Treaty of Labiau
Encyclopedia
The Treaty of Labiau was a treaty
signed between Frederick William I, Elector of Brandenburg and Charles X Gustav of Sweden
on 10 November (O.S.
) / 20 November (N.S.
) 1656 in Labiau
(now Polessk). With several concessions, the most important being the elevation of Frederick William I from a Swedish vassal to a full sovereign in the Duchy of Prussia and in Ermland (Ermeland, Warmia), Charles X Gustav strove to "buy Frederick William's support" in the ongoing Second Northern War
.
broke out in 1654, Charles X Gustav of Sweden
offered an alliance to Frederick William I, the "Great Elector" of Brandenburg and duke of Prussia. As the prize for this alliance would have been the surrender of the Prussian ports of Pillau (now Baltiysk) and Memel
(now Klaipėda) to Sweden, Frederick William I refused and instead signed a defensive alliance with the Dutch Republic
in 1655.
Following Swedish military successes, including an invasion of Prussia, Frederick William I was forced to take Prussia as a fief from the Swedish king in the Treaty of Königsberg
on 7 January (O.S.
) / 17 January (N.S.
) 1656. Before, Frederick William I had held that duchy as a fief of the Polish king. In Königsberg, the "Great Elector" further had to meet the Swedish demands for Pillau and Memel, promise financial and military aid, and surrender half of the port duties to Sweden.
On 15 June (O.S.
) / 25 June (N.S.
) 1656, Charles X Gustav and Frederick William I concluded a formal alliance in the Treaty of Marienburg
after Swedish advances in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
had stalled. Sweden offered conquered Polish territories, and Frederick William I went to support Charles X Gustav with his newly-formed army in the Battle of Warsaw
on 28-30 July, which marked "the beginning of Prussian military history".
Though victorious, the subsequent entry into the war of the Russian tsar, the Holy Roman Emperor and the Dutch navy left Sweden in an unfavourable condition, and dependent on further Brandenburgian support. This enabled Frederick William I to raise the prize for remaining a Swedish ally, and Charles X Gustav met his demands in the treaty of Labiau.
Sweden further relinquished her rights to collect custom dues in Prussian ports, in turn, Frederick William I was to satisfy Sweden with 120,000 riksdalers. A Calvinist
himself, he also obliged himself to grant religious freedom to the Lutherans
in his Prussian territories, confirming the similar articles IV and XVII of the treaties of Marienburg and Königsberg, respectively.
In addition to these terms, the treaty also included secret articles: therein, Frederick William I accepted Swedish claims to the Baltic coastal areas between Prussia and Swedish Livonia
, namely Courland
, Lithuania
, Samogitia
and Semigallia.
entered the war and Charles X Gustav left the Polish theater to campaign in Denmark
, Frederick William I withdrew his forces from Poland and entrenched them in his Prussian territories.
When an envoy of Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
proposed Polish acceptance of Hohenzollern sovereignty in Prussia in turn for Frederick William I joining the anti-Swedish camp and supporting the Habsburg candidate in the next imperial elections, the "Great Elector" signaled his willingness to change sides. Thereupon, Polish king John III Sobieski
concluded the secret Treaty of Wehlau on 19 September 1657, wherein the Hohenzollern sovereignty over the Duchy of Prussia, but not Ermland, was confirmed in turn for an "eternal alliance" between Brandenburg-Prussia and Poland and religious freedom for the Catholics
in Prussia.
The terms of Wehlau was confirmed by the Treaty of Bromberg
in November, after which Brandenburg actively campaigned against Sweden. Frederick William I also gave his vote to the Habsburg candidate, after the emperor on 29 February 1658 agreed to another treaty providing Frederick William I with 10,000 forces to support his campaign in Swedish Pomerania
.
On 18 January 1701, based on the sovereignty of the Prussian duchy, Frederick I of Prussia
crowned himself "King in Prussia
."
Treaty
A treaty is an express agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely sovereign states and international organizations. A treaty may also be known as an agreement, protocol, covenant, convention or exchange of letters, among other terms...
signed between Frederick William I, Elector of Brandenburg and Charles X Gustav of Sweden
Charles X Gustav of Sweden
Charles X Gustav also Carl Gustav, was King of Sweden from 1654 until his death. He was the son of John Casimir, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken-Kleeburg and Catherine of Sweden. After his father's death he also succeeded him as Pfalzgraf. He was married to Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp, who...
on 10 November (O.S.
Old Style and New Style dates
Old Style and New Style are used in English language historical studies either to indicate that the start of the Julian year has been adjusted to start on 1 January even though documents written at the time use a different start of year ; or to indicate that a date conforms to the Julian...
