XXII

INTRODUCTION

Sweden than the elevation of the House of Zwei-Briicken to her throne. Kings of this family,finding themselves at the head of a race of seamen,neglected, or rather despised—even when reared inSweden—the surest element in their power, andinvolved their country in distant continental wars.Even Charles XI., who recreated a strong navy,failed to perceive that his country could not be agreat naval and a great military power at the sametime. The lesson of Fehrbellin and Kioge Bayhad not been understood.

What Charles Gustavus and Charles XII. couldnot see, and Charles XI. only imperfectly appre-hended, was plain to Peter the Great. The navalweakness of Sweden in the middle of Charles XII.’sreign gave him a rare opportunity. Of this hewas not slow to take advantage. Before quittingWestern Europe to return home, he had engaged alarge body of officers and seamen—mostly Dutchand English—for service in the fleet which he wasintent on constructing. Several capable master-shipwrights also were engaged. The history of thisfleet will be found in the pages of the long-secludedMS. now offered in print to the members of theNavy Records Society. The frequent reappear-ances of Sir John Norris in the Baltic at the headof a British force, continued till after Peter’s death,indicate that the latter’s naval proceedings did notpass unnoticed in this country. All the same, itis doubtful if our authorities of the day accuratelyappreciated the transformation effected by thoseproceedings in Northern Europe. Peter himselfthoroughly understood the effect of his own work.