Charles XII
King of Sweden, the Goths and the Wends; Grand Prince of Finland; Duke of Skåne, Estonia, Livonia, Karelia, Bremen, Verden, Stettin, Pomerania, Kashubia and Wendia; Prince of Rügen; Lord of Ingria and Wismar; Count Palatine of the Rhine; Duke of Bavaria, Jülich, Cleves and Berg
Charles XII. By David von Krafft (1700).
Reign	5 April 1697 – 30 November 1718 (guardian rule until November 1697)
Coronation	14 December 1697
Born	17 June 1682
	Stockholm Palace, Sweden
Died	30 November 1718 (aged 36)
	Fredrikshald, Norway
Buried	Riddarholmen Church, Stockholm
Predecessor	Charles XI
Successor	Ulrika Eleonora
Consort	Unmarried
Issue	None
Royal House	Palatinate-Zweibrücken
Royal motto	Med Guds hjälp ("With the help of God")
Father	Charles XI of Sweden
Mother	Ulrike Eleonora of Denmark

Charles XII (Swedish: Karl XII) (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718), also known by the Latinized name Carolus Rex ("King Charles") and in Turkish as Demirbaş Şarl ("Charles the Habitué"), was King of Sweden from 1697 until his death. He was the only surviving son of King Charles XI of Sweden and Ulrike Eleonora of Denmark. Charles XII is: Charles XII, or Karl XII, (1682 - 1718), King of Sweden - see Charles XII of Sweden A 19th-century racehorse - see Charles XII (horse) A pub in the Yorkshire village of Heslington, named after the racehorse, often frequented by University of York students - see Heslington Category: ... Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a representative democracy based on a parliamentary system. ... The title of King of the Goths was for many centuries borne by both the Kings of Sweden and the Kings of Denmark, denoting sovereignty or claimed sovereignty over the antique people of the Goths, which is sort of poetic explanation. ... The title of King of the Wends denoted sovereignty or claims over Slavic lands of southern coasts of the Baltic Sea, those otherwise called Mecklenburg, Holstein and Pomerania, and was from 12th century used by Kings of Denmark and from 16th century by Kings of Sweden. ... Grand Duke of Finland, more correctly Grand Prince of Finland, (Finnish: Suomen suuriruhtinas, Swedish: Storfurste av Finland) was a title in use, sometimes sporadically, between 1584 and 1808. ... The Flag of SkÃ¥ne (also known as Scania in English) is the southernmost historical province (landskap) and County (Län) of Sweden. ... Livonia was a dominion of Sweden from the 1620s until 1721. ... Map showing the parts Karelia is traditionally divided into. ... Bremen-Verden was a dominion of Sweden from 1648 to 1719, when it was ceded to Hanover in the Treaty of Stockholm. ... Motto: none Voivodship West Pomeranian Municipal government Rada miasta Szczecina Mayor Marian Jurczyk Area 301,3 km² Population  - city  - urban  - density 413 600 1372/km² Founded City rights 8th century 1243 Latitude Longitude 14°34E 53°26N Area code +48 91 Car plates ZS Twin towns Berlin-Kreuzberg... Swedish Pomerania (Swedish: Svenska Pommern) was a Dominion under the Swedish Crown from the 17th to the 19th century, situated on the German Baltic Sea coast. ... Kashubians (also Kassubians, or Cassubians, in Kashubian: Kaszëbi) are a Slavic ethnic group living in modern-day northwestern Poland. ... Vend redirects here. ... Map of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania highlighting the district Rügen Rügen (Polish: Rugia) is an island located off the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the Baltic Sea. ... Ingria may be seen represented in the easternmost part of the Carta Marina (1539) Ingria (Finnish: , Russian: , Swedish: , Estonian: ) is a historical region, now situated mostly in Russia, comprising the area along the basin of the river Neva, between the Gulf of Finland, the Narva River, Lake Peipsi in the... Wismar is a small port and Hanseatic League town in northern Germany on the Baltic Sea, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, about 45 km due east of Lübeck, and 30 km due north of Schwerin. ... A palatinate is a territory administered by a count palatine, originally the direct representative of the sovereign, but later the hereditary ruler of the territory subject to the crowns overlordship. ... For other uses, see Bavaria (disambiguation). ... Jülich is a medium-size town in the district of Düren, in the federal state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, in Germany. ... Map of Germany showing Cleves Cleves (in German Kleve, sometimes used in English as well; Dutch: Kleef) is a city in the north-west of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, near the Dutch border and the river Rhine, at 51°47′N 6°11′E. Population: 49,398 (2002), Area... Map of the duchies of Jülich, Cleves, and Berg circa 1477. