History of Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden

Adolf Frederick, born on May 14, 1710, and deceased on February 12, 1771, served as King of Sweden from 1751 until his death in 1771. Despite being a figurehead in what many historians describe as the Age of Liberty in Swedish history, Adolf Frederick's reign marks a significant period of transformation and political evolution in Sweden.

The Age of Liberty (1718–1772) was characterized by a significant reduction in monarchical power and a concurrent increase in the influence of the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag), a legacy of the 1719 and 1720 constitutional reforms. These reforms followed Sweden's defeat in the Great Northern War and the death of the warrior king Charles XII. During this era, the Swedish monarchy was effectively stripped of its autocratic authority as the Riksdag took on the central role in political decision-making. Within this context of parliamentary ascendency, Adolf Frederick's role as king was primarily ceremonial.

Adolf Frederick was born into the nobility as a member of the House of Holstein-Gottorp. His marriage to Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, sister to Frederick the Great, was indicative of his close ties to the powerful and influential Prussian court. His ascension to the Swedish throne was orchestrated by the dominant parliamentary faction of the era—the Hats (Hattar). Named for the headgear associated with the French court and symbolizing their pro-French, anti-Russian diplomatic stance, the Hats envisioned Adolf Frederick as a compliant monarch whose influence could be contained.

Adolf Frederick's reign was, however, marked by political maneuvering and factional turbulence within the Swedish Riksdag. Throughout the 18th century, the Riksdag was dominated by two main parties: the Hats and the Caps (Mössor). The Caps, more inclined towards pacifism and alliances with Russia, found themselves frequently at odds with the war-mongering and economically ambitious Hats.

The king's personal powers were significantly constrained by the 1720 Instrument of Government, which only gave the monarch nominal authority over state affairs. Adolf Frederick's frequent public clashes with the Riksdag mostly centered on his attempts, often unsuccessful, to reclaim some form of monarchical influence. One of the most telling incidents highlighting his restricted power was the widespread corruption and inefficiency in the Hats government, which culminated in the Cap-dominated Riksdag of 1765-1766.

During this period, Adolf Frederick attempted to assert more influence, partially motivated by his wife Louisa Ulrika, who had significant political ambitions of her own. Throughout his reign, the queen consort was a forceful advocate for monarchical power, often orchestrating plans to extend her husband's—and by extension her own—influence. Her influence was notably evident during the Coup of 1756. This attempted coup aimed to restore monarchical power but ultimately failed due to poor planning and lack of military support. The repercussions were severe, resulting in the execution of several conspirators and a further erosion of the royal couple's political standing.

Adolf Frederick's political impotence was publicly dramatized in what historians often refer to as the "Potato Revolution" of 1769. The friction between the major political parties and the crown persisted and intensified due to Sweden's financial distress, exacerbated by wars and poor fiscal management under the Hats. This tension ultimately led to a realignment of political power within the Riksdag, but not in favor of the monarchy. Instead, Adolf Frederick was positioned as an arbiter in a transient political truce between the Hats and Caps—a precarious position that underscored his political irrelevance.

The final years of Adolf Frederick’s reign were marked by a peculiar incident that ostensibly reflects his broader political impotence: his death. Famously dubbed the monarch who died of over-eating, Adolf Frederick succumbed after consuming a meal of lobster, caviar, sauerkraut, kippers, and champagne, followed by 14 servings of his favorite dessert, Hetvägg, a traditional Swedish pastry with semla and warm milk. Though his death is often recounted with a degree of levity, it symbolically captured his passive role in Swedish politics—a king more known for his ceremonial excess than substantive governance.

In reflecting on the legacy of Adolf Frederick, it is essential to perceive his reign not as a period of direct political action or reform, but rather as a reflection of the broader constitutional monarchy arrangements of 18th-century Sweden. The Age of Liberty presented a unique chapter in Swedish history where the experiments in parliamentary governance took precedence over monarchical rule, setting the stage for subsequent political developments in Sweden. Adolf Frederick's reign is thus a testament to the delicate balance of power between the monarchy and parliament, a narrative echoed in various constitutional monarchies today.

Conclusively, while Adolf Frederick himself may not have been a towering political figure or reformer, his reign encapsulates the evolution towards parliamentary democracy in Sweden. The limitations imposed on his power illuminate the shifting paradigms in governance and are crucial for understanding the progression of modern Swedish political institutions. His legacy, intertwined with the age in which he ruled, offers insights into making sense of the political transformations that extend beyond Sweden's borders, influencing the broader European enlightenment regarding governance and monarchy.