Editing Charles XI of Sweden (section)

==Scanian War==
{{Main|Scanian War}}
[[Image:Karl_XI,_1655-1697,_konung_av_Sverige_(David_Klöcker_Ehrenstrahl)_-_Nationalmuseum_-_15129.tif|left|thumb|Charles XI at the [[Battle of Lund]] in 1676. Painting by [[David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl]] in 1682.]]
The situation in Europe was shaky during this time and Sweden was going through financial problems. Charles XI's guardians decided to negotiate an alliance with France in 1671. This would ensure that Sweden would not be isolated if there was a war, and that the national finances would improve thanks to French [[subsidy|subsidies]].<ref>Åberg (1959) pp. 50–53</ref> France directed its aggression against the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] in 1672, and by the spring of 1674, Sweden was forced to take part by directing forces towards [[Brandenburg]], under the lead of [[Karl Gustav Wrangel]].<ref>Åberg, p. 66</ref>

[[Denmark]] was an ally of the [[Habsburg]] [[Holy Roman Empire]], and it was evident that Sweden was on the verge of yet another war with that country. A remedy was attempted by chancellor Per Brahe, who traveled to Copenhagen in the spring of 1675 to try to get the Danish princess [[Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark]] engaged to the Swedish king. In mid-June 1675, the engagement was officially proclaimed. However, when news arrived of the Swedish defeat at the [[Battle of Fehrbellin]], Danish king [[Christian V]] declared war on Sweden that September.<ref>Åberg (1958), pp. 71–72</ref>

The [[Privy Council of Sweden|Swedish Privy Council]] continued its internal feuds, and the king was forced to rule without them.<ref>Åberg (1958), pp. 72–74</ref>
The 20-year-old king was inexperienced and considered ill-served amidst what has been called the [[anarchy]] in the nation. He dedicated autumn in his newly formed camp in [[Skåne|Scania]] to arm the Swedish nation for battle in the [[Scanian War]]. The Swedish soldiers in Scania were outnumbered and out-equipped by the Danes. In May 1676, they invaded Scania, taking [[Landskrona]] and [[Helsingborg]], then proceeding through [[Bohuslän]] towards [[Halmstad]]. The King had to grow up quickly. He suddenly found himself alone and under great pressure.<ref name=enc1911>{{harvnb|Bain|1911b}}</ref><ref>Åberg (1958), pp. 75–76</ref>

Victory at the [[Battle of Halmstad]] (17 August 1676), when Charles and his [[commander-in-chief]] [[Simon Grundel-Helmfelt]] defeated a Danish division, was the king's first glimmer of good luck. Charles continued south through Scania, arriving on the [[Plateaus|tableland]] of the flooded [[Kävlinge River]]&nbsp;– near [[Lund]]&nbsp;– on 11 November. The Danish army commanded by Christian V was positioned on the other side. It was impossible to cross the river and Charles had to wait for weeks until it froze over. This finally happened on 4 December and Charles launched a surprise attack on the Danish forces to fight the [[Battle of Lund]].<ref name=enc1911/> This was one of the bloodiest engagements of its time. Of the over 20,000 combatants, about 8,000 perished on the battlefield.<ref name=enc1911/><ref>Åberg (1958), pp. 77–79</ref><ref>Rystad (2003), p. 95, estimates that 8,000–9,000 men fell out of 20,000</ref> All the Swedish commanders showed ability, but the chief glory of the day was attributed to Charles XI and his fighting spirit. The battle proved to be a decisive one for the rule of the [[Skåneland|Scanian lands]] and it has been described as the most significant event for Charles' personality. Charles commemorated this date the rest of his life.<ref>Åberg (1958) p. 81</ref><ref>Rystad (2003) p. 97</ref>

In the following year, 13,000 men led by Charles routed 12,000 Danes at the [[Battle of Landskrona]]. This proved to be the last [[pitched battle]] of the war since, in September 1678, Christian V evacuated his army back to [[Zealand (Denmark)|Zealand]]. In 1679, [[Louis XIV of France]] dictated the terms of a general pacification, and Charles XI, who is said to have bitterly resented "the insufferable tutelage" of the French king, was forced at last to acquiesce to a peace that managed to leave his [[Swedish empire|empire]] practically intact.<ref name=enc1911/> Peace was made with Denmark in the treaties of [[Treaty of Fontainebleau (1679)|Fontainebleau (1679)]] and [[Treaty of Lund|Lund]], and with [[Electorate of Brandenburg|Brandenburg]] in the [[Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1679)]].{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}