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events September 11 - Battle of Zenta, Prince Eugene of Savoy crushed Ottoman army of Mustafa II September 20 - The Treaty of Ryswick December 2 – St Pauls Cathedral opened in London Peter the Great travels in Europe officially incognito as artilleryman Pjotr Mikhailov Use of palanquins increases in Europe Christopher... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1718 (MDCCXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Events September 11 - Battle of Zenta, Prince Eugene of Savoy crushed Ottoman army of Mustafa II September 20 - The Treaty of Ryswick December 2 – St Pauls Cathedral opened in London Peter the Great travels in Europe officially incognito as artilleryman Pjotr Mikhailov Use of palanquins increases in Europe Christopher... is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events September 11 - Battle of Zenta, Prince Eugene of Savoy crushed Ottoman army of Mustafa II September 20 - The Treaty of Ryswick December 2 – St Pauls Cathedral opened in London Peter the Great travels in Europe officially incognito as artilleryman Pjotr Mikhailov Use of palanquins increases in Europe Christopher... is the 168th day of the year (169th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1682 (MDCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Stockholm Palace (Swedish: Stockholms slott) is the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch. ... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1718 (MDCCXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... County Østfold District Municipality NO-0101 Administrative centre Halden Mayor (2003) Per Kristian Dahl (Ap) Official language form BokmÃ¥l Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 173 642 km² 596 km² 0. ... One of the oldest building in Stockholm. ... For other uses, see Stockholm (disambiguation). ... Charles XI (Karl XI) (November 24, 1655 – April 5, 1697) was King of Sweden from 1660 until his death. ... Ulrika Eleonora (January 23, 1688 – November 24, 1741) was Queen regnant of Sweden from November 30, 1718, to February 29, 1720, and then Queen consort until her death. ... The House of Pfalz-Zweibrücken was the Royal House of Sweden from 1654 to 1720. ... Ulrike Eleonora by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl Ulrike Eleonora (1656 - 1693) (the name Ulrike is a Danish version of the name, in Swedish she is called Ulrika Eleonora), was the daughter of King Frederick III of Denmark and his wife Queen Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. ... is the 168th day of the year (169th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1682 (MDCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1718 (MDCCXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a representative democracy based on a parliamentary system. ... Events September 11 - Battle of Zenta, Prince Eugene of Savoy crushed Ottoman army of Mustafa II September 20 - The Treaty of Ryswick December 2 – St Pauls Cathedral opened in London Peter the Great travels in Europe officially incognito as artilleryman Pjotr Mikhailov Use of palanquins increases in Europe Christopher... Charles XI (Karl XI) (November 24, 1655 – April 5, 1697) was King of Sweden from 1660 until his death. ... Ulrike Eleonora by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl Ulrike Eleonora (1656 - 1693) (the name Ulrike is a Danish version of the name, in Swedish she is called Ulrika Eleonora), was the daughter of King Frederick III of Denmark and his wife Queen Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. ...

