The 18th century is generally associated with enlightenment, philospphy and science. In science Sweden followed the trend with internationally famed scientists as Linné, Celcius and Wargentin.

The 18th century saw new deals in economy. Manufactures grew, albeit not to an extent that we can talk about industrialisation. State-supported reform in agriculture also made productivity rise.

Dreams about reclaiming the territories lost to Russia in 1721 led to war in 1741. The result was not impressive. Sweden not only lost even more territories but also had to accept an heir to the throne of Russia's chosing.

Yes - Sweden had colonies. Small and shortlived, but still Sweden did hold land in North America, the West Indies and Africa.

After the death of Karl XII a war weary Sweden entered into hard peace treaties and reformed government.

During the "long 17th century", from 1560-1718, Sweden had seen far more years of war than of peace. How could Sweden afford this, and what was the price?

In 1707 Karl attacked Russia, but was hampered by insufficient support and Russian winter. Instead the army turned southeast, to Ukraine, where it was defeated at Poltava in 1709.

Karl XII was deemed mature enough to be king only 15 years old. Sweden's enemies thought that a young king sounded like a great opportunity, so from 1700 Sweden was at war with Denmark, Poland and Russia.

Sweden had grown since 1560. New territories had to be governed, sometimes incorporated in a way that the population was supposed to become "Swedish".

Karl XI focused on peace - not altogether successfully - and on strenthening his own power at the cost of the nobility. By the end of his reign Sweden was an absolute monarchy.

Karl Gustav was a voluminous guy who was good at war. So good that he made Sweden larger than ever before or after in 1658-1660.

Kristina was the only heir to Gustav Adolf. She was 6 years old when he died, and - alas - a girl. Nonetheless she showed political competence as a ruler, until she got fed up, abdicated, moved to Rome and converted to catholicism.

In charge of the Swedish government after the death of Gustav Adolf was Axel Oxenstierna, probably the most talented statesman Sweden ever had.

Gustav Adolf - or Gustavus Adolphus - is one of few Swedish kings known to foreigners. That is due to his military activities during the Thirty years war.

Duke Karl, youngest son of Gustav Vasa, eventually became king. An efficient, ruthless, suspicious and verbally clever man. Not a nice guy, but an interesting character!

Johan III is mostly known for his attempts to reconcile protestant and catholicn views - or, as both his brother Karl and later historians would put it - for his attempts to again make Sweden catholic. The fear for this grew when his son Sigismund, already king of Poland, inherited the throne.

Gustav Vasa's eldest son Erik inherited (a new thing) the kingdom in 1560. In spite of an ambitious foregin policy that later kings adopted, he can not be seen as a successfull king. In 1567 he went mad, was deposed and held imprisoned until he was poisoned by his brother in 1577.

Gustav Vasa gets a third episode where we see his family, his foreign policy and sort of sum him up.

King Gustav managed to centralise administration and power rather quickly. The many changes in society led to a number of small and large rebellions.

The rebellion against Christian II was led by Gustav Eriksson Vasa. To win he had to lend money from Lübeck - and to pay the debt he then had to raise money within Sweden. Thus began the reformation of the Swedish church.