Chapter VIII: The Scanian War
The war of 1441-42, or the Scanian War as it is often called, was a short and efficient affair. Some later day historians have asserted that the war was won by Swedish treachery. This is not true. The King of Denmark was foolish in believing that Sweden would still stand by Denmark in a war, the Union of Kalmar was broken, and Sweden had no interest in serving under the Danish banner any further. Certain later days historians have also asserted that the Swedish King had not prepared sufficiently for the war and that it could have ended in disaster were it not for the element of surprise and the desperation of the Danish King. This argument does have some truth to it.
Advisor: Oh, it is you again, what now?
Olof: Nothing, nothing. In fact, I’m just pleased that the King gets what he deserves.
Advisor: Well, I am happy that you are happy.
In April 1441 the Swedish army was deployed in two units: The Life Guards, some 6000 horse under the command of King Karl was located around Kalmar, in Småland. The Royal Army, some 1000 foot and 3000 horse, was located around Älvsborg in Västergötland. This army was neither large enough, nor well enough organised to wage a protracted war of attrition against Denmark. Finally, some historians have claimed that King Karl lacked the ability to lead. This is not completely correct. While he was indeed not an astute tactician, he had skilled lieutenants under his command, and it cannot be denied that he did posses a certain amount of charisma.
The first act of Swedish aggression came when the Life Guard advanced into Skåne in May. The small garrison forces were overrun, and the province was laid under siege. Attempts to blockade several Scanian ports by sea were however repulsed by the superior Danish navy. The Swedish fleet suffered greatly in several bloody engagements throughout the summer and Danish warships could be seen as far north as the Kalmar Strait.
The first siege of Skåne.
By the end of July the rest of the Royal Army had arrived in Skåne to aid the siege. Only two days later, a huge Danish relieving force disembarked from a large Danish fleet, and the Swedish army was badly beaten at the battle of Eslöv. The army retreated into Västergötland, with the superior Danish army in close pursuit. The Swedish army was beaten again, demoralized from the previous defeat and the long march.
The army withdrew to Svealand, leaving the Danes to pillage Västergötland while reinforcements were brought up. After a month of recuperation the Swedish army was ready to strike back. But instead of attacking the main Danish force to the west, the army marched down the Swedish east coast, through Småland, and back into Skåne. The Swedish fleet also managed to sneak by the Danish patrols, and in December 1441, half of the army was quickly transported over Öresund into Sjælland while the other half remained behind.
By April 1442, the final Danish fortress in Skåne was taken, and only days later a desperate relief attempt was rebutted. In May, the Danish capital in Sjælland fell, and the Swedish army was shipped back over the strait to evict the Danish army still pillaging Västergötland. At about the same time, a small band of cavalrymen from Lappland were busy fighting their private war and occupying the scantly defended fishing communities of northern Norway.
On the 13th of June, the Swedish army met and engaged its Danish counterpart on the fields south of Lidköping in the middle of Västergötland. The battle lasted for 9 days, and when it was over the Swedish army had triumphed over its adversaries. This was the final major engagement of the war. Sensing that the war would soon be over, and not wanting to tie his fate too closely to that of northern Germany, King Karl declined an offer from Holstein to send drill instructors to help improve the Swedish army. Attempts were made to carry the war into Norway, but the Swedish army, consisting mainly of horse, was at a disadvantage in the mountains of Østlandet and had to retreat.
Nevertheless, on the first of August, a Danish delegation arrived at Älvsborg with an offer of peace. The treaty was extremely generous and gave Sweden not only Skåne, but all of Norway north of Trondelag as well. It might appear odd that Denmark was willing to give up so much after such a short fight, but the Danish court was desperate. It had been surprised first by Sweden’s declaration of war, and then by the speed of their advance. Rumours had been circulation that Sweden and the Hansa were planning to split up Denmark and Norway between them.
But there was of course never any conspiracy. The war was simply the result of a seized opportunity, not a carefully planned plot to end Denmark’s existence.
A few pictures of my German allies part of the war.
The situation after the rather unexpected Danish peace offer.
