(WitN Part 22) The Scanian War

With the Swedish economy facing utter collapse and its military in decline, the state is forced to accept French subsidies to help prop up its finances. These subsidies would come with a great cost to Sweden however, as it is forced to join in a war that the Swedes know they are underprepared for and launches a disastrous invasion into Brandenburg. After an initial Swedish defeat, the aura of invincibility surrounding Swedish arms is broken and its neighbors decide to join in. Amidst all the chaos the 21 year old Charles XI would lead the Swedish army personally to defend the homeland and soon prove all of his old critics wrong. Afterwards he would reform the Swedish Empire into a force to be reckoned with once again, laying the foundations for his son Charles XII.