Charles XI (1655-1697), king of Sweden, succeeded his father, Charles X, in 1660. Because Charles was only 4 years old when he became king, Sweden was governed for him by a council of nobles until 1672. From 1674 to 1679, Charles fought a costly and inconclusive war against Prussia and Denmark. After that, he pursued a peaceful foreign policy and attended to Sweden’s long-standing economic and social problems. With the support of Sweden’s parliament, Charles reduced the power of the nobility and was made an absolute monarch. He introduced a program called the Reduction to reclaim land that had been given to nobles in return for service to the state. The Reduction greatly increased the wealth of the state and provided funds for reform of the army. Charles was an energetic and dedicated king who left a well-run state and a full treasury when he died on April 5, 1697. He was born on Nov. 24, 1655, in Stockholm.