) / 20 November (N.S.
Old Style and New Style dates
Old Style and New Style are used in English language historical studies either to indicate that the start of the Julian year has been adjusted to start on 1 January even though documents written at the time use a different start of year ; or to indicate that a date conforms to the Julian...
) 1656 in Labiau
Polessk
Polessk , prior to 1945 known by its German name Labiau is a town and the administrative center of Polessky District of Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia. Population: 4,744 ....
(now Polessk). With several concessions, the most important being the elevation of Frederick William I from a Swedish vassal to a full sovereign in the Duchy of Prussia and in Ermland (Ermeland, Warmia), Charles X Gustav strove to "buy Frederick William's support" in the ongoing Second Northern War
Second Northern War
The Second Northern War was fought between Sweden and its adversaries the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth , Russia , Brandenburg-Prussia , the Habsburg Monarchy and Denmark–Norway...
.
Background
When the Second Northern WarSecond Northern War
The Second Northern War was fought between Sweden and its adversaries the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth , Russia , Brandenburg-Prussia , the Habsburg Monarchy and Denmark–Norway...
broke out in 1654, Charles X Gustav of Sweden
Charles X Gustav of Sweden
Charles X Gustav also Carl Gustav, was King of Sweden from 1654 until his death. He was the son of John Casimir, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken-Kleeburg and Catherine of Sweden. After his father's death he also succeeded him as Pfalzgraf. He was married to Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp, who...
offered an alliance to Frederick William I, the "Great Elector" of Brandenburg and duke of Prussia. As the prize for this alliance would have been the surrender of the Prussian ports of Pillau (now Baltiysk) and Memel
Klaipeda
Klaipėda is a city in Lithuania situated at the mouth of the Nemunas River where it flows into the Baltic Sea. It is the third largest city in Lithuania and the capital of Klaipėda County....
(now Klaipėda) to Sweden, Frederick William I refused and instead signed a defensive alliance with the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
in 1655.
Treaty of Königsberg (1656)
The Treaty of Königsberg was concluded on 7 January / 17 January 1656 during the Second Northern War. Frederick William I, the "Great Elector" of Brandenburg and duke of Prussia, was forced to join the Swedish camp and became a Swedish vassal for the Duchy of Prussia and Ermland...
on 7 January (O.S.
Old Style and New Style dates
Old Style and New Style are used in English language historical studies either to indicate that the start of the Julian year has been adjusted to start on 1 January even though documents written at the time use a different start of year ; or to indicate that a date conforms to the Julian...
) / 17 January (N.S.
Old Style and New Style dates
Old Style and New Style are used in English language historical studies either to indicate that the start of the Julian year has been adjusted to start on 1 January even though documents written at the time use a different start of year ; or to indicate that a date conforms to the Julian...
) 1656. Before, Frederick William I had held that duchy as a fief of the Polish king. In Königsberg, the "Great Elector" further had to meet the Swedish demands for Pillau and Memel, promise financial and military aid, and surrender half of the port duties to Sweden.
On 15 June (O.S.
Old Style and New Style dates
Old Style and New Style are used in English language historical studies either to indicate that the start of the Julian year has been adjusted to start on 1 January even though documents written at the time use a different start of year ; or to indicate that a date conforms to the Julian...
) / 25 June (N.S.
Old Style and New Style dates
Old Style and New Style are used in English language historical studies either to indicate that the start of the Julian year has been adjusted to start on 1 January even though documents written at the time use a different start of year ; or to indicate that a date conforms to the Julian...
) 1656, Charles X Gustav and Frederick William I concluded a formal alliance in the Treaty of Marienburg
Treaty of Marienburg
The treaty of Marienburg, concluded on 29 June 1656, was a Brandenburg-Prussian – Swedish alliance during the Second Northern War.In January 1656, Charles X Gustav of Sweden had made Frederick William I, Elector of Brandenburg, his vassal for the Duchy of Prussia...
after Swedish advances in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
had stalled. Sweden offered conquered Polish territories, and Frederick William I went to support Charles X Gustav with his newly-formed army in the Battle of Warsaw
Battle of Warsaw (1656)
The Battle of Warsaw was a battle which took place near Warsaw on , between the armies of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth on the one hand and of Sweden and Brandenburg on the other. It was a major battle in the Second Northern War between Poland and Sweden in the period 1655–1660, also known as...
on 28-30 July, which marked "the beginning of Prussian military history".
