Battle of Marstrand
Encyclopedia
The battle of Marstrand was a successful Danish-Norwegian siege of the harbor town of Marstrand
, Sweden
which took place between July 6 and July 23, 1677, during the Scanian War
.
was taken by a Swedish force. After a fiercely cold winter struck, no military movements took place until June, when Ulrik Fredrik Gyldenløve sent 2,000 men under the command of general Hans Løvenhjelm across the border to Bohuslän
to retake Strömstad. After doing this Løvenhielm proceeded to Uddevalla
. Simultaneously, Gyldenløve shipped out a considerable force (1,600 men according to Danish sources, 3,000 according to Swedish sources) in the direction of Marstrand. He landed on the neighboring island of Koön on July 6 and began besieging
the town.
and the three strong-points Malepert (on the east side of the northern harbour inlet), Gustafsborg (by the southern harbour inlet), and Hedvigsholm (on a skerry
located in the harbour itself). The defenders tallied 600, led by commander (kommendant) Anders Sinclair. When demanded to evacuate the fortress, Sinclair replied "...there was no fortress to yield, but if the enemy would like to visit, there would be a fine welcoming party."
The Danes attacked Hedvigsholm first; after withstanding several attacks, the Swedes defending it were forced to abanadon it and retire to Carlsten on July 20. Malepert had been taken already on July 13, and Gustafsberg was abandoned soon thereafter. Carlsten no longer had outposts, and after strong bombardment from all sides, finally surrendered on July 23, with the condition that the commander along with his men would be sent to Värmland
.
. Through the conquest of Marstrand Denmark obtained a safe, ice-free harbour. This in turn further enabled the Danish blockade of Gothenburg
. However, Løvenhjelm soon found himself threatened by approaching Swedish forces, and retired with his men to Strömstad in August.
Marstrand
Marstrand is a seaside locality situated in Kungälv Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 1,432 inhabitants in 2005. It has held city privileges since 1200. The most striking feature about Marstrand is the 17th century fortress Carlsten, named after King Carl X Gustav of Sweden. The...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
which took place between July 6 and July 23, 1677, during the Scanian War
Scanian War
The Scanian War was a part of the Northern Wars involving the union of Denmark-Norway, Brandenburg and Sweden. It was fought mainly on Scanian soil, in the former Danish provinces along the border with Sweden and in Northern Germany...
.
Prelude
In January 1677, a strong point in StrömstadStrömstad
Strömstad is a locality and the seat of Strömstad Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 6,110 inhabitants in 2005.Strömstad is, despite its small population, for historical reasons normally still referred to as a city.- History :...
was taken by a Swedish force. After a fiercely cold winter struck, no military movements took place until June, when Ulrik Fredrik Gyldenløve sent 2,000 men under the command of general Hans Løvenhjelm across the border to Bohuslän
Bohuslän
' is a Swedish traditional province, or landskap, situated in Götaland on the northernmost part of the country's west coast. It is bordered by Dalsland to the northeast, Västergötland to the southeast, the Skagerrak arm of the North Sea to the west, and the county of Østfold in Norway to the north...
to retake Strömstad. After doing this Løvenhielm proceeded to Uddevalla
Uddevalla
Uddevalla is a city and the seat of Uddevalla Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 30,513 inhabitants in 2005.It is located at the bay Byfjorden, of the south-eastern part of the sea known as Skagerrak...
. Simultaneously, Gyldenløve shipped out a considerable force (1,600 men according to Danish sources, 3,000 according to Swedish sources) in the direction of Marstrand. He landed on the neighboring island of Koön on July 6 and began besieging
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
the town.
Development
Marstrand was defended by the fortress of CarlstenCarlsten
Carlsten is a stone fortress located at Marstrand, on the western coast of Sweden. The fortress was built on the orders of King Carl X of Sweden following the Treaty of Roskilde, 1658 to protect the newly acquired province of Bohuslän from hostile attacks....
and the three strong-points Malepert (on the east side of the northern harbour inlet), Gustafsborg (by the southern harbour inlet), and Hedvigsholm (on a skerry
Skerry
A skerry is a small rocky island, usually defined to be too small for habitation. It may simply be a rocky reef. A skerry can also be called a low sea stack....
located in the harbour itself). The defenders tallied 600, led by commander (kommendant) Anders Sinclair. When demanded to evacuate the fortress, Sinclair replied "...there was no fortress to yield, but if the enemy would like to visit, there would be a fine welcoming party."
The Danes attacked Hedvigsholm first; after withstanding several attacks, the Swedes defending it were forced to abanadon it and retire to Carlsten on July 20. Malepert had been taken already on July 13, and Gustafsberg was abandoned soon thereafter. Carlsten no longer had outposts, and after strong bombardment from all sides, finally surrendered on July 23, with the condition that the commander along with his men would be sent to Värmland
Värmland
' is a historical province or landskap in the west of middle Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Dalsland, Dalarna, Västmanland and Närke. It is also bounded by Norway in the west. Latin name versions are Vermelandia and Wermelandia. Although the province's land originally was Götaland, the...
.
Aftermath
After taking Carlsten, Gyldenløve installed a strong detachment of troops under Løvenhjelm to defend Marstrand before returning to NorwayNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. Through the conquest of Marstrand Denmark obtained a safe, ice-free harbour. This in turn further enabled the Danish blockade of Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
. However, Løvenhjelm soon found himself threatened by approaching Swedish forces, and retired with his men to Strömstad in August.