Charles assumed the crown at the age of fifteen, at the death of his father. He left the country three years later to embark on a series of battles overseas. These battles were part of the Great Northern War and many of them were fought against Peter I of Russia. Saxony, Denmark-Norway, Poland and Russia joined in a coalition to attack Sweden, starting what would later be known as the Great Northern War. Charles XII, considered a skilled military leader and tactician, defeated his opponents. However, his tactical abilities are not considered to have been accompanied by strategic and political wisdom. He is quoted by Voltaire as saying upon the outbreak of the Great Northern War, "I have resolved never to start an unjust war but never to end a legitimate one except by defeating my enemies." His resolution to continue Swedish warfare eventually resulted in defeat and ended the royal aspirations to create and uphold a Swedish Empire. Combatants Sweden Ottoman Empire (1710–1714) Ukrainian Cossacks Russia Denmark-Norway Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Saxony after 1718 Prussia Hanover Commanders Charles XII of Sweden Ahmed III Ivan Mazepa Peter the Great Frederick IV of Denmark Augustus II the Strong Strength 77,000 in the beginning of the war. ... Peter the Great or Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov (Russian: Пётр I Алексеевич Pyotr I Alekse`yevich, Пётр Великий Pyotr Veli`kiy) (9 June 1672 – 8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.][1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death, jointly ruling before 1696 with his... Location Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Administration Country NUTS Region DED Capital Dresden Minister-President Georg Milbradt (CDU) Governing parties CDU / SPD Votes in Bundesrat 4 (from 69) Basic statistics Area  18,416 km² (7,110 sq mi) Population 4,252,000 (11/2006)[1]  - Density 231 /km... The Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, consisting of Denmark and Norway, including Norways possessions Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, is a term used for the two united kingdoms after their amalgamation as one state in 1536. ... Combatants Sweden Ottoman Empire (1710–1714) Ukrainian Cossacks Russia Denmark-Norway Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Saxony after 1718 Prussia Hanover Commanders Charles XII of Sweden Ahmed III Ivan Mazepa Peter the Great Frederick IV of Denmark Augustus II the Strong Strength 77,000 in the beginning of the war. ... For the singer of the same name, see Voltaire (musician). ... Sweden between the years 1611 and 1718 is known as the Swedish Empire. ...

Royal Title

Charles, like all kings, was styled by a royal title, which collected all his titles into one single phrase. This was:

We Charles, by the Grace of God of the Swedes, the Goths and the Vends King, Grand Duke of Finland, Duke of Estonia and Karelia, Lord of Ingria, Duke of Bremen, Verden and Pommerania, Prince of Rügen and Lord of Wismar, and also Count Palatine by the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Count of Zweibrücken-Kleeburg, as well as Duke of Jülich, Cleve and Berg, Count of Waldenz, Spanheim and Ravensberg and Lord of Ravensteinand master of his own domain The title of King of the Goths was for many centuries borne by both the Kings of Sweden and the Kings of Denmark, denoting sovereignty or claimed sovereignty over the antique people of the Goths, which is sort of poetic explanation. ... The title of King of the Wends denoted sovereignty or claims over Slavic lands of southern coasts of the Baltic Sea, those otherwise called Mecklenburg, Holstein and Pomerania, and was from 12th century used by Kings of Denmark and from 16th century by Kings of Sweden. ... Grand Duke of Finland, more correctly Grand Prince of Finland, (Finnish: Suomen suuriruhtinas, Swedish: Storfurste av Finland) was a title in use, sometimes sporadically, between 1584 and 1808. ... This article is about the nobility title. ... Map showing the parts Karelia is traditionally divided into. ... Lordship redirects here. ... Ingria may be seen represented in the easternmost part of the Carta Marina (1539) Ingria (Finnish: , Russian: , Swedish: , Estonian: ) is a historical region, now situated mostly in Russia, comprising the area along the basin of the river Neva, between the Gulf of Finland, the Narva River, Lake Peipsi in the... This article is about the city in Germany. ... Verden can refer to: Verden, Germany, a city in Lower Saxony, Germany. ... Swedish Pomerania (Swedish: Svenska Pommern) was a Dominion under the Swedish Crown from the 17th to the 19th century, situated on the German Baltic Sea coast. ... The term prince, from the Latin root princeps, is used for a member of the highest ranks of the aristocracy or the nobility. ... Map of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania highlighting the district Rügen Rügen (Polish: Rugia) is an island located off the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the Baltic Sea. ... Wismar is a small port and Hanseatic League town in northern Germany on the Baltic Sea, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, about 45 km due east of Lübeck, and 30 km due north of Schwerin. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... For other uses, see Rhine (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bavaria (disambiguation). ... This article is about the style or title of nobility. ... Zweibrücken is a city of Germany in Rhineland-Palatinate, on the Schwarzbach river at the border of the Palatine Forest. ... The Duchy of Jülich was a state of the Holy Roman Empire in present Germany (part of North Rhine-Westphalia) and the Netherlands (part of Limburg). ... The Duchy of Cleves (Herzogtum Kleve) was a state of the Holy Roman Empire in present Germany (part of North Rhine-Westphalia) and the Netherlands (parts of Limburg, Noord-Brabant and Gelderland). ... Map of the duchies of Jülich, Cleves, and Berg circa 1477. ... Ravensberg, historical county in eastern Westphalia, Germany. ... Ravenstein is a town in the Neckar-Odenwald district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. ...

