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316 A History of Sweden
saddle and finally fell backward to the ground. In a
short time life ebbed away. The autopsy indicated that
death had resulted from a stroke.
The Murder of Axel von Fersen. Insinuations that
the prince had been poisoned quickly spread, and bitter
slander fixed upon the family of Axel von Fersen as
the younger instigators of the assumed crime. The
leaders of the revolution must bear a heavy responsi-
bility for the rapid spread of these reports. They feared
that the Gustavians would now attempt to force the
election of their candidate, overturn the revolution of
1809, and avenge themselves upon the authors of the
same. Hence, they encouraged the embitterment of the
people against the leaders of the Gustavians.
The day arrived when the body of the prince was to
be conveyed to the palace in Stockholm. In the capacity
of high steward Axel von Fersen, son of the noted
leader of the party, took part in the procession, riding
in his stately carriage. He was rich, aristocratic, and
haughty. Against him it was easy to incite the masses.
If he could be made harmless the whole Gustavian par-
ty would be helpless. He was attacked with stones by
a wild, enraged mob and had to seek shelter in a pri-
vate house, but the mob seized him and beat him till
the last spark of life was gone. The violence continued
a whole hour, in broad daylight, in the capital city,
within sight of the troops, and almost within their
lines.
Bernadotte, the New Crown Prince. After the death
of Charles August a new heir to the throne had to be
chosen. As such the Estates finally selected one of
Napoleon’s most noted generals, Marshal Bernadotte.
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