Charles XIV John of Sweden Bernadotte 1 2 3 4
- Born: 26 Jan 1763, Pau, Béarn, Navarre [France]
- Marriage: Bernhardine Eugenie Desirée Clary on 17 Aug 1798 in Sceaux
- Died: 8 Mar 1844, Stockholm, Sweden aged 81
- Buried: Riddarholmskyrkan, Stockholm, Sweden
Other names for Charles were Carl III Johan, Carl XIV Johan and Charles III of Norway.
General Notes:
Charles XIV John, original name Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte. One of Napoleon Bonaparte's Generals who was formally adopted as a son by King Charles XIII so he could take the throne of Sweden.
Bernadotte was born in Pau, France, and fought in the French Revolution. In 1804, Napoleon gave Bernadotte the rank of marshal and later bestowed the rank of general upon him. Bernadotte distinguished himself in the victory of Austerlitz, Austria, in 1805, for which he was created prince of Pontecorvo. He was also successful in the (1806-7) campaign against the Prussians. In 1810 he was chosen by the Riksdag, the Swedish legislature, to succeed King Charles XIII, who had no heirs. Bernadotte agreed to become a Protestant, changed his name to Charles John, and soon began to exercise many royal functions. As crown prince he resisted Napoleon's efforts to involve Sweden in his designs against Great Britain. In fact, Sweden was soon engaged in war with France, and Charles contributed to the victory over the French at Leipzig in 1813. He forced Denmark in the Treaty of Kiel to cede Norway, and in 1814 subjugated Norway. The reign of Charles XIV John was prosperous and peaceful. He founded the modern Swedish royal house of Bernadotte, and he was succeeded by his son Oscar I.
A French Revolutionary general. He served under Napoleon in Italy (1796-97), was French ambassador at Vienna (1798), and was minister of war (1799). In 1810 the aging and childless Charles XIII of Sweden adopted him, and he was elected crown prince by the Riksdag. He allied Sweden with England and Russia against Napoleon I and took part in his defeat at Leipzig (1813). In 1814 he forced Denmark to cede Norway, which was united with Sweden under a single king. He succeeded to the throne in 1818, having held the reins of government since 1810. His son, Oscar I, succeeded him.
Noted events in his life were:
• Acceded: King of Sweden & Norway, 5 Feb 1818.
Charles married Bernhardine Eugenie Desirée Clary, daughter of Franz Clary and Françoise Rose Somis, on 17 Aug 1798 in Sceaux. (Bernhardine Eugenie Desirée Clary was born on 9 Nov 1777 in Marseilles, France and died on 17 Dec 1860 in Stockholm, Sweden.)
Marriage Notes:
They had only one child, Oscar. 4
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