Charles XIII of Sweden (b. 1748)

Charles XIII, often referred to as Carl XIII (Swedish: Karl XIII), was a pivotal figure in Scandinavian history, reigning as King of Sweden from 1809 until his death, and concurrently as King of Norway from 1814. Born on 7 October 1748, he passed away on 5 February 1818, concluding a period of significant political upheaval and constitutional change in both realms.

He was the second son of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia. Louisa Ulrika, a formidable personality in her own right, was notably the sister of Frederick the Great, the influential King of Prussia, a connection that underscored the Swedish royal family's ties to prominent European dynasties. Charles XIII was also the younger brother to King Gustav III, whose reign was marked by a monarchical coup and significant cultural patronage before his assassination in 1792.

Ascension to the Swedish Throne and Constitutional Reform

Charles XIII ascended the Swedish throne in 1809 under extraordinary circumstances. His elder brother's son, King Gustav IV Adolf, had been deposed earlier that year in a coup d'état following Sweden's disastrous defeat in the Finnish War, which resulted in the loss of Finland to Russia. This national humiliation led to deep public dissatisfaction and a demand for governmental reform. The 1809 coup not only removed Gustav IV Adolf but also brought about a new Instrument of Government, significantly curbing monarchical power and establishing a more parliamentary system, which Charles XIII, despite his advanced age and general disinterest in politics, was compelled to accept. His reign in Sweden thus began during a turbulent era, marked by a diminished royal prerogative and the urgent need for stability.

The Union with Norway

A crucial event of Charles XIII's reign was the establishment of the personal union between Sweden and Norway in 1814. This came about as a direct consequence of the Napoleonic Wars. Denmark-Norway, having sided with France, found itself on the losing side. In the Treaty of Kiel, signed on 14 January 1814, Denmark was compelled to cede Norway to Sweden. This transfer of sovereignty was not immediately accepted by the Norwegians, who resisted the move and declared their independence, adopting their own liberal constitution (the Eidsvoll Constitution) on 17 May 1814. A brief Swedish-Norwegian War followed in the summer of 1814, ultimately resolved by the Convention of Moss. Under this agreement, Charles XIII accepted the Norwegian Constitution, which retained its fundamental provisions, in exchange for Norway entering into a personal union with Sweden under a common monarch. Thus, Charles XIII became the first King of the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway, a union that would last until 1905.

The Royal Numeration Mystery

One of the most intriguing aspects of Charles XIII's titulature is the discrepancy in his numerical designation. While he is consistently known as King Charles XIII in Sweden, he was, in fact, only the seventh Swedish monarch to bear the name Charles. This curious numbering stems from a historical peculiarity dating back to the 16th century. Charles IX, who reigned from 1604 to 1611, had adopted his regal numeral based on a fictitious history of Sweden. This spurious chronicle, titled "Historia de omnibus Gothorum Sueonumque regibus" (A History of All Gothic and Swedish Kings), was authored by the Swedish archbishop Johannes Magnus in the mid-16th century. It fabricated a long line of ancient Swedish kings named Charles and Gustav, vastly inflating their numbers. Charles IX, perhaps seeking to project a deeper historical legitimacy for his lineage, chose to use "IX" despite being only the third *actual* King Charles of Sweden. Subsequent monarchs bearing the name continued this erroneous numbering. Consequently, Charles XIII carried on this inherited misnomer.

In Norway, however, the situation was different. Because Norway's monarchical history was distinct and had been closely tied to Denmark for centuries, the Norwegian numbering of their monarchs did not follow Sweden's idiosyncratic system. Therefore, when Charles XIII became King of Norway, he was correctly designated as Charles II, acknowledging only the true count of Norwegian kings named Charles. The first King Charles of Norway, Charles I, was King Charles XII of Sweden, who held Norway briefly during the Great Northern War.

Succession and Legacy

Charles XIII's reign was largely overshadowed by his advanced age, declining health, and his general lack of interest in the day-to-day governance. Crucially, he was childless. This necessitated a decision on the royal succession, especially given the new constitutional realities in Sweden. After considering various candidates, including a Danish prince, the Swedish Riksdag (parliament) ultimately chose to adopt Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, one of Napoleon's marshals, as his heir in 1810. Bernadotte, who took the name Charles John, quickly assumed much of the de facto leadership, effectively guiding Sweden through the final years of the Napoleonic Wars and establishing the union with Norway. Charles XIII's reign thus marked a significant transition, not only in terms of constitutional reform and the union with Norway but also in establishing the House of Bernadotte as the new ruling dynasty of Sweden and Norway, a lineage that continues to reign in Sweden today.

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