In 1632 at the Battle of Lutzen, Swedish troops were advancing against the forces of the Holy Roman Emperor. But mist and dense smoke were drifting over the battlefield. King Gustavus Adolphus, his bodyguard scattered, was lost, deep behind enemy lines. If you have read “Heroes and Traitors”, this will sound familiar. In real life, alas, the Swedish king was killed.
Why on earth should the world be interested in Gustavus Adolphus Magnus of Sweden? Because he was one of a few men in the early 17th century who had the attitudes of an Enlightenment man. He is best known as a military strategist because his tactics are still studied today, for example, at the West Point Military Academy in the USA. He inherited three wars from his father and finished them all. During his short reign, Swedish territory was considerably expanded. Not all of his tactics were unique, and they did not always overcome opposing forces. Nevertheless, he is known for professionalizing the Swedish army and navy and innovative use of combinations of artillery, cavalry and infantry enabled by cross-training of military units. He instilled discipline and ensured efficient logistics and engineering. He cut bureaucracy in government and the military, which surely indicates rare leadership skills!
There are other aspects of Gustav that 21st century observers might admire. He was happy to have just one daughter as his heir and wanted her to be educated like a prince. He was said to converse with all strata of society, including his troops, in an equal manner. He led them by example, testing cannons and piloting ships. Although he had an impatient temper and preferred action, he did seek opinions, weigh options and in a political sense, ruled by consultation. His 1621 Articles of War ensured reasonable treatment for civilians and their property in military campaigns. Rape was a capital offence. Pillage and destruction were forbidden at a time when pillage and destruction were the normal pay-off for victorious troops.
I have no idea how my sub-conscious wormed the idea of a fantasy hero based on Gustav into my conscious mind, but it happened. GA is recognizable in Yonnis’s uncle Artoris, but he is an inspiration for Yonnis too, and of course, the first scene in the book.
The real Gustavus Adolphus Magnus was born in 1594. When his father died, he was deemed by Swedish law too young to be king, but his constant friend and adviser, Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna, eleven years his senior, brokered a deal whereby he ruled in consultation with the aristocracy, the church and land-holding commoners. His short life was driven by war.
About those three he inherited from his father –
Against Denmark – This was by no means a success, but Sweden’s guerilla tactics ensured that the Danish army did not reach Stockholm. A peace was brokered in 1613.
Against Russia – This war was concluded in 1617 after fierce fighting. Sweden gained territory along the Baltic coast and reparations from the Russians.
Against Poland – This conflict was personal, as the King of Poland was Gustav’s cousin and claimed to be the rightful Swedish king. The war raged on and off for many years. After some territorial gains by Sweden (although not all that Gustav had wanted), a fragile peace was brokered in 1629.
The ink was barely dry on the peace treaty with Poland when, in 1630, Gustav, a devout Lutheran, responded to a plea for help from Protestants on mainland Europe. The Thirty Years War in what we now know as Germany had started in 1618. It was an extremely bloody and destructive religious war. By 1630, the Protestant forces were facing defeat. The revival of their cause is largely attributed to the military success of the Swedish forces, personally led by Gustav. After his death in 1632, Sweden continued to support the German Protestants until the war ended in 1648.
Unfortunately for Gustav, he did not have much time for peace-making between wars. He did not have much time for a personal life either. Unlike Yonnis in “Heroes and Traitors”, Gustav was not allowed to marry his childhood sweetheart. He made a dynastic marriage to a German princess, Maria Eleonora, who loved him obsessively. She had frail mental health, not helped by miscarriages and a stillborn son. Maria was overwhelmed by grief after Gustav’s death and did not recover. She was not allowed to serve as regent. Gustav’s one surviving daughter eventually became queen but abdicated in 1654.
Gustavus Adolphus Magnus of Sweden had an extraordinary life. He would not have been able to achieve much without the support of Oxenstierna, but he seems to have been aware of his debt to his advisors, unlike some kings of the time. He worked hard for his country and his faith. He had some humanist values which we can appreciate today. He was much-admired in his time, but the starlight has dimmed. However, many historians are starting to realize that there is powerful, interesting learning to be had from the 17th century, and Gustav is one figure from the time who deserves to have much more credit for his contribution to modernizing Europe.
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Photo: Detail from Moving Circle, by Petr Hora. Currently on show at the Achilles-Stiftung Glasmuseum in Hamburg, Germany.