Campaigns

Campaign against Denmark, Russia and Poland

In 1700, Denmark-Norway, Saxony, and Russia united in an alliance against Sweden, using the perceived opportunity as Sweden was ruled by the young and inexperienced King. Early that year, all three countries declared war against Sweden. Charles had to deal with these threats one by one.

Charles's first campaign was against Denmark-Norway, ruled by his cousin Frederick IV of Denmark, which threatened a Swedish ally, Charles' brother-in-law Frederick IV of Holstein-Gottorp. For this campaign Charles secured the support of England and the Netherlands, both maritime powers concerned about Denmark's threats to close the Sound. Leading a force of 8,000 and 43 ships in an invasion of Zealand, Charles rapidly compelled the Danes to submit to the Peace of Travendal in August 1700, which indemnified Holstein. The Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, consisting of Denmark and Norway, including Norways possessions Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, is a term used for the two united kingdoms after their amalgamation as one state in 1536. ... Frederick IV Frederick IV (October 11, 1671 - October 12, 1730) king of Denmark and Norway from 1699. ... Duke Frederick IV of Holstein-Gottorp (18 October 1671 – 19 July 1702) was Duke of Schleswig. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Denmark (red) / south Sweden (yellow), connected with the Oresund Bridge. ... Map showing location of Zealand within Denmark. ... The Peace of Travendal (also Treaty of Travendal) concluded between King Charles XII of Sweden and King Frederick IV of Denmark represented Swedens first success in the Great Northern War. ...

Having defeated Denmark-Norway, King Charles turned his attention upon the two other powerful neighbors, King August II of Poland (cousin to both Charles XII and Frederick IV of Denmark-Norway) and Peter the Great of Russia, who also had entered the war against him. Reign From 1697, until 1706 and from 1709, until February 1, 1733 Elected In 1697 in Wola, today suburb of Warsaw, Poland Coronation On September 15, 1697 in the Wawel Cathedral, Kraków, Poland Royal House Wettin Parents John George III Wettin Anne Sophie Consorts  ? Children August III Sas Maurice... Peter the Great or Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov (Russian: Пётр I Алексеевич Pyotr I Alekse`yevich, Пётр Великий Pyotr Veli`kiy) (9 June 1672 – 8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.][1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death, jointly ruling before 1696 with his...

Russia had opened their part of the war by invading the Swedish-held territories of Livonia and Estonia. Charles countered this by attacking the Russian garrison at the Battle of Narva. The Swedish army of ten thousand men was outnumbered four to one by the Russians. Charles attacked under cover of a blizzard, effectively split the Russian army in two and won the battle. Many of Peter's troops that fled the battlefield drowned in the Narva River, and the total number of Russian fatalities reached about 17 000 at the end of the battle, while the Swedish troop lost 667 men. Baltic Tribes, ca 1200 CE This article is about the region in Europe. ... Three famous battles took place around Narva. ... Narva river is a river which flows at the border of Estonia and Russia. ...