The war of 1441-42, or the Scanian War as it is often called, was a short and efficient affair. Some later day historians have asserted that the war was won by Swedish treachery. This is not true. The King of Denmark was foolish in believing that Sweden would still stand by Denmark in a war, the Union of Kalmar was broken, and Sweden had no interest in serving under the Danish banner any further. Certain later days historians have also asserted that the Swedish King had not prepared sufficiently for the war and that it could have ended in disaster were it not for the element of surprise and the desperation of the Danish King. This argument does have some truth to it.
Advisor: Oh, it is you again, what now?
Olof: Nothing, nothing. In fact, I’m just pleased that the King gets what he deserves.
Advisor: Well, I am happy that you are happy.
In April 1441 the Swedish army was deployed in two units: The Life Guards, some 6000 horse under the command of King Karl was located around Kalmar, in Småland. The Royal Army, some 1000 foot and 3000 horse, was located around Älvsborg in Västergötland. This army was neither large enough, nor well enough organised to wage a protracted war of attrition against Denmark. Finally, some historians have claimed that King Karl lacked the ability to lead. This is not completely correct. While he was indeed not an astute tactician, he had skilled lieutenants under his command, and it cannot be denied that he did posses a certain amount of charisma.
The first act of Swedish aggression came when the Life Guard advanced into Skåne in May. The small garrison forces were overrun, and the province was laid under siege. Attempts to blockade several Scanian ports by sea were however repulsed by the superior Danish navy. The Swedish fleet suffered greatly in several bloody engagements throughout the summer and Danish warships could be seen as far north as the Kalmar Strait.
The first siege of Skåne.
By the end of July the rest of the Royal Army had arrived in Skåne to aid the siege. Only two days later, a huge Danish relieving force disembarked from a large Danish fleet, and the Swedish army was badly beaten at the battle of Eslöv. The army retreated into Västergötland, with the superior Danish army in close pursuit. The Swedish army was beaten again, demoralized from the previous defeat and the long march.
The army withdrew to Svealand, leaving the Danes to pillage Västergötland while reinforcements were brought up. After a month of recuperation the Swedish army was ready to strike back. But instead of attacking the main Danish force to the west, the army marched down the Swedish east coast, through Småland, and back into Skåne. The Swedish fleet also managed to sneak by the Danish patrols, and in December 1441, half of the army was quickly transported over Öresund into Sjælland while the other half remained behind.
By April 1442, the final Danish fortress in Skåne was taken, and only days later a desperate relief attempt was rebutted. In May, the Danish capital in Sjælland fell, and the Swedish army was shipped back over the strait to evict the Danish army still pillaging Västergötland. At about the same time, a small band of cavalrymen from Lappland were busy fighting their private war and occupying the scantly defended fishing communities of northern Norway.
On the 13th of June, the Swedish army met and engaged its Danish counterpart on the fields south of Lidköping in the middle of Västergötland. The battle lasted for 9 days, and when it was over the Swedish army had triumphed over its adversaries. This was the final major engagement of the war. Sensing that the war would soon be over, and not wanting to tie his fate too closely to that of northern Germany, King Karl declined an offer from Holstein to send drill instructors to help improve the Swedish army. Attempts were made to carry the war into Norway, but the Swedish army, consisting mainly of horse, was at a disadvantage in the mountains of Østlandet and had to retreat.
Nevertheless, on the first of August, a Danish delegation arrived at Älvsborg with an offer of peace. The treaty was extremely generous and gave Sweden not only Skåne, but all of Norway north of Trondelag as well. It might appear odd that Denmark was willing to give up so much after such a short fight, but the Danish court was desperate. It had been surprised first by Sweden’s declaration of war, and then by the speed of their advance. Rumours had been circulation that Sweden and the Hansa were planning to split up Denmark and Norway between them.
But there was of course never any conspiracy. The war was simply the result of a seized opportunity, not a carefully planned plot to end Denmark’s existence.
A few pictures of my German allies part of the war.
The situation after the rather unexpected Danish peace offer.
Thus ends the first (and shortest) Dano-Swedish war. I hope the Skåne/Scanian stuff doesn’t cause all too much confusion, but Skånska or Skånian just sounded so wrong.
