Born: 17 June 1682 · Died: 30 November 1718 · Age: 36
Swedish warrior king who won stunning early victories in the Great Northern War before his crushing defeat by Russia at Poltava
Did you know?He never married and was famously austere, often wearing a simple soldier's uniform instead of royal robes.
Quick facts
Date of birth17 June 1682
Date of death30 November 1718
Age at death36
NationalitySwedish
BirthplaceStockholm, Sweden
Occupationmilitary leader, monarch
Editor's Take:
Charles XII was a soldier-king who spent most of his reign at war. He came to the Swedish throne at just 15 in 1697. Three years later Denmark, Saxony-Poland and Russia attacked Sweden together, beginning the Great Northern War. The young king struck back with startling speed, forcing Denmark out of the war and crushing a much larger Russian army at Narva in 1700. He then spent years campaigning in Poland. His invasion of Russia ended in disaster at Poltava in 1709, where Peter the Great's army destroyed his forces. He fled to the Ottoman Empire and stayed there for five years. He was shot dead while besieging the fortress of Fredriksten in Norway in 1718, and Sweden's age as a great power ended soon after.
Key Milestones
1697: Becomes King of Sweden at the age of 15
1700: Defeats a much larger Russian army at Narva
1709: Suffers a decisive defeat at Poltava
1718: Killed at the siege of Fredriksten in Norway
Charles XII, sometimes Carl XII (Swedish: Karl XII; 17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718 O.S.), was King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. He belonged to the House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, a branch line of the House of Wittelsbach.
Carl XII of Sweden's birthday is June 17. He was born on June 17, 1682 in Stockholm, Sweden.
How old was Carl XII of Sweden when he died?
Carl XII of Sweden died on November 30, 1718, aged 36.
Who shares a birthday with Carl XII of Sweden?
Famous people who share Carl XII of Sweden's June 17 birthday include Venus Williams, Edward I of England, M. C. Escher, Mohamed ElBaradei and Charles Gounod.