Charles did not pursue the Russian army. Instead, he then turned against Poland-Lithuania, which was formally neutral at this point, thereby disregarding Polish negotiation proposals supported by the Swedish parliament. Charles defeated the Polish king Augustus II and his Saxon allies at the Battle of Kliszow in 1702 and captured many cities of the Commonwealth. After the deposition of the king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Charles XII put Stanisław Leszczyński on the throne. Reign From 1734 until October 5, 1763 Elected In 1734 in Wola, today suburb of Warsaw, Poland Coronation On January 17, 1734 in the Wawel Cathedral, Kraków, Poland Royal House Wettin Parents August II Mocny ? Consorts Marie Josepha Children Frederick Christian Date of Birth October 7, 1696 Place of... Location Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Administration Country NUTS Region DED Capital Dresden Minister-President Georg Milbradt (CDU) Governing parties CDU / SPD Votes in Bundesrat 4 (from 69) Basic statistics Area  18,416 km² (7,110 sq mi) Population 4,252,000 (11/2006)[1]  - Density 231 /km... Combatants Sweden Poland,Saxony Commanders Charles XII August II the Strong Strength 20 000, 20 000, Casualties 1000 2000 Battle of Kliszów took place on July 19 1702 in MaÅ‚opolska during Great Northern War. ... Events March 8 - William III died; Princess Anne Stuart becomes Queen Anne of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Reign From 1704 until 1709 and from 1733 until 1736 Elected In 1704 and 1733 in Wola, today suburb of Warsaw, Poland Coronation On October 4, 1705 in the St. ...

Charles XII and Mazepa at the Dnieper River after the Poltava by an unknown artist.

Image File history File links Charles_XII_and_Mazepa_at_the_Dnieper_River_after_Poltava. ... Image File history File links Charles_XII_and_Mazepa_at_the_Dnieper_River_after_Poltava. ... Ivan Stepanovich Mazepa (Іван Степанович Мазепа in Ukrainian; Иван Степанович Мазепа in Russian) (circa 1640 &#8212... The Dnieper River (Russian: , Dnepr; Belarusian: , Dniapro; Ukrainian: , Dnipro) is a river which flows from Russia, through Belarus and Ukraine, ending its flow in the Black Sea. ... Combatants Swedish Empire Russian Empire Commanders Carl Gustaf Rehnskiöld # Peter the Great Strength 17,000 troops attacking, 7,000 besieging Poltava, 45,000 troops, 130 cannons (about 100 participated in the battle) 3,000 Kalmyks arrived at the end of battle Casualties 6,900 killed, wounded or missing 2760...

Russian resurgence

While Charles won several battles in the Commonwealth, the Russian Tsar Peter the Great embarked on a military reform plan that improved the Russian army. Russian forces managed to retake Ingermanlandia and established a new city Saint Petersburg there. This prompted Charles to attack the Russian heartland with an assault on Moscow, allying himself with Ivan Mazepa, Hetman of the Ukrainian Cossacks. The size of the invading Swedish army altogether was 77 400 men. Charles left the homeland, Sweden and Finland, with a defense of approximately 28 800 men. The Swedish Empire was at its peak. Two years later the army was no more. Peter I Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia Peter I (Pyotr Alekseyvich) (9 June 1672–8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death. ... Ingria may be seen represented in the easternmost part of the Carta Marina (1539) Ingria (Finnish: , Russian: , Swedish: , Estonian: ) is a historical region, now situated mostly in Russia, comprising the area along the basin of the river Neva, between the Gulf of Finland, the Narva River, Lake Peipsi in the... Saint Petersburg  listen (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... Ivan Stepanovych Mazepa (Ukrainian: historically spelled as Mazeppa; circa 1644—1709), Cossack Hetman (Ataman) of the Hetmanate in Left-bank Ukraine, in 1687–1708. ... Hetman`s coat of arms Hetman StanisÅ‚aw Koniecpolski of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Hetman was the title of the second highest military commander (after the monarch) used in 15th to 18th century Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania, known from 1569 to 1795 as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with History of the Cossacks. ...

