The first king from the House of Holstein-Gottorp, Adolf Frederick was a weak monarch, installed as first in line to the throne following the parliamentary government's failure to reconquer the Baltic provinces in 1741–1743. Aside from a few attempts, supported by pro-absolutist factions among the nobility, to reclaim the absolute monarchy held by previous monarchs, he remained a mere constitutional figurehead until his death.
His reign saw an extended period of internal peace. However, the finances stagnated following failed mercantilist doctrines pursued by the Hat administration. The Hat administration ended during the 1765–1766 parliament, where the Cap opposition took over the government and enacted reforms towards greater economic liberalism, as well as a Freedom of Press Act. The Freedom of Press Act is unique for the time for its curtailing of all censorship, retaining punitive measures only for libeling the monarch or the Church of Sweden.[3]
From 1727 to 1750 Prince Adolf Frederick was the prince-bishop of Lübeck. This meant he ruled a fief around and including Eutin. After his first cousin, Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, died in 1739, Adolf Frederick became the administrator of Holstein-Kiel during the minority of the duke's orphan son, Charles Peter Ulrich. Shortly afterward, the young boy was invited to Russia by his maternal aunt, Empress Elizabeth, who soon declared him her heir. He later became known as Peter III of Russia.[7]
Adolf Fredrik, 1710-1771, kung av Sverige, hertig av Holstein-Gottorp (Antoine Pesne) - Nationalmuseum - 16035
In 1743, Adolf Frederick was elected heir to the throne of Sweden by the Hat faction (Swedish: Hattarna). The Hat faction wanted to obtain better conditions at the Treaty of Åbo from Empress Elizabeth of Russia,[5] who had adopted his nephew as her heir. He succeeded as King Adolf Frederick 8 years later on 25 March 1751.[8]
During his 20-year reign, Adolf Frederick was little more than a figurehead, the real power being with the Riksdag of the Estates, often distracted by party strife. Twice he endeavored to free himself from the tutelage of the estates. The first occasion was in 1756. Stimulated by his consort Louisa Ulrika of Prussia (sister of Frederick the Great), he tried to regain a portion of the attenuated prerogative through the Coup of 1756 to abolish the rule of the Riksdag of the Estates and reinstate absolute monarchy in Sweden. He nearly lost his throne in consequence. On the second occasion during the December Crisis of 1768, under the guidance of his eldest son, Gustav, he succeeded in overthrowing the "Cap" (Swedish: Mössorna) senate, but was unable to make any use of his victory.[5][9]
Death
Adolf Frederick died suddenly in Stockholm on 12 February 1771 with symptoms resembling either heart failure or poisoning. Popular stories about his death having resulted from a large meal (consisting of lobster, caviar, sauerkraut, kippers, and champagne as well as 14 helpings of his favourite dessert hetvägg of semla pastries and hot milk)[10][11] are considered propagandist by modern writers.[12]
The King was regarded as dependent on others, a weak ruler, and lacking of any talents. However, he was allegedly a good husband, a caring father, and a gentle master to his servants. His favourite pastime was to make snuffboxes, which he allegedly spent a great deal of time doing. His hospitality and friendliness were witnessed by many who deeply mourned him at his death.[citation needed]
Children
By his marriage to Princess Louisa Ulrika of Prussia (which took place on 18 August/29 August 1744 in Drottningholm), he had the following children:
^"Christian August, Herzog von Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp". Christian August (Herzog von Holstein-Gottorf). Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie. Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie. 1876. p. 192. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
^"Adolf Fredrik". Nordisk familjebok. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
^ abcOne or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Adolphus Frederick". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 211–212. This cites:
R. Nisbet Bain, Gustavus III. and his Contemporaries, vol. i. (London, 1895).
^Nina Ringbom. "Kristina Magdalena av Pfalz-Zweibrücken". historiesajten.se. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
^"Peter III". Saint-Petersburg.Com. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
^"Hattpartiet, Hattarna". Nordisk familjebok. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
^"Mösspartiet, Mössorna". Nordisk familjebok. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
^. The Local. February 2007. Archived from the original on 16 February 2008.
