Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XIII. Reign of Charles XII, 1697–1718 - A. Introduction - B. Opening of the Great Northern War
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220 A History of Sweden
performed these with great vigor, assisted by his trust-
ed counselor Karl Piper, whom his father had recom-
mended to him as the ablest and most reliable of his
men. A remarkable knowledge of the various branches
of government the young king manifested. Hence, his
decisions were far more mature than one would have
expected from a youth of fifteen. He had his father’s
stern way of treating his officials :
always to command,
never to argue. "I have given my order, act accord-
ingly/’ he said once to some officers who tried to have
him change his order.
B. THE OPENING OF THE GREAT NORTHERN WAR
Conspiracy against Charles. The three neighboring
princes Frederick IV, king of Denmark; Augustus II,
elector of Saxony and king of Poland; and Peter I,
called the Great, tsar of Russia thought it opportune
to attack Sweden at this time, when it was governed
by an inexperienced youth and weakened by years of
famine. They intended to wrest from Sweden the ter-
ritories they had lost. While these princes were thus
weaving their webs about Charles, they assured him
of their friendship, and even suggested forming al-
liances with him.
The Triple Attack. But in February, 1700, Augustus
invaded Livonia, and immediately Frederick of Den-
mark attacked Sweden’s ally, the Duke of Holstein,
while Peter invaded Ingria.
Charles was on a bear hunt at Kungsor, when news
reached him that peace was at an end. On a nature like
that of Charles this treachery made such an abhorrent
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