Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XVIII. Reign of Chales XIII, 1809–1818 - B. The Election of a Crown Prince
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Christian August Elected, Crown Prince 315
Charles XIII.
But he was old and fee-
ble and had no heirs.
Hence, a crown prince
had to be elected. The
leaders of the late revo-
lution chose Christian
August of the Augus-
tenburg Family, who as
general of the Norwe-
gian army had proved
himself friendly to the
Swedes.
The new heir to the
throne, who assumed
the name of Charles
August, soon won the
good will of the people by his frank and artless con-
duct. But the court and a large part of the higher
nobility, who were adherents of the old royal family,
known as Gustavians, would have nothing to do with
him. They wanted the son of Gustavus IV Adolphus
as heir to the throne. Those elegant men of the world
and grand society dames made pointed remarks about
the awkward and clumsy manners of the new heir, and
some, especially the members of the haughty family
of Von Fersen, showed him open disrespect.
The hopes which most of the people entertained re-
specting Charles August were soon blighted. One day
in the spring of 1810, while at Quidinge, east of Hel-
singborg, reviewing the drill of the hussars, he was
seen suddenly to lose control of his horse, which now
ran off at full speed. The prince began to sway in the
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