^Carlstedt, Magnus. "Hetvägg". semlor.nu. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
^Such as Claes Rainer 2021 in Sofia Magdalena : kärlek, revolutioner och mord ISBN 9789198624915 pp. 152-153
^"Gustav III (January 24, 1746 – March 29, 1792)". European Royal History. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
^Gunilla Roempke (1994). Gunilla Roempke. ed. Vristens makt – dansös i mätressernas tidevarv (The power of the ankle - dancer in the epoch of the royal mistresses) Stockholm: Stockholm Fischer & company. ISBN91-7054-734-3
^af Klercker, Cecilia, ed. Hedvig Elisabeth Charlottas dagbok [The diary of Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte] (in Swedish). VI 1797-1799. (1927) Translated by Cecilia af Klercker. Stockholm: P.A. Norstedt & Söners förlag. pp. 290–291
^Genealogie ascendante jusqu'au quatrieme degre inclusivement de tous les Rois et Princes de maisons souveraines de l'Europe actuellement vivans [Genealogy up to the fourth degree inclusive of all the Kings and Princes of sovereign houses of Europe currently living] (in French). Bourdeaux: Frederic Guillaume Birnstiel. 1768. p. 28.
External links
Media related to Adolf Frederick of Sweden at Wikimedia Commons
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Adolf Frederick of Sweden news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2007 Learn how and when to remove this template message Adolf Frederick or Adolph Frederick Swedish Adolf Fredrik German Adolf Friedrich 14 May 1710 12 February 1771 was King of Sweden from 1751 until his death He was the son of Christian August of Holstein Gottorp Prince of Eutin and Albertina Frederica of Baden Durlach He was an uncle of Catherine the Great 1 2 Adolf FrederickAdolf Frederick by Lorens Pasch the YoungerKing of SwedenReign25 March 1751 12 February 1771Coronation26 November 1751PredecessorFrederick ISuccessorGustav IIIPrince Bishop of LubeckReign1727 1750PredecessorCharles AugustSuccessorFrederick AugustBorn14 May 1710Gottorp Schleswig Duchy of SchleswigDied12 February 1771 1771 02 12 aged 60 Stockholm Palace Stockholm SwedenBurial30 July 1771Riddarholm ChurchSpouseLouisa Ulrika of Prussia m 1744 wbr IssueGustav III of SwedenCharles XIII of SwedenPrince Frederick Adolf Duke of OstergotlandSophia Albertina Abbess of QuedlinburgHouseHolstein GottorpFatherChristian August of Holstein Gottorp Prince of EutinMotherPrincess Albertina Frederica of Baden DurlachReligionLutheranismSignatureThe first king from the House of Holstein Gottorp Adolf Frederick was a weak monarch installed as first in line to the throne following the parliamentary government s failure to reconquer the Baltic provinces in 1741 1743 Aside from a few attempts supported by pro absolutist factions among the nobility to reclaim the absolute monarchy held by previous monarchs he remained a mere constitutional figurehead until his death His reign saw an extended period of internal peace However the finances stagnated following failed mercantilist doctrines pursued by the Hat administration The Hat administration ended during the 1765 1766 parliament where the Cap opposition took over the government and enacted reforms towards greater economic liberalism as well as a Freedom of Press Act The Freedom of Press Act is unique for the time for its curtailing of all censorship retaining punitive measures only for libeling the monarch or the Church of Sweden 3 Contents 1 Ancestry 2 Reign 3 Death 4 Legacy 5 Children 6 Ancestors 7 References 8 External linksAncestry EditAdolf Frederick s father was Christian Augustus 1673 1726 4 duke and a younger prince of Schleswig Holstein Gottorp prince bishop of Lubeck and administrator during the Great Northern War of the duchies of Holstein Gottorp for his relative Charles Frederick 