Ulrika Eleonora, Queen of Sweden (d. 1741)

Ulrika Eleonora, also known as Ulrica Eleanor, was born on 23 January 1688 and passed away on 24 November 1741. Often referred to as Ulrika Eleonora the Younger to distinguish her from her mother, Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark, she played a pivotal, albeit brief, role in Swedish history. Her reign as Queen of Sweden in her own right commenced on 5 December 1718, following a significant period of national upheaval. However, her direct rule was short-lived, concluding with her abdication on 29 February 1720 in favour of her husband, King Frederick I. Thereafter, she served as his devoted consort until her death.

Early Life and Family Legacy

Ulrika Eleonora was the youngest surviving child of King Charles XI of Sweden and Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark. Her father, Charles XI, was renowned for establishing absolute monarchy in Sweden, a system of governance that centralized immense power in the hands of the monarch, significantly curtailing the influence of the Riksdag (the Swedish parliament). Her mother, Queen Ulrika Eleonora, was deeply admired for her piety and charitable work, and the princess was named in her honour. The royal household also included an elder brother, Charles XII, who would later become a legendary warrior king, and an elder sister, Hedvig Sophia.

The Contentious Succession Following Charles XII's Death

The death of her elder brother, King Charles XII, on 30 November 1718 during the siege of Fredriksten in Norway, marked a dramatic turning point for Sweden and for Ulrika Eleonora personally. Charles XII, who had led Sweden through the arduous Great Northern War for over two decades, died without legitimate issue, leaving the throne vacant and its succession fiercely contested. Ulrika Eleonora swiftly asserted her claim to the throne. However, her claim was challenged by Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, the son of her deceased elder sister, Hedvig Sophia. Charles Frederick's claim was based on the principle of primogeniture, a traditional rule of inheritance that dictates succession by the right of the firstborn in a direct line, typically favouring male heirs and their descendants. By this established hereditary right, Charles Frederick, as the male heir descended from the elder sister, appeared to possess a stronger claim to the Swedish crown.

In response, Ulrika Eleonora put forth her own argument, emphasizing her "proximity of blood" as the closest surviving sibling of the late King Charles XII. This concept prioritized the immediate familial relationship to the deceased monarch over strict primogeniture in certain interpretations of succession law. To bolster her position and provide historical validation for a female monarch, she also invoked the precedent of Queen Christina, who had successfully reigned as Queen of Sweden in her own right in the 17th century, demonstrating that a queen regnant was not unprecedented in Swedish history.

The End of Absolutism and the Dawn of the Age of Liberty

The Riksdag of the Estates, which had been largely sidelined during the period of royal absolutism, seized this moment of dynastic uncertainty to reassert its authority. The Estates were eager to dismantle the absolute power concentrated in the monarch's hands, which had led to extensive wars and significant national debt under Charles XI and Charles XII. Recognizing the political imperative and the strong desire of the powerful Riksdag for greater constitutional control, Ulrika Eleonora agreed to a pivotal condition: she formally renounced the absolute powers inherited from her father, Charles XI. This crucial agreement, reached before her recognition as monarch, fundamentally altered the balance of power within Sweden.

Her acceptance of this condition, made on 21 January 1719, marked a constitutional revolution in Sweden. It effectively ended the era of absolutism and heralded the beginning of the "Age of Liberty" (Frihetstiden), a transformative period from 1719 to 1772 characterized by parliamentary rule and a significant reduction in monarchical power. This agreement meant that the monarch's rule would henceforth be subject to the laws and the will of the Riksdag, ushering in a more constitutional and parliamentary form of government.

Abdication and Later Life as Queen Consort

Despite her initial claim and accession, Ulrika Eleonora's reign as monarch was remarkably short. On 29 February 1720, she chose to abdicate in favour of her husband, Landgrave Frederick I of Hesse-Kassel. This decision was influenced by a complex interplay of personal and political factors. While some sources suggest her deep affection for Frederick and a desire to see him as king, it is also clear that the Riksdag played a significant role in orchestrating this transition. The Estates were keen to ensure that the new monarch would be even more amenable to their influence, and Frederick, as a foreign prince without a strong inherent claim to the Swedish throne, was seen as a more controllable figure than a reigning queen with potential dynastic ambitions.

Following his ascension, Frederick I was crowned King of Sweden. Ulrika Eleonora transitioned into the role of Queen Consort, a position she held until her death in 1741. Despite no longer holding sovereign power, she remained an influential figure within the court and was respected for her piety and devotion. She took a keen interest in charitable causes and often served as a calming presence during her husband's less stable rule. Her abdication, while ending her personal reign, cemented the constitutional changes that ushered in the Age of Liberty, profoundly shaping Sweden's political landscape for over five decades.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ulrika Eleonora

Who was Ulrika Eleonora the Younger?

Ulrika Eleonora the Younger was Queen of Sweden from 1718 to 1720. She was the youngest child of King Charles XI and Queen Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark, and is known for her brief reign and her role in the transition of Sweden from absolute monarchy to the parliamentary rule of the Age of Liberty.

How did Ulrika Eleonora become Queen of Sweden?

She claimed the throne after the death of her elder brother, King Charles XII, in 1718, who died without an heir. Despite a competing claim from her nephew, Charles Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp (based on primogeniture), Ulrika Eleonora's claim based on "proximity of blood" and her agreement to renounce absolute monarchical powers to the Riksdag led to her recognition as queen.

Why did Ulrika Eleonora abdicate the Swedish throne?

Ulrika Eleonora abdicated on 29 February 1720 in favor of her husband, Frederick I of Hesse-Kassel. This decision was influenced by a combination of her personal devotion to her husband and the strong political pressure from the Riksdag, which preferred a monarch less likely to challenge their newly reasserted authority, thereby ensuring the continuation of the "Age of Liberty."

What was Ulrika Eleonora's role after her abdication?

After her abdication, Ulrika Eleonora served as Queen Consort to her husband, King Frederick I, until her death in 1741. While she no longer held sovereign power, she remained an influential and respected figure at court, dedicating herself to charitable work and maintaining a presence in Swedish public life.

What was the "Age of Liberty" and Ulrika Eleonora's connection to it?

The "Age of Liberty" (Frihetstiden) was a period in Swedish history (1719-1772) characterized by parliamentary governance and a significant reduction in royal power. Ulrika Eleonora's agreement to renounce absolute monarchy in exchange for the crown directly initiated this era, making her reign a pivotal moment in Sweden's constitutional development.