Peter the Great defeated Swedish forces near the Baltic coast before Charles could combine his forces, and Charles' Polish ally, Stanisław Leszczyński, was facing internal problems of his own. Charles expected the support of a massive Cossack rebellion led by Mazepa in Ukraine but the Russians destroyed the rebel army before they could aid the Swedish troops. The harsh climate took its toll as well, as Charles marched his troops through Ukraine.

Carolus - the autograph of the king.

By the time of the decisive Battle of Poltava, Charles had been wounded, one-third of his infantry was dead, and his supply train was destroyed. The king was incapacitated by a coma resulting from his injuries and was unable to lead the Swedish forces. The battle was a disaster for the king, and he fled south to the Ottoman Empire, where he set up camp at Bender with about 1000 men who were called Caroleans ("Karoliner" in Swedish). The Poltava Swedish disaster is by some historians considered the point where the Swedish Empire ended and the Russian Empire started to rise. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1021x277, 12 KB) The autograph of Carl XII of Sweden. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1021x277, 12 KB) The autograph of Carl XII of Sweden. ... Combatants Swedish Empire Russian Empire Commanders Carl Gustaf Rehnskiöld # Peter the Great Strength 17,000 troops attacking, 7,000 besieging Poltava, 45,000 troops, 130 cannons (about 100 participated in the battle) 3,000 Kalmyks arrived at the end of battle Casualties 6,900 killed, wounded or missing 2760... Ottoman redirects here. ... Tighina, or Tigina, is a city in Moldova. ... Sweden between the years 1611 and 1718 is known as the Swedish Empire. ... The subject of this article was previously also known as Russia. ...

Exile in the Ottoman Empire

The Turks initially welcomed the Swedish king, who managed to incite a war between the Ottomans and the Russians. His expenses during his long stay in the Ottoman Empire were covered from the Ottoman state budget, as part of the fixed assets (Demirbaş in Turkish), hence his nickname Demirbaş Şarl (Fixed Asset Charles) in Turkey. Demirbaş, the Turkish word for fixed asset, is literally ironhead (demir = iron, baş = head), which is the reason why this nickname has often been translated as Ironhead Charles. Ottoman redirects here. ...

However, the sultan Ahmed III eventually tired of Charles' scheming and besieged the city. The Janissaries did not shoot Charles, but captured him and put him under house-arrest in Constantinople. During his imprisonment the King played chess and studied the Turkish navy. Sultan Ahmed III Köçeks at a fair. ... The Janissaries (or janizaries; in Turkish: Yeniçeri, meaning New Troops) comprised infantry units that formed the Ottoman sultans household troops and bodyguard. ... This article is about the city before the Fall of Constantinople (1453). ... The Turkish Navy was once the largest sea power in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Red Sea, Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean; entering the history books of many countries in distant lands such as the British Isles, Scandinavia, Iceland, Labrador, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Newfoundland and Virginia in the...

Meanwhile, Russia and Poland regained and expanded their territories. Great Britain, an ally of Sweden, defected from its alliance obligations while Prussia attacked Swedish holdings in Germany. Russia seized Finland and Augustus II regained the Polish throne.

Death

The funeral transport of Charles XII. A romanticized painting by Gustaf Cederström, 1884

