
Hanging with History
Hanging with History
The Attacks on Copenhagen 1801 1807; Københavns bombardement
You can send me a text if you have a comment or question
First episode of a 3-episode arc on the British attacks on Copenhagen.
This covers Danish history and Copenhagen history through the long 18th century. Conflict with Sweden, intervention and peace making by Britain.
the long neutrality, Denmark as a Russian client state. "The League of Armed Neutrality will save us!"
The Palmy Days and how Denmark octupled its trade, rose to the 2nd largest merchant fleet in the world, and then sailed too close to the wind. The Danes benefit greatly from this situation the Royal Navy has established, driving the French, Dutch and Spanish off the high seas, but they refuse to play by the Royal Navy's rules. The whole episode is a colossal misjudgment by Czar Paul and Denmark. Czar Paul at least has the excuse of being insane.
This makes heavy use of Gareth Glover's The Two battles of Copenhagen.