdag of the Estates. But by this time he was prematurely decrepit, and Jean-Baptist Bernadotte took over the government as soon as he landed in Sweden, 1810. By the Union of Sweden and Norway in 1814 Charles became king of Norway under the name Carl II of Norway. After eight years as king only by title, Charles died on February 5, 1818.

Related Topics:
1772 - Gustav III of Sweden - Russo-Swedish War - Fleet - Hogland - Öland - Sudermannia - Regent - Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm - Jacobinism - Despotism - Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden - March 13 - 1809 - Riksdag of the Estates - Jean-Baptist Bernadotte - 1810 - Union of Sweden and Norway - 1814 - February 5 - 1818

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