5 His mother Albertina Frederica of Baden Durlach 1682 1755 4 was a descendant of earlier royal dynasties of Sweden great granddaughter of Princess Catherine of Sweden mother of King Charles X of Sweden On his mother s side Adolf Frederick was descended from King Gustav Vasa and Christina Magdalena a sister of Charles X of Sweden 6 Reign Edit Portrait by Gustaf Lundberg From 1727 to 1750 Prince Adolf Frederick was the prince bishop of Lubeck This meant he ruled a fief around and including Eutin After his first cousin Charles Frederick Duke of Holstein Gottorp died in 1739 Adolf Frederick became the administrator of Holstein Kiel during the minority of the duke s orphan son Charles Peter Ulrich Shortly afterward the young boy was invited to Russia by his maternal aunt Empress Elizabeth who soon declared him her heir He later became known as Peter III of Russia 7 Adolf Fredrik 1710 1771 kung av Sverige hertig av Holstein Gottorp Antoine Pesne Nationalmuseum 16035 In 1743 Adolf Frederick was elected heir to the throne of Sweden by the Hat faction Swedish Hattarna The Hat faction wanted to obtain better conditions at the Treaty of Abo from Empress Elizabeth of Russia 5 who had adopted his nephew as her heir He succeeded as King Adolf Frederick 8 years later on 25 March 1751 8 During his 20 year reign Adolf Frederick was little more than a figurehead the real power being with the Riksdag of the Estates often distracted by party strife Twice he endeavored to free himself from the tutelage of the estates The first occasion was in 1756 Stimulated by his consort Louisa Ulrika of Prussia sister of Frederick the Great he tried to regain a portion of the attenuated prerogative through the Coup of 1756 to abolish the rule of the Riksdag of the Estates and reinstate absolute monarchy in Sweden He nearly lost his throne in consequence On the second occasion during the December Crisis of 1768 under the guidance of his eldest son Gustav he succeeded in overthrowing the Cap Swedish Mossorna senate but was unable to make any use of his victory 5 9 Death EditAdolf Frederick died suddenly in Stockholm on 12 February 1771 with symptoms resembling either heart failure or poisoning Popular stories about his death having resulted from a large meal consisting of lobster caviar sauerkraut kippers and champagne as well as 14 helpings of his favourite dessert hetvagg of semla pastries and hot milk 10 11 are considered propagandist by modern writers 12 Following his death his son Gustav III seized power in 1772 in a military coup d etat reinstating absolute rule 13 Legacy EditThe King was regarded as dependent on others a weak ruler and lacking of any talents However he was allegedly a good husband a caring father and a gentle master to his servants His favourite pastime was to make snuffboxes which he allegedly spent a great deal of time doing His hospitality and friendliness were witnessed by many who deeply mourned him at his death citation needed Children EditBy his marriage to Princess Louisa Ulrika of Prussia which took place on 18 August 29 August 1744 in Drottningholm he had the following children Stillborn 18 February 1745 in Stockholm Gustav III 1746 1792 Charles XIII 1748 1818 Frederick Adolf 1750 1803 Sofia Albertina 1753 1829 With Jeanne Du Londel he had one son Adolf Fredriksson c 1734 1771 Captain in the Swedish Army 14 With Marguerite Morel he had one son who died as a child Frederici c 1761 1771 15 Adolf Frederick may have been the father of Lolotte Forssberg by Ulla von Liewen but this has however never been confirmed 16 Ancestors EditAncestors of Adolf Frederick of Sweden 17 16 John Adolf Duke of Holstein Gottorp 28 8 Frederick III Duke of Holstein Gottorp 14 17 Augusta of Denmark 29 4 Christian Albert Duke of Holstein Gottorp18 John