I was first introduced to the period and Charles XII of Sweden as a teenager when my father suggested that I read his copy of E.M. Almedingen's The Lion of the North. I was captivated. Almedingen vividly, passionately and somewhat romantically relates the story of the reluctant boy-King, brought to the fore, to manhood and to the status of legend by a war that was not of his making, but was begun by neighbours, keen to take advantage of a power vacuum presented by the death of his father so as to exact revenge on the powerful Swedes. My knowledge of the period is a little better and more nuanced now (though I am still learning more and more with each book, unit and game), but it is still the inherent characters, particularly Karl, and the epic nature and extent of the war that I find most captivating. The many and varied nations, units and military methods add greatly to the interest and variety of the period. For me it is far more fluid and action-packed than most 18th century warfare.
Great Northern War montage (Wikimedia commons)
Battles
Battle of the Düna (Riga) 9th July 1701
(on Avon Napoleonic Fellowship blog)
Battle of Klissow, 19th July 1702 (8th July Julian calendar, 9th July Swedish calendar)
1. Twilight of the Sun King rules: Part 1 and Part 2
2. Polemos Great Northern War rules: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3
Battle of Fraustadt, 2nd February 1706
Books and figures
Figure review: Mars Swedish Infantry
(on Avon Napoleonic Fellowship blog)
Review of GåPå rules
(on Avon Napoleonic Fellowship blog)
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