Christian of Denmark at once attacked and
captured these forts, and levelled them to the ground. The duke,
being too weak to engage in a war with his powerful neighbour, did
not resent this attack, and the negotiations were continued as
before. In view of the danger of the situation, and the necessity
for a monarch at the head of affairs, the Swedish Diet met, at
Stockholm, to take part in the funeral of the late king, which was
to be performed on the 24th of November, and to deliberate upon the
situation.
"By the will of the late king, Charles was not to ascend the throne
until he reached the age of eighteen, but the diet passed a vote
overruling this, and, as the regency concurred, he was at once
crowned, and the alliance with Holstein was cemented by the
marriage, that had been previously arranged between Charles's
eldest sister and the Duke of Holstein, being celebrated at
Stockholm. Charles the Twelfth at once concluded treaties with
France, England, and Holland; while Denmark is reported to have
prepared for war by making a secret alliance with Augustus of
Saxony, King of Poland, and the Czar of Russia. Both these monarchs
were doubtless desirous of extending their dominions, at the cost
of Sweden, whose continental possessions are considerable.
Pages:
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102