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CHAPTER XVII

The Age of Charles XII. of Sweden, and Peter the Great of Russia. THOUGH we have confined our attention to the wars which occupied the south and west of Europe at the latter end of the 17th century, we must not overlook the events which took place in the north and east, through the rivalry and ambition of two of the most extraordinary characters that ever wielded the weapons of war, or controlled the fate of empires: these men were Charles XII. of Sweden and Peter the Great of Russia.

It is here necessary to retrace our steps for a few years. In 1661 the people of Denmark, disgusted with the tyranny of their nobles, solemnly surrendered their liberties to the king; and Frederic, almost without any effort of his own, became an absolute monarch. His successor, Christian V., made war on Charles XI. of Sweden, who defended himself with great ability, and dying in 1697, left his crown to his son, the valiant and enterprising Charles XII.