The death of King Charles XII of Sweden in 1718 has long been a subject of intrigue and debate. The Swedish king was killed by a projectile while inspecting his troops during the siege of Fredriksten in Norway, and the circumstances surrounding his death have remained controversial.


– **Historical Context:** Charles XII was a warrior king who led Sweden during the Great Northern War, a conflict that involved multiple European powers. His death occurred on November 30, 1718, during the siege of the fortress at Fredriksten in Norway, marking a significant turning point in the war and Swedish history.

– **The Projectile Wound:** The projectile that killed Charles XII entered the left side of his skull and exited from the right, causing instant death. The exact nature of the projectile—whether it was a bullet or shrapnel—and whether it was fired by an enemy soldier or someone within his own ranks has been widely debated.

– **1917 Autopsy:** In 1917, nearly 200 years after his death, an autopsy was conducted on Charles XII’s remains. The pH๏τographs taken during this autopsy revealed the extent of the injuries to his skull, providing evidence for further analysis of the cause of death. The autopsy aimed to determine whether the projectile came from the front lines or from within his own camp, as some theories suggest he may have been ᴀssᴀssinated.

– **Theories and Controversy:** The main theories about Charles XII’s death range from being struck by an enemy bullet to being ᴀssᴀssinated by his own men, who might have grown tired of the long and costly war. The findings from the 1917 autopsy have fueled these debates, though no definitive conclusion has been reached.

The death of Charles XII remains one of the great mysteries of European history, with the 1917 autopsy providing valuable, yet inconclusive, evidence that continues to spark discussion among historians and enthusiasts.