Editing Adolf Frederick of Sweden

{{Short description|King of Sweden from 1751 to 1771}}
{{redirect|Adolf Frederick}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2007}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name      = Adolf Frederick
| succession   = [[List of Swedish monarchs|King of Sweden]]
| image      = Gustaf Lundberg - Portrait of Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden - WGA13779.jpg
| caption     = Portrait of Adolf Frederick by [[Gustaf Lundberg]], {{circa|1750}}.
| reign      = 25 March 1751{{snd}}12 February 1771
| coronation   = 26 November 1751
| full name    =
| predecessor   = [[Frederick I of Sweden|Frederick I]]
| successor    = [[Gustav III]]
| succession1   = [[Prince-bishopric of Lübeck|Prince-Bishop of Lübeck]]
| reign1      = 1727{{snd}}1750
| predecessor1   = [[List of bishops, prince-bishops and administrators of Lübeck|Charles August]]
| successor1    = [[Frederick August I, Duke of Oldenburg|Frederick August]]
| spouse     = {{marriage|[[Louisa Ulrika of Prussia]]|1744}}
| issue      = [[Gustav III|Gustav III of Sweden]]<br/>[[Charles XIII|Charles XIII of Sweden]]<br/>[[Prince Frederick Adolf, Duke of Östergötland]]<br/>[[Sophia Albertina, Abbess of Quedlinburg]]
| religion    = [[Lutheranism]]
| house      = [[House of Holstein-Gottorp (Swedish line)|Holstein-Gottorp]]
| father     = [[Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin]]
| mother     = [[Princess Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach]]
| birth_date   = 14 May 1710
| birth_place   = [[Gottorp]], [[Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein|Schleswig]], [[Schleswig|Duchy of Schleswig]]
| death_date   = {{Death date and age|1771|2|12|1710|5|14|df=yes}}
| death_place   = [[Stockholm Palace]], [[Stockholm]], Sweden
| date of burial = 30 July 1771
| place of burial = [[Riddarholm Church]], Stockholm, Sweden
| signature       = Signature of Adolf Frederick of Sweden.svg
}}

'''Adolf''' (or '''Adolph''') '''Frederick''' ({{langx|sv|Adolf Fredrik}}; {{langx|de|Adolf Friedrich}}; 14 May 1710{{snd}}12 February 1771) was [[List of Swedish monarchs|King of Sweden]] from 1751 until his death in 1771. He was the son of [[Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin]], and [[Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach]]. He was an uncle of [[Catherine the Great]] and husband to [[Louisa Ulrika of Prussia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=5574 |title=Adolf Fredrik|publisher=Svenskt biografiskt lexikon  
|author=  L. Stavenow |access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://de.wikisource.org/wiki/ADB:Christian_August_(Herzog_von_Holstein-Gottorf) |title= Christian August (Herzog von Holstein-Gottorf)|chapter= Christian August, Herzog von Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp|series= Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie|year= 1876|page= 192|publisher= Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie |access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref>

The first king from the [[House of Holstein-Gottorp (Swedish line)|House of Holstein-Gottorp]], Adolf Frederick was a weak monarch, installed as first in line to the throne following the parliamentary government's [[Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743)|failure to reconquer the Baltic provinces]] in 1741–1743. Aside from a few attempts, supported by pro-[[absolute monarchy|absolutist]] factions among the nobility, to reclaim the absolute monarchy held by previous monarchs, he remained a mere constitutional figurehead until his death.

His reign saw an extended period of internal peace. However, the finances stagnated following failed [[Mercantilism|mercantilist]] doctrines pursued by the [[Hats (party)|Hat]] administration. The Hat administration ended during the 1765–1766 parliament, where the [[Caps (party)|Cap]] opposition took over the government and enacted reforms towards greater [[economic liberalism]], as well as a [[Freedom of the Press Act (1766)|Freedom of Press Act]]. The Freedom of Press Act is unique for the time for its curtailing of all censorship, retaining punitive measures only for libeling the monarch or the [[Church of Sweden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://runeberg.org/nfba/0106.html|title=Adolf Fredrik|publisher=Nordisk familjebok
|access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref>

==Parents==
[[File:Christian August & Albertina Frederica of Holstein-Gottorp (painted portrait).jpg|thumb|left|Adolf Frederick's parents, Christian August and Albertina Frederica of Holstein-Gottorp]]
Adolf Frederick's father was [[Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin|Christian Augustus]] (1673&ndash;1726)<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |year=1991 |isbn=9780852295298 |edition=15th |volume=1 |page=105 |language=en}}</ref> duke and a younger prince of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp, [[prince-bishop]] of Lübeck, and administrator, during the [[Great Northern War]], of the duchies of [[Dukes of Holstein-Gottorp|Holstein-Gottorp]] for his relative [[Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp|Charles Frederick]].<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=1|wstitle=Adolphus Frederick|volume=1|pages=211-212}} This cites:
* [[Robert Nisbet Bain|R. Nisbet Bain]], ''Gustavus III. and his Contemporaries'', vol. i. (London, 1895).</ref>

