Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XV. Reign of Adolph Frederick, 1751–1771 - A. Attempted Coup d’Etat by the Court - B. Sweden’s Participation in the Seven Years’ War
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Sweden in the Seven Years’ War 271
notify his lieutenant, who was a zealous partisan of
the Hats, and who at once informed Axel von Fersen.
Axel von Fersen gathered the trustiest officers and
other members of the Hat party. Guards were sta-
tioned at important places, the leaders of the plot were
arrested, and the premature attempt at revolution was
easily put down. Of those who had been leaders no
fewer than eight were condemned to death and were
beheaded in front of Riddarholm Church. Never since
the Massacre of Linkoping, in 1600, had Sweden wit-
nessed such a scene.
The Estates knew how to reach the root of the at-
tempted revolution. They charged the clergy, not as
an estate of the realm, but as spiritual leaders, to ad-
minister to the queen a sharp correction. The arch-
bishop and another bishop repaired to Ulriksdal and
laid before the queen a written admonition and warn-
ing signed by all the members of the spiritual Estate.
As to the king, his own crown was at stake. But the
Estates were content with sending him, too, in writing,
a sharp warning.
During the Eiksdag of 1755-56 the king had lost the
last remnant of his power. The premature attempt at
revolution had in no wise shaken the power of the
Hats. But for their own errors the party was some day
doomed to fall.
B. SWEDEN’S PART IN THE SEVEN YEARS’ WAR
Motives for Participation. In 1756, the year of the at-
tempted revolution, there broke out a great European
war, known as the Seven Years’ War. Half of Europe
was arrayed against Frederick II of Prussia. Among
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