Charles XII (1682 - 1718),
king of Sweden (1697 - 1718). Known as "
Alexander of the
North" and "
Madman of the
North," he spent most of his
reign invading and warring with Russia and European countries.
a
reference to Charles XII (1682-1718)
king of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. Shortly after succeeding his father (Charles XI) at the age of 15, he had to defend Sweden against an
alliance of Russia, Denmark,
Poland and Saxony (a region of
Germany), who desired to take over Swedish provinces from the youthful
king. He struck at these
enemies one by one, quickly defeating Denmark, winning a
major battle against Russia, and then went on to defeat
Poland and Saxony. In 1708 he again went against Russia, driving deep into Russian territory; however, he was defeated in 1709. By 1714, Sweden had lost most of its provinces on the Baltic
Sea and to regain some of its lost territory, Charles raised another army and in 1717 invaded Norway (then part of Denmark). He was killed by an
enemy bullet in November of 1718.
Charles XII (1682?1718),
king of Sweden (1697?1718). Known as isAlexander of the Northla and inMadman of the
North,ln he spent most of his
reign invading and warring with Russia and European countries.