His mother, [[Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach]] (1682–1755),<ref name=":0" /> was a descendant of earlier royal dynasties of Sweden, great-granddaughter of [[Catherine of Sweden, Countess Palatine of Kleeburg|Princess Catherine of Sweden]], mother of King [[Charles X of Sweden]]. On his mother's side, Adolf Frederick was also descended from King [[Gustav I of Sweden|Gustav Vasa]] through [[Christina Magdalena of Pfalz-Zweibrücken|Christina Magdalena]], a sister of Charles X of Sweden.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://historiesajten.se/visainfo.asp?id=414|title= Kristina Magdalena av Pfalz-Zweibrücken|publisher= historiesajten.se |author= Nina Ringbom |access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref>

==Years in Holstein==
From 1727 to 1750 Prince Adolf Frederick was the [[prince-bishop]] of [[Prince-bishopric of Lübeck|Lübeck]]. This meant he ruled a fief around and including [[Eutin]]. After his first cousin, [[Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp]], died in 1739, Adolf Frederick became the administrator of Holstein-[[Kiel]] during the minority of the duke's orphan son, Charles Peter Ulrich. Shortly afterward, the young boy was invited to Russia by his maternal aunt, Empress [[Elizabeth of Russia|Elizabeth]], who soon declared him her heir. He later became known as [[Peter III of Russia]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.saint-petersburg.com/royal-family/peter-iii/|title= Peter III |publisher= Saint-Petersburg.Com
|access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref>

==King of Sweden==
[[File:Adolf Fredrik, 1710-1771, kung av Sverige, hertig av Holstein-Gottorp (Antoine Pesne) - Nationalmuseum - 16035.tif|thumb|left|Portrait of Adolf Fredrick as heir to the throne of Sweden by [[Antoine Pesne]], {{circa|1743}}.]]
In 1743, Adolf Frederick was elected heir to the throne of Sweden by the [[Hats (party)|Hat faction]] (Swedish: ''Hattarna''). The Hat faction wanted to obtain better conditions at the [[Treaty of Åbo]] from Empress Elizabeth.<ref name="EB1911"/>

[[File:Adolph Frederick coronation medal 1751.jpg|thumb|left|Coronation medal of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden from 1751.]]
[[File:Adolf Fredrik by Lorens Pasch d.y. - no frame (Nationalmuseum, 15309).png|thumb|Portrait of Adolf Frederick wearing his coronation robes, on the left the [[Regalia of Sweden|regalia]] is visible and on the right the [[Silver Throne]]. Portrait by [[Lorens Pasch the Younger]].]]

Upon the death of King [[Frederick I of Sweden]] on 25 March 1751, Adolf Frederick succeeded to the Swedish throne.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://runeberg.org/nfbk/0057.html|title= Hattpartiet, Hattarna|publisher= 	Nordisk familjebok|access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref> His [[Coronation of the Swedish monarch|coronation]] was celebrated on 26 November 1751 in the [[Stockholm Cathedral]].

During his 20-year reign, Adolf Frederick was little more than a [[figurehead]], the real power being with the [[Riksdag of the Estates]], often distracted by party strife. Twice he endeavored to free himself from the tutelage of the estates. The first occasion was in 1756. Stimulated by his consort [[Louisa Ulrika of Prussia]] (sister of [[Frederick the Great]]), he tried to regain a portion of the attenuated prerogative through the [[Coup of 1756]] to abolish the rule of the Riksdag of the Estates and reinstate absolute monarchy in Sweden. He nearly lost his throne in consequence. On the second occasion during the [[December Crisis (1768)|December Crisis of 1768]], under the guidance of his eldest son, [[Gustav III|Gustav]], he succeeded in overthrowing the "Cap" (Swedish: ''Mössorna'') senate, but was unable to make any use of his victory.<ref name="EB1911"/><ref>{{cite web|url= https://runeberg.org/nfbs/0211.html|title= Mösspartiet, Mössorna |publisher= Nordisk familjebok |access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref>

==Death==
Adolf Frederick died suddenly in Stockholm on 12 February 1771 with symptoms resembling either heart failure or poisoning. Popular stories about his death having resulted from a large meal (consisting of [[lobster]], [[caviar]], [[sauerkraut]], [[kipper]]s, and [[champagne]] as well as 14 helpings of his favourite dessert {{lang|sv|hetvägg}} of [[semla]] pastries and hot milk)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocal.se/6470/20070220/ |title=The lowdown on Sweden's best buns |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216203516/http://www.thelocal.se/6470/20070220/ |archive-date=16 February 2008 |website=The Local |date=February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.semlor.nu/hetvagg-1340175 |title=Hetvägg |publisher=semlor.nu |first=Magnus |last=Carlstedt |access-date=1 January 2019 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803183236/http://www.semlor.nu/hetvagg-1340175 |url-status=dead }}</ref> are considered propaganda by modern writers.<ref>Such as Claes Rainer 2021 in ''Sofia Magdalena : kärlek, revolutioner och mord'' ISBN 9789198624915 pp. 152-153</ref>

