Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adolf Frederick |
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Portrait by Gustaf Lundberg
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| King of Sweden | |
| Reign | 25 March 1751 – 12 February 1771 |
| Coronation | 26 November 1751 |
| Predecessor | Frederick I |
| Successor | Gustav III |
| Prince-Bishop of Lübeck | |
| Reign | 1727 – 1750 |
| Predecessor | Charles August |
| Successor | Frederick August |
| Born | 14 May 1710 Gottorp, Schleswig, Duchy of Schleswig |
| Died | 12 February 1771 (aged 60) Stockholm Palace, Stockholm, Sweden |
| Burial | 30 July 1771 Riddarholm Church |
| Spouse |
Louisa Ulrika of Prussia
(m. 1744) |
| Issue | Gustav III, King of Sweden Charles XIII, King of Sweden Frederick Adolf, Duke of Östergötland Sophia Albertina, Abbess of Quedlinburg |
| House | Holstein-Gottorp |
| Father | Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin |
| Mother | Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach |
| Religion | Lutheran |
Adolf Frederick (born 14 May 1710, died 12 February 1771) was the King of Sweden from 1751 until his death. He was chosen to be king by the Swedish parliament, known as the Riksdag. His rule happened during a time in Sweden called the Age of Liberty, when the parliament had more power than the king.
Adolf Frederick was born in Gottorp, which is now part of Germany. His parents were Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin, and Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach. Before becoming king, he was a prince-bishop in a place called Lübeck.
Contents
Becoming King of Sweden
Adolf Frederick was not the direct heir to the Swedish throne. After the death of King Charles XII in 1718, Sweden's parliament gained a lot of power. They decided who would be the next king.
The Election of 1743
In 1743, Sweden was involved in a war with Russia. To make peace, Russia suggested that Adolf Frederick become the next king of Sweden. The Swedish Riksdag agreed to this. He was chosen because he was related to the Swedish royal family through his grandmother.
From Prince-Bishop to Crown Prince
Before becoming king, Adolf Frederick served as the Prince-Bishop of Lübeck. This was an important religious and political role. In 1744, he married Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, who was the sister of Frederick the Great, the King of Prussia.
His Time as King (1751-1771)
Adolf Frederick became King of Sweden on 25 March 1751. His coronation, a special ceremony where he officially became king, took place on 26 November 1751.
The Age of Liberty
During Adolf Frederick's reign, Sweden was in a period known as the Age of Liberty. This meant that the Riksdag held most of the power, not the king. The Riksdag was made up of four groups: nobles, clergy, burghers (townspeople), and peasants.
Limited Royal Power
Adolf Frederick tried to gain more power for himself, but he was mostly a figurehead. This means he was the official head of the country, but the Riksdag made most of the important decisions. He often found himself in arguments with the powerful political parties of the time.
Family Life
Adolf Frederick and Queen Louisa Ulrika had several children:
- Gustav III, King of Sweden
- Charles XIII, King of Sweden
- Frederick Adolf, Duke of Östergötland
- Sophia Albertina, Abbess of Quedlinburg
Their eldest son, Gustav, would later become King Gustav III. He would bring an end to the Age of Liberty and restore more power to the monarchy.
Death and Legacy
Adolf Frederick died on 12 February 1771 at Stockholm Palace. He was buried in Riddarholmen Church in Stockholm. Even though he had limited power, his reign was a time of peace for Sweden. He is remembered as a kind and well-meaning ruler.
Images for kids
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Portrait by Gustaf Lundberg
See also
In Spanish: Adolfo Federico de Suecia para niños
