- Caroleans
Caroleans (Swedish: "karoliner") were the
soldier s of the Swedish kingsCharles XI and Charles XII.Swedish allotment system
The Caroleans soldiers were the soldiers of the yearly
Swedish allotment system . It wasCharles XI who drove through the necessary reforms in the Swedish army to raise the Carolean army. The Caroleans' tactics were to strike hard and be fearless; they also upheld strict discipline, which over the long course of a 20 year long war proved to be both successful and necessary.It is said about Charles XII that "he could not retreat, only attack or fall". The same goes for his soldiers. In the Swedish army tactics of that time retreat was never covered. Troops were obligated to attack or fight where they stood; a military doctrine, that with the advantage of hindsight might have proven a bit rash.
Uniforms
The Carolean
uniform was among many variants of the Swedish Standard Uniform introduced by Charles XI. Thegreat coat s were blue with yellow cuffs. The breeches were white, and the vest yellow. They woretricorne hats or a special cap called aKarpus . They were equipped with Muskets, rapiers, grenades, et cetera.Organization
The Carolean army was organized into regiments according to region.
*
Cavalry regiments, including the Jämtlands dragoon regiment, and the king's personal guards, the Livdrabanterna regiment
*Infantry regiments, including the Värmlands and Västerbottens regiment
*Grenadier regiments
*Artillery regimentsThe army also included a special unit called the "
Livdrabant erna" (Royal Life Guard Corps). This was a special unit made up of some 100 men. It was under the personal command of King Charles XII, for which he was named captain. To become a private in the corps you had to attain the rank of Captain in the regular army. The king's second in command was aColonel with the title of Kaptenlöjtnant (Lieutenant Captain). This corps fought to the bitter end, and some of its veterans carried Charles XII'scoffin on its arrival to the capital for the burial in 1719.See also
*
Swedish army
*Swedish allotment system
*Great Northern War
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