Following his death, his son [[Gustav III]] seized power in 1772 in [[Revolution of 1772|a military coup d'état]], reinstating absolute rule.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://europeanroyalhistory.wordpress.com/tag/gustav-iii-of-sweden/ |title=Gustav III (January 24, 1746 – March 29, 1792) |publisher=European Royal History |access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The King was regarded as dependent on others, a weak ruler, and lacking of any talents as a statesman. However, he was allegedly a good husband, a caring father, and a gentle master to his servants. He was scientifically talented and especially interested in astronomy. He also had talent in military matters and in music. His favourite pastime was woodworking, especially to make [[snuffbox]]es, which he reportedly spent a great deal of time doing. His hospitality and friendliness were witnessed by many who deeply mourned him at his death.<ref>[http://libris.kb.se/bib/78488 Book] listed at [[LIBRIS]] p. 209</ref>

==Children==
[[File:Adolph Frederick & Louise Ulrica medal 1762.jpg|thumb|150px|Medal of the king and queen 1762]]
By his marriage to Princess [[Louisa Ulrika of Prussia]] (which took place on 18 August/29 August 1744 in [[Drottningholm]]), he had five children:

# (Stillborn) (18 February 1745 in [[Stockholm]])
# [[Gustav III]] (1746–1792)
# [[Charles XIII]] (1748–1818)
# [[Prince Frederick Adolf, Duke of Östergötland|Frederick Adolf]] (1750–1803)
# [[Sophia Albertina, Abbess of Quedlinburg|Sofia Albertina]] (1753–1829)

With [[Jeanne Du Londel]] he had one son:

# Adolf Fredriksson (c. 1734-1771), Captain in the Swedish Army.<ref>Rainer, Claes (2019). Lovisa Ulrika: konst och kuppförsök. Stockholm: Bokförlaget Langenskiöld</ref>

With [[Marguerite Morel]] he had one son who died as a child: 
# Frederici (c. 1761 - 1771)<ref>Gunilla Roempke (1994). Gunilla Roempke. ed. Vristens makt – dansös i mätressernas tidevarv (The power of the ankle - dancer in the epoch of the royal mistresses) Stockholm: Stockholm Fischer & company. {{ISBN|91-7054-734-3}}</ref>

Adolf Frederick may have been the father of [[Lolotte Forssberg]] by [[Ulla von Liewen]], but this has never been confirmed.<ref>af Klercker, Cecilia, ed. Hedvig Elisabeth Charlottas dagbok [The diary of Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte] (in Swedish). VI 1797-1799. (1927) Translated by Cecilia af Klercker. Stockholm: P.A. Norstedt & Söners förlag. pp. 290–291</ref>

==Ancestors==
{{ahnentafel
|align=center
|collapsed=yes |ref=<ref>{{cite book|title=Genealogie ascendante jusqu'au quatrieme degre inclusivement de tous les Rois et Princes de maisons souveraines de l'Europe actuellement vivans| trans-title=Genealogy up to the fourth degree inclusive of all the Kings and Princes of sovereign houses of Europe currently living |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AINPAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA28|year=1768|publisher=Frederic Guillaume Birnstiel|location=Bourdeaux|language=fr|page=28}}</ref>
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|1= 1. '''Adolf Frederick of Sweden'''
|2= 2. [[Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin]]
|3= 3. [[Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach]]
|4= 4. [[Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp]]
|5= 5. [[Frederikke Amalie of Denmark]]
|6= 6. [[Frederick VII, Margrave of Baden-Durlach]]
|7= 7. [[Augusta Marie of Holstein-Gottorp]]
|8= 8. [[Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp]] (=14)
|9= 9. [[Marie Elisabeth of Saxony]] (=15)
|10= 10. [[Frederick III of Denmark]]
|11= 11. [[Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg]]
|12= 12. [[Frederick VI, Margrave of Baden-Durlach]]
|13= 13. [[Christina Magdalena of the Palatinate-Zweibrücken]]
|14= 14. [[Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp]] (=8)
|15= 15. [[Marie Elisabeth of Saxony]] (=9)
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Clear}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[House of Holstein-Gottorp (Swedish line)|House of Holstein-Gottorp]]|14 May|1710|12 February|1771|[[House of Oldenburg]]|name=Adolf Fredrik}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Frederick I of Sweden|Fredrik I]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Swedish monarchs|King of Sweden]]|years=1751–1771}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Gustav III]]}}
{{s-bef|before=Charles Augustus of Holstein-Gottorp}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prince-Bishopric of Lübeck|Prince-Bishop of Lübeck]]|years=1727–1750}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Frederick August I, Duke of Oldenburg|Frederick August of Oldenburg]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Monarchs of Sweden}}
{{Swedish princes}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adolf Frederick Of Sweden}}
[[Category:1710 births]]
[[Category:1771 deaths]]
[[Category:18th-century Swedish monarchs]]
[[Category:People from Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein]]
[[Category:House of Holstein-Gottorp]]
[[Category:Swedish monarchs of German descent]]
[[Category:People from the Duchy of Schleswig]]
[[Category:Burials at Riddarholmen Church]]
[[Category:Lutheran prince-bishops of Lübeck]]
[[Category:Age of Liberty people]]
[[Category:Crown princes of Sweden]]