User:Gvssy/Coup against the Holstein Party

Coup against the Holstein Party
Part of Great Northern War
Oil painting of Görtz by Lukas von Breda
Date 1718 Location Sweden Result Revolutionary victory
Belligerents
Holstein Party	Swedish Empire
Commanders and leaders
Georg Heinrich von Görtz	Frederick I Ulrika Eleonora Adjutant General Sicre
Units involved
Unknown	Swedish Army
Strength
Placeholder	Placeholder
Casualties and losses
Placeholder	Placeholder

The Coup against the Holstein Party or the Coup against the Holsteiners (Swedish: Kuppen mot Holsteinarna) was a coup against the Holsteinian councillor of the then passed Charles XII, Georg Heinrich von Görtz.

Background

Charles XII

King Charles XII of Sweden by Michael Dahl

Sweden in 1718

Further information: Great Northern War

In 1718, Sweden had been brought to the brink of collapse, it was at war with Russia, Prussia, Denmark, the Commonwealth, and the United Kingdom. Swedish territory held outside of Sweden proper had also been lost, including Finland, Ingria, Estonia, Livonia, Pomerania, Wismar, Verden, and Bremen. The Swedish industry and trade was paralyzed, and the population suffered through poverty.

Charles XII's Norwegian campaign

Due to the severe situation in Sweden, Charles XII returned to Sweden and attemped to rally the remains of the Swedish army. Once a new army was established, he marched towards Norway. A smaller force under the command of Carl Gustaf Armfeldt went across the northern border while Charles and the main part of the army went towards Fredriksten, which was the main fortress protecting Norway. Once he reached it, Charles quickly began operations around it, his plan was to capture it and then go on to subjugate all of Norway.

Lithography of Charles XII of Sweden's death.

Death of Charles XII

In the evening of 30 November, Charles entered a sap trench between Gyldenløwe and Fredriksten, according to his plan, he ordered the breastwork to be breached there, troops with fascines, picks, and shovels marched forwards, and a new trench was dug. Torches illuminated the fortress that evening, and guards could be seen pacing the ramparts. Flares föew through the air, and shots were fired from both cannons and muskets. Charles climbed onto the inner slope of the old trench, and inspected the construction of the new trench and observed what was happening in the fortress. However, on 9 o'clock in the evening, the king was suddenly shot in the head, and died instantly.

Coup

Less than 24 hours after Charles' death, Görtz arrived to Tanums rectory in Bohuslän with the intention to have a meeting with the then already dead king.