The Swedish Military Machine
The Caroleans of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Sweden had a powerful military in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was the foundation of the Swedish Empire that saw the Scandinavian nation conquer much of the Baltic region. At its height, the empire controlled territory in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Russia, and more.
The Caroleans (Karoliner) earned their nickname from the monarchs they served, Charles XI and Charles XII. Clad in distinctive blue and yellow uniforms, they were famous for their high morale and aggressive tactics.
Organisation
The Caroleans were split into three branches, infantry, cavalry, and artillery. They fought closely alongside each other, counting on teamwork and mutual support to win their battles.
Recruitment was carried out through the allotment system. Independently or in groups of five, Swedish farmers provided the crown with a soldier and supported them. In exchange for this, the farmers received tax cuts.
Most of the infantry were musketeers but one third still carried pikes. Swedish musketeers typically carried a sword for close combat but bayonets began to be issued after 1704. A dozen of the tallest and strongest men in each company would be designated grenadiers.
