Preserving Peace
In 1680 Charles XI of Sweden entrusted him absolutely with the conduct of foreign affairs, on the sole condition that peace was to be preserved, an office which he held for the next seventeen years to the very great advantage of Sweden. His leading political principles were friendship with the maritime powers England and the United Provinces, and the emperor, and a close anti-Danish alliance with the house of Holstein. Charles XI appointed Oxenstierna one of the regents during the minority of Charles XII of Sweden. The martial proclivities of the new king filled the prudent old Chancellor with alarm and anxiety. His protests were frequent and energetic, and he advised Charles in vain to accept the terms of peace offered by the first anti-Swedish coalition. Oxenstierna has been described as “a shrewd and subtle little man, of gentle disposition, but remarkable for his firmness and tenacity of character.”
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
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| Persondata | |
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| Name | Oxenstierna, Bengt |
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| Short description | |
| Date of birth | 1623 |
| Place of birth | |
| Date of death | 1702 |
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Read more about this topic: Bengt Gabrielsson Oxenstierna
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