Battle of Narva
Narva, Ida-Viru County, Estonia
What happened
King Charles XII of Sweden, aged 18, fought a much larger Russian army commanded by Charles Eugène de Croÿ. At the start of the Great Northern War, a Russian army besieged the Swedish-held town of Narva. Charles XII arrived with about 10,500 soldiers to face more than three times as many Russians. A sudden change of wind blew snow into the Russians' faces, the Swedes attacked under its cover, and the Russian lines quickly broke.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It made the young Charles XII famous across Europe. Russia went on to modernise its army and state in the following years.
What came next
Charles turned south to fight Saxony and Poland instead of invading Russia. Russia took Narva in 1704 and defeated Charles at Poltava in 1709.
Did you know?
Tsar Peter the Great left his army's camp the night before the battle, which was mocked in Europe, though some historians defend him.
Timeline
- 1700The Great Northern War begins.
- 30 November 1700Charles XII wins at Narva (20 November, Swedish calendar).
- 1704Russia captures Narva.
- July 1709Charles XII is defeated at Poltava.