Morale and religious beliefs Caroleans

communion important ritual swedish soldiers, before battle – gustaf cederström.

strict discipline necessary in carolean army allow offensive tactics, among other things exposed soldiers medium-distance enemy fire before being allowed respond. tactic intended soldiers close enough enemy impossible miss shot. steadfast courage shown swedish troops affect enemy morale, , on several occasions frightened enemies retreat.

to attain steadfast discipline, army had strict rules. soldier s private life strained these rules, supervised @ soldiers cabin in field. religion used tool keeping morale high amongst troops. regular priests preached virtues of serving crown , being soldier boost enlistment. within military, priests participated in battles raise morale amongst troops.

in order soldiers different regions , provinces of kingdom feel companionship , loyalty fellow soldiers, men same region or province made stay each other. church helped creating feeling of solidarity between soldiers different parts of kingdom showing soldiers fought common beliefs of swedish lutheran church when facing enemy army. reminder soldiers god protective , helped them in battle, had been said since sweden fought in thirty years war continental leader of protestantism. after battle of narva many soldiers believed god had sent them blizzard helped them victory. commonly thought defeat @ poltava god s punishment soldiers hubris , sins.