Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XII. Reign of Charles XI, 1660–1697 - A. Period of the Regency, 1660–1672 - B. Personal Rule of Charles XI, 1672–1697
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Reign of Charles XI 197
Redeeming Features. The Regency has, however,
some good to its credit. It did much for the nationali-
zation of the newly acquired provinces, among other
things the founding of the University of Lund (1668).
During this time, too, the Swedish National Bank
(Sveriges riksbank) was founded, which the Estates
took over. In time it became highly serviceable to in-
dustries by aiding new enterprises with loans.
B. THE PERSONAL RULE OF CHARLES XI, 1672-1697
His Education and Character. At the age of seven-
teen Charles XI was declared of age at a Riksdag in
Stockholm, 1672. At this time he was a young sports-
man, whose chief delights were wild rides, hunting,
and military exploits.
His education had been sadly neglected, another in-
stance of the carelessness of the regency. He had not
acquired the knowledge necessary for the government
of a kingdom, and what was worse, he had not learned
to govern himself. It is true he was justly praised for
moral uprightness, justice, and love of truth; but he
might become perfectly beside himself with anger. At
military drill, for instance, one might see him strike
officers about the ears with the flat of his sword.
The War with Denmark. When Christian V of Den-
mark learned the unfortunate condition of Sweden, he
declared war in 1675, hoping to regain what his coun-
try had lost to Sweden. Denmark’s domestic affairs
were greatly improved since the days of Charles X.
The indifference of the nobles to their country during
the last three wars with Sweden had aroused a fierce
rage among the unprivileged classes against those "in-
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