Charles XIV John

Charles XIV John, original name Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte (1763-1844), King of Sweden and Norway (1818-1844). Bernadotte was born in Pau, France, and fought in the French Revolutionary Wars. In 1804, Napoleon gave Bernadotte the rank of marshal and later bestowed the rank of general upon him. Bernadotte distinguished himself in the victory of Austerlitz, Austria, in 1805, for which he was created Prince of Pontecorvo. He was also successful in the (1806-1807) campaign against the Prussians. In 1810 he was chosen by the Riksdag, the Swedish legislature, to succeed King Charles XIII, who had no heirs. Bernadotte agreed to become a Protestant, changed his name to Charles John, and soon began to exercise many royal functions. As Crown Prince he resisted Napoleon's efforts to involve Sweden in his designs against Great Britain. In fact, Sweden was soon engaged in war with France, and Charles contributed to the victory over the French at Leipzig in 1813. He forced Denmark in the Treaty of Kiel to cede Norway, and in 1814 subjugated Norway. The reign of Charles XIV John was prosperous and peaceful. He founded the modern Swedish royal House of Bernadotte, and he was succeeded by his son Oscar I.