Charles succeeded in leaving his imprisonment in Istanbul and returned to Swedish Pomerania on horseback, riding across Europe in just fifteen days. His efforts to reestablish the Swedish empire failed. He had two Turkish style war-ships built in Sweden, the Yildirim ("The Lightning") and the Yaramaz ("The Rogue"). He invaded Norway in 1716, occupied the capital Christiania, today Oslo, and laid siege to the Akershus fortress. However, the siege was lifted after the conquest of the Swedish supply fleet by Tordenskjold at the battle of Dynekilen. Image File history File links eng: Funeral transport of Charles XII of Sweden sv: Karl XIIs likfärd (1884) Painting by Gustaf Cederström (1845-1933) File links The following pages link to this file: Charles XII of Sweden ... Image File history File links eng: Funeral transport of Charles XII of Sweden sv: Karl XIIs likfärd (1884) Painting by Gustaf Cederström (1845-1933) File links The following pages link to this file: Charles XII of Sweden ... The funeral transport of Charles XII (1884), Gustaf Cederströms own copy of his most famous painting. ... Swedish Pomerania (Swedish: Svenska Pommern) was a Dominion under the Swedish Crown from the 17th to the 19th century, situated on the German Baltic Sea coast. ... // Events August 5 - In the Battle of Peterwardein 40. ... Depending on context, Christiania can refer to: Christiania, capital of Norway – what Oslo was called from 1624 to 1877, named after King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway; subsequently, the city was called Kristiania (q. ... This article is about the capital of Norway. ... Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning) is the old castle built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. ... Peter Wessel Tordenskjold 1691-1720 Peter Wessel Tordenskjold, also known as Peter Wessel, Peder Tordenskjold, or Peder Tordenskiold, (October 28, 1691-1720), was an eminent Norwegian naval hero in the service of the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway. ... The naval Battle of Dynekilen took place on 8 July 1716 during the Great Northern War, when a light Danish-Norwegian force under Tordenskjold trapped and defeated a similar Swedish force in Dynekilen fjord (just north of Strömstad), on the west coast of Sweden. ...

In 1718 Charles once more invaded Norway and laid siege to the strong fortress of Fredriksten, overlooking the border town of Halden. While inspecting trenches close to the perimeter of the fortress, he was mortally hit by a bullet on December 11 (Swedish calendar: November 30), 1718. The successful invasion was abandoned, and Charles' body was brought across the border. Another army corps under Carl Gustaf Armfeldt marched against Trondheim, but had to make a retreat, during which most of the 5,000 soldiers perished in a severe winter storm. Year 1718 (MDCCXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Fredriksten fortress, Halden, Norway - seen from the citys harbor Fredriksten is a fortress in the city of Halden in Norway. ... County Østfold District Municipality NO-0101 Administrative centre Halden Mayor (2003) Per Kristian Dahl (Ap) Official language form BokmÃ¥l Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 173 642 km² 596 km² 0. ... This article is about firearms projectiles. ... is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1718 (MDCCXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Friherre Carl Gustaf Armfeldt (born in Ingria November 9, 1666, died October 24, 1736 in Finland), was a Swedish officer who took part in the Great Northern War. ... County District Municipality NO-1601 Administrative centre Trondheim Mayor (2003-) Rita Ottervik (AP) Official language form Neutral Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 258 342 km² 322 km² 0. ...

The exact circumstances around Charles' death are unclear. The most likely theory is that he was hit by a bullet from a Norwegian musket, but he may also have been killed by a grapeshot bullet from a cannon. Another theory is that he was killed by one of his own uniform buttons that had been re-made into a bullet. The button-bullet theory is coupled with speculation that he was shot from the Swedish side, making his death an assassination, because he should allegedly have been unpopular in Sweden at the time. Muskets and bayonets aboard the frigate Grand Turk. ... Grapeshot was a kind of anti-personnel ammunition used in cannons. ... For other uses, see Cannon (disambiguation). ... Assassin and Assassins redirect here. ...

The most recent and thorough study was presented in 2005 by Peter From. With the help of expertise from around the world, From argues that the mortal bullet was fired by a Norwegian musket. The theory has gained support by renowned historians Peter Englund and Dick Harrison, among others. Muskets and bayonets aboard the frigate Grand Turk. ... Peter Englund (born April 4th 1957) is a Swedish author and historian, and is also a member of the Swedish Academy. ...

Charles was succeeded to the Swedish throne by his sister, Ulrika Eleonora. Von Görtz, his minister, was beheaded in 1719. Queen Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden (February 23, 1688 - November 24, 1741) was Queen regnant of Sweden from 1719 to 1720 and then Queen consort until her death. ...

