Long Live The King is a song about the death of Charles XII of Sweden, also referred to as Carolus Rex. Killed during the Siege of Fredriksten, there has been significant controversy over the cause of Charles’s death. He was killed by a bullet from one side of the brain to the other. No one witnessed the death and it is unknown whether he was murdered or killed by enemy forces.

Regardless, Charles’s death at only 36 and after only 19 years of rule was widely despaired at. Charles was a beloved king and fought to ensure the existence of the Swedish Empire. With his death came the death of the Swedish Empire and most glory associated with Swedish military battles.