Though victorious, the subsequent entry into the war of the Russian tsar, the Holy Roman Emperor and the Dutch navy left Sweden in an unfavourable condition, and dependent on further Brandenburgian support. This enabled Frederick William I to raise the prize for remaining a Swedish ally, and Charles X Gustav met his demands in the treaty of Labiau.
Terms
Charles X Gustav granted Frederick William I full souvereignity in the Duchy of Prussia and Ermland (Ermeland, Warmia). For his Prussian possessions, Frederick William I was elevated from the status of a duke to a princeps summus & Suverenus. Article III specifies that this applies also to Frederick William I's successors, who likewise would have the status of principes summi & absoluti Suverenii.Sweden further relinquished her rights to collect custom dues in Prussian ports, in turn, Frederick William I was to satisfy Sweden with 120,000 riksdalers. A Calvinist
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
himself, he also obliged himself to grant religious freedom to the Lutherans
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
in his Prussian territories, confirming the similar articles IV and XVII of the treaties of Marienburg and Königsberg, respectively.
In addition to these terms, the treaty also included secret articles: therein, Frederick William I accepted Swedish claims to the Baltic coastal areas between Prussia and Swedish Livonia
Swedish Livonia
- Swedish infantry and cavalry regiments:Infantry regiments:* Garnisonsregementet i Riga * Guvenörsregementet i Riga * Livländsk infanteribataljon I...
, namely Courland
Courland
Courland is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The regions of Semigallia and Selonia are sometimes considered as part of Courland.- Geography and climate :...
, Lithuania
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 12th /13th century until 1569 and then as a constituent part of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1791 when Constitution of May 3, 1791 abolished it in favor of unitary state. It was founded by the Lithuanians, one of the polytheistic...
, Samogitia
Samogitia
Samogitia is one of the five ethnographic regions of Lithuania. It is located in northwestern Lithuania. Its largest city is Šiauliai/Šiaulē. The region has a long and distinct cultural history, reflected in the existence of the Samogitian dialect...
and Semigallia.
Consequences
After the treaty, Frederick William I first continued his military support for Charles X Gustav by detaching some forces to join the latter's Polish campaigns in early 1657. However, after DenmarkDenmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
entered the war and Charles X Gustav left the Polish theater to campaign in Denmark
March across the Belts
The March across the Belts was a campaign between 30 January and 8 February 1658 during the Second Northern War where Swedish king Karl X Gustav led the Swedish army from Jutland across the ice of the Little Belt and the Great Belt to reach Zealand...
, Frederick William I withdrew his forces from Poland and entrenched them in his Prussian territories.
When an envoy of Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand III was Holy Roman Emperor from 15 February 1637 until his death, as well as King of Hungary and Croatia, King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria.-Life:...
proposed Polish acceptance of Hohenzollern sovereignty in Prussia in turn for Frederick William I joining the anti-Swedish camp and supporting the Habsburg candidate in the next imperial elections, the "Great Elector" signaled his willingness to change sides. Thereupon, Polish king John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski was one of the most notable monarchs of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, from 1674 until his death King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. Sobieski's 22-year-reign was marked by a period of the Commonwealth's stabilization, much needed after the turmoil of the Deluge and...
concluded the secret Treaty of Wehlau on 19 September 1657, wherein the Hohenzollern sovereignty over the Duchy of Prussia, but not Ermland, was confirmed in turn for an "eternal alliance" between Brandenburg-Prussia and Poland and religious freedom for the Catholics
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in Prussia.
The terms of Wehlau was confirmed by the Treaty of Bromberg
Treaty of Bromberg
The Treaty of Bromberg or Treaty of Bydgoszcz was a treaty between John II Casimir of Poland and Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg-Prussia, ratified at Bromberg on 6 November 1657...
in November, after which Brandenburg actively campaigned against Sweden. Frederick William I also gave his vote to the Habsburg candidate, after the emperor on 29 February 1658 agreed to another treaty providing Frederick William I with 10,000 forces to support his campaign in Swedish Pomerania
Swedish Pomerania
Swedish Pomerania was a Dominion under the Swedish Crown from 1630 to 1815, situated on what is now the Baltic coast of Germany and Poland. Following the Polish War and the Thirty Years' War, Sweden held extensive control over the lands on the southern Baltic coast, including Pomerania and parts...
.
On 18 January 1701, based on the sovereignty of the Prussian duchy, Frederick I of Prussia
Frederick I of Prussia
Frederick I , of the Hohenzollern dynasty, was Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia in personal union . The latter function he upgraded to royalty, becoming the first King in Prussia . From 1707 he was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel...
crowned himself "King in Prussia
Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the area of the German Empire...
."