Charles XII's last uniform.

Part of the Monument to Charles XII in Stockholm, with Charles pointing toward the east.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1614, 641 KB) Carolus XII dress, from the Livrustkammaren museum at the Royal Castle, Stockholm, Sweden. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1614, 641 KB) Carolus XII dress, from the Livrustkammaren museum at the Royal Castle, Stockholm, Sweden. ... Image File history File links Description: Statue of Charles XII of Sweden at Karl XII:s torg, Stockholm, Sweden. ... Image File history File links Description: Statue of Charles XII of Sweden at Karl XII:s torg, Stockholm, Sweden. ...

Scientific contributions

Apart from being a monarch, the King's interests included mathematics, and anything that would be beneficial to his warlike purposes. He is attributed as having invented an octal numeral system, which he considered more suitable for war purposes because all the boxes used for materials such as gunpowder were cubic. According to a report by contemporary scientist Emanuel Swedenborg, the King had sketched down a model of his thought on a piece of paper and handed it to him at their meeting in Lund in 1716. The paper was reportedly still in existence a hundred years later, but has since been lost. Several historians of science suspect that either the multi-talented Emanuel Swedenborg or the brilliant inventor Christopher Polhem – also present at the meeting in Lund – may have been the true inventor behind this feat, or at least a main contributor. For other meanings of mathematics or uses of math and maths, see Mathematics (disambiguation) and Math (disambiguation). ... The octal numeral system, or oct for short, is the base-8 number system, and uses the digits 0 to 7. ... This article is about different methods of expressing numbers with symbols. ... Smokeless powder Gunpowder is a pyrotechnic composition, an explosive mixture of sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate that burns rapidly, producing volumes of hot gas which can be used as a propellant in firearms and fireworks. ... Emanuel Swedenborg, 75, holding the manuscript of Apocalypsis Revelata (1766). ... Science is a body of empirical, theoretical, and practical knowledge about the natural world, produced by a global community of researchers making use of a body of techniques known as scientific methods, emphasizing the observation, experimentation and scientific explanation of real world phenomena. ... Christopher Polhem on the Swedish 500 kronor bank note. ...

Ancestors

Charles X Gustav (Karl X Gustav) (November 8, 1622 – February 13, 1660), was King of Sweden from 1654 until his death. ... Catarina Vasa, retratada por Jacob Heinrich Elbfas. ... Charles XI (Karl XI) (November 24, 1655 – April 5, 1697) was King of Sweden from 1660 until his death. ... Frederick III of Holstein-Gottorp (22 December 1597 – 10 August 1659) was a Duke of Holstein-Gottorp. ... Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp (October 23, 1634 – November 24, 1715), was a queen consort of Sweden. ... Marie Elisabeth of Saxony (22 November 1610 – 24 October 1684) was duchess of Holstein-Gottorp as a wife of Duke Friedrich III of Holstein-Gottorp. ... The coronation of King Christian IV, painted by Otto Bache, 1887. ... King Frederick III Frederick III (March 28, 1609 – February 19, 1670) was King of Denmark and Norway from 1648 until his death. ... King Christian IV and Queen Anne Catherine. ... Ulrike Eleonora by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl Ulrike Eleonora (1656 - 1693) (the name Ulrike is a Danish version of the name, in Swedish she is called Ulrika Eleonora), was the daughter of King Frederick III of Denmark and his wife Queen Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. ... George (17 November 1582, Celle – 2 April 1641, Hildesheim) was duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg. ... Queen Sophie Amalie. ... Anne Eleonore of Hesse-Darmstadt was born on 30th of July 1601 in Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany and died on the 6th May 1659 in Herzberg, Germany. ...

References

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Image File history File links Question_book-3. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Charles XII of Sweden

• The Great Northern War and Charles XII
• Charles XII and his Life and Death (Swedish)
• http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/swedhis/swed1700.htm

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