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Kalmar War: Denmark against Sweden

Type Event Region Europe Time 1611–1613

The Kalmar War (1611–1613) was a conflict between Denmark–Norway and Sweden over Baltic trade routes, Finnmark, and southern border fortresses.

Timeline

  1. 1611Southern Swedish border · SwedenIn April 1611, Christian IV declared war on Sweden over its sovereignty claims in Finnmark and Baltic trade competition; Denmark–Norway's forces invaded Swedish territory from the south, and the war formally began.
  2. 1611–1612Kalmar · SwedenAbout 5,200 Danish troops besieged Kalmar and eventually captured the city, forcing Sweden to scuttle about 20 ships in the harbor. In May 1612, the fortress of Älvsborg also fell, leaving Sweden's southwestern gateway wide open.
  3. 1613Knäred · Halland ProvinceMediated by England's James I, the two sides signed a treaty at Knäred: territory was largely restored to its pre-war state, Sweden gained free passage through the Øresund, but had to pay the Älvsborg ransom to recover the fortress.

Sources