George I Elector of Saxony 30 9 Marie Elisabeth of Saxony 15 19 Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia 31 2 Christian August of Holstein Gottorp Prince of Eutin20 Christian IV of Denmark10 Frederick III of Denmark21 Anne Catherine of Brandenburg5 Frederikke Amalie of Denmark22 George Duke of Brunswick Luneburg11 Sophie Amalie of Brunswick Luneburg23 Anne Eleonore of Hesse Darmstadt1 Adolf Frederick of Sweden24 Frederick V Margrave of Baden Durlach12 Frederick VI Margrave of Baden Durlach25 Barbara of Wurttemberg6 Frederick VII Margrave of Baden Durlach26 John Casimir Count Palatine of Kleeburg13 Christina Magdalena of the Palatinate Zweibrucken27 Catharina of Sweden3 Albertina Frederica of Baden Durlach28 John Adolf Duke of Holstein Gottorp 16 14 Frederick III Duke of Holstein Gottorp 8 29 Augusta of Denmark 17 7 Augusta Marie of Holstein Gottorp30 John George I Elector of Saxony 18 15 Marie Elisabeth of Saxony 9 31 Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia 19 References Edit L Stavenow Adolf Fredrik Svenskt biografiskt lexikon Retrieved 1 January 2019 Christian August Herzog von Schleswig Holstein Gottorp Christian August Herzog von Holstein Gottorf Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie 1876 p 192 Retrieved 1 January 2019 Adolf Fredrik Nordisk familjebok Retrieved 1 January 2019 a b Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 1 15th ed Encyclopaedia Britannica 1991 p 105 ISBN 9780852295298 a b c One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Adolphus Frederick Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 1 11th ed Cambridge University Press pp 211 212 This cites R Nisbet Bain Gustavus III and his Contemporaries vol i London 1895 Nina Ringbom Kristina Magdalena av Pfalz Zweibrucken historiesajten se Retrieved 1 January 2019 Peter III Saint Petersburg Com Retrieved 1 January 2019 Hattpartiet Hattarna Nordisk familjebok Retrieved 1 January 2019 Mosspartiet Mossorna Nordisk familjebok Retrieved 1 January 2019 The lowdown on Sweden s best buns The Local February 2007 Archived from the original on 16 February 2008 Carlstedt Magnus Hetvagg semlor nu Retrieved 1 January 2019 Such as Claes Rainer 2021 in Sofia Magdalena karlek revolutioner och mord ISBN 9789198624915 pp 152 153 Gustav III January 24 1746 March 29 1792 European Royal History Retrieved 1 January 2019 Rainer Claes 2019 Lovisa Ulrika konst och kuppforsok Stockholm Bokforlaget Langenskiold Gunilla Roempke 1994 Gunilla Roempke ed Vristens makt dansos i matressernas tidevarv The power of the ankle dancer in the epoch of the royal mistresses Stockholm Stockholm Fischer amp company ISBN 91 7054 734 3 af Klercker Cecilia ed Hedvig Elisabeth Charlottas dagbok The diary of Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte in Swedish VI 1797 1799 1927 Translated by Cecilia af Klercker Stockholm P A Norstedt amp Soners forlag pp 290 291 Genealogie ascendante jusqu au quatrieme degre inclusivement de tous les Rois et Princes de maisons souveraines de l Europe actuellement vivans Genealogy up to the fourth degree inclusive of all the Kings and Princes of sovereign houses of Europe currently living in French Bourdeaux Frederic Guillaume Birnstiel 1768 p 28 External links Edit Media related to Adolf Frederick of Sweden at Wikimedia Commons Adolf FredrikHouse of Holstein GottorpCadet branch of the House of OldenburgBorn 14 May 1710 Died 12 February 1771Regnal titlesPreceded byFredrik I King of Sweden1751 1771 Succeeded byGustav IIIPreceded byCharles Augustus of Holstein Gottorp Prince Bishop of Lubeck1727 1750 Succeeded byFrederick August of Oldenburg Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Adolf Frederick of Sweden amp oldid 1138813341, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
