Charles XIII becomes King of Norway

Background. The Treaty of Kiel ceded Norway to Sweden, but Norwegians resisted, declaring independence and adopting a constitution in May 1814. After a brief war, the Convention of Moss was signed in August 1814. This agreement served as the basis for the personal union, leading to the Storting's election of the Swedish monarch as King of Norway in November 1814.

Election and Accession. The Norwegian Storting elected Charles XIII as King of Norway on 4 November 1814. He took the regnal name Charles II. The election was based on the Convention of Moss and the revised Norwegian constitution. Although Charles XIII was King of Sweden, he never visited Norway, with his adopted heir arriving in Christiania later in November.

Constitutional Context. The union was founded on the Convention of Moss and the revised Norwegian constitution of 4 November 1814. Norway retained its own parliament, laws, and institutions, sharing only the monarch and foreign service with Sweden. The Storting's election formalized this arrangement, ensuring Norway remained an equal part of the union despite the cession from Denmark.