Denmark
The Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, its Lutheran monarchy and its rivalry with Sweden for control of the Baltic.
Category: States/Places
- April 4, 1588Christian IV becomes King of Denmark-Norway at ten
Christian IV succeeds his father on 4 April 1588, aged ten, and is crowned on 29 August 1596. He reigns until 1648, the longest reign in Scandinavian history, and later leads Denmark into the war as Duke of Holstein.
- 1611 – January 20, 1613Denmark and Sweden fight the Kalmar War for control of the Baltic
In 1611 Christian IV of Denmark-Norway attacks Sweden at the start of the Kalmar War. The Treaty of Knäred on 20 January 1613 forces Sweden to pay a heavy indemnity, but Sweden keeps its territory, bar Älvsborg.
- May 9, 1625Christian IV of Denmark takes command of the Lower Saxon Circle and enters the war
On 9 May 1625 Christian IV, elected military commander of the Lower Saxon Circle, takes up arms against Ferdinand II as Duke of Holstein. His intervention opens the Danish phase of the war, financed by England and the Dutch.
- December 9, 1625England, the Dutch Republic and Denmark ally at The Hague against the emperor
On 9 December 1625 England, the Dutch Republic and Denmark-Norway sign the Treaty of The Hague, under which the English and Dutch are to fund Christian IV. France, Sweden and Venice do not join, and the funds fall short.
- August 27, 1626Tilly defeats Christian IV of Denmark at Lutter
On 27 August 1626 Tilly's Catholic League army defeats Christian IV at Lutter am Barenberge. The Danes lose all their artillery and thousands of men, and many German allies desert Christian.
- May 13, 1628 – August 4, 1628Stralsund resists Wallenstein with Danish and Swedish help
From 13 May to 4 August 1628 Stralsund holds out against Wallenstein. On 23 June it signs a twenty-year alliance with Gustavus Adolphus, who sends troops. It is Wallenstein's first setback and Sweden's foothold in the Empire.
- May 22, 1629Denmark makes peace with the emperor in the Treaty of Lübeck
On 22 May 1629 Wallenstein and Christian IV sign the Treaty of Lübeck, ratified by Ferdinand II on 7 June. Christian keeps his lands but gives up his claims to the Lower Saxon bishoprics and stays out of imperial affairs. Denmark declines as a power.
- August 13, 1645Denmark yields territory to Sweden at Brömsebro
On 13 August 1645 Denmark–Norway cedes Gotland, Ösel, Jämtland, Härjedalen and (for 30 years) Halland. It ends the Torstenson War and confirms Sweden's dominance in the Baltic.