Charles XI attempted what seems like a fairly daring ice crossing in the Scanian War in the late 1670s, before he had any heirs. Now, maybe it wasn't as daring as I think and the ice was such that the area froze over most winters int hsoe days - that I don't know. But, suppose he dies during this endeavor (though less likely of coure if there *are* no mild winters in this Little Ice Age period.)
He's the only issue of Charles X to be legitimate - but I notice he did have one illegitimate son in 1647 and others before hsi marriage as well. OTOH, it's very unlikely such a child could take the throne, especially with a very powerful Queen Mother. In fact, from what I read, Hedwig Elenora was so powerful I suppose she could take as queen. Although then you'd have her as the Swedish Elizabeth I - not quite a Virgin Queen but one too old to have children but who would possibly make a number of the same decisions OTL's Charles XI and XII made.
If Hedwig can't get enough people around her to accept her as queen, who would reign instead? (Of coruse, Hedwig reigning herself could be a very intereting TL.)
Finally, I know quite a few like to envision a much later Kalmar Union forming. hedwig's father's mother was a daughter of Frederick II of Denmark. Is it possible that Denmark could claim more than Holstein Hottorp (which they did a few decades later) but try to claim Sweden? Although, it's probably more proper succession-wise to ask, could the Swedes claim Denmark? In toehr case, would it be accepted? I doubt it considering how far apart they'd grown, but it's one possibility I hadn't seen int he few Kalmar threads I searched. (Admittedly maybe becuase it wouldn't happen.)
He's the only issue of Charles X to be legitimate - but I notice he did have one illegitimate son in 1647 and others before hsi marriage as well. OTOH, it's very unlikely such a child could take the throne, especially with a very powerful Queen Mother. In fact, from what I read, Hedwig Elenora was so powerful I suppose she could take as queen. Although then you'd have her as the Swedish Elizabeth I - not quite a Virgin Queen but one too old to have children but who would possibly make a number of the same decisions OTL's Charles XI and XII made.
If Hedwig can't get enough people around her to accept her as queen, who would reign instead? (Of coruse, Hedwig reigning herself could be a very intereting TL.)
Finally, I know quite a few like to envision a much later Kalmar Union forming. hedwig's father's mother was a daughter of Frederick II of Denmark. Is it possible that Denmark could claim more than Holstein Hottorp (which they did a few decades later) but try to claim Sweden? Although, it's probably more proper succession-wise to ask, could the Swedes claim Denmark? In toehr case, would it be accepted? I doubt it considering how far apart they'd grown, but it's one possibility I hadn't seen int he few Kalmar threads I searched. (Admittedly maybe becuase it wouldn't happen.)