Charles XIV

(1763-1844) (Charles-Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte)

   marshal of France, king of Sweden

   Born in Pau, Charles-jean-Baptiste Bernadotte served as a soldier in the revolution of 1789 and became a brigadier general in 1794. in 1797, he served under Napoléon Bonaparte (see napoléon i) in Italy, then as ambassador to Vienna in 1798. The same year, he became, by marrying Desirée Clary, the brother-in-law of Joseph bonaparte.As minister of war, Bernadotte refused to participate in the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire (1799). He was made a marshal by Napoléon in 1804, and governor of Hanover that same year. Bernadotte distinguished himself at the Battle of Austerlitz (1805), for which he was created prince of Pontecorvo. He also took part in the victories of Halle and Lubeck over the Prussians (1806), and those of Mohrun-gen and Spander, where he was wounded, over the Russians. As governor of the Hanseatic cities, he led the campaign against the Swedish forces of Gustave IV (1808). After Wagram, however, Bernadotte broke with Napoléon. The Swedes, who appreciated his policies toward them, offered Bernadotte the throne (1810). Chosen crown prince by the Swedish Riksdag (parliament), he was adopted by Charles x III, who had no heirs, and installed in Sweden with Bonaparte's approval. When the danger of the continental blockade, imposed by Napoléon, began to affect Sweden, Bernadotte, as crown prince, turned against him and, in 1812, allied Sweden with Russia. As a member of the coalition against Bonaparte and France, Bernadotte fought against the French forces at Grossbeeren and at Dennewitz, and against those commanded by Napoléon at Leipzig, where he contributed to the French defeat (1813). After a campaign in Hol-stein, Bernadotte signed the Peace of Kiel (1814) with Denmark, by which Norway was returned to Sweden. Bernadotte with enthusiasm became king of Sweden, succeeding Charles xiII in 1818, and dedicated himself to his role as monarch. He founded the present royal house of Bernadotte and was succeeded by his son Oscar I.