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The Battle of Copenhagen, 1801
A leading Danish historian presents a detailed account of the epic naval conflict between Denmark and a British fleet led by Vice Admiral Nelson. Fearing an alliance between Denmark and France, Britain sent a fleet of more than fifty ships to form a blockade off Great Yarmouth to prevent collaboration and ensure its naval superiority. But a series of diplomatic failures sent Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson into battle at Copenhagen. Written by the leading Danish authority on the period, this splendid work brings to life Nelson’s historic victory immortalized by his so famously turning a blind eye to his superior’s order to halt operations. As well as describing the brilliance of the British tactics, the work fascinatingly reveals the desperate action and great bravery displayed by the Danish defenders who suffered appallingly in the fighting.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 20, 2016
Deserves four stars for supplying such meticulous details concerning the Danish defences, the state of the navy, and for highlighting the plight of the neutral nations during the Napoleonic Wars. The arguments concerning which ships could fly the flags of neutral nations and the goods that they could carry without provoking belligerent nations, were of course going to re-emerge during World War 1.
Personally I'd like to have had a little more background into the impact of the French Revolution - if any- upon Scandanavia and the Baltic. Also maps and plans are always helpful.
But found the account of the Danish navy up against the British fleet of Nelson and Parker quite gripping. The tension of the Danish defence caught in such a hopeless predicament , facing a battle that they couldn't possibly win,were conveyed well. And there was the risk that Copenhagen itself could be bombarded by the British. Yet if they didn't engage, the Danes would face the wrath of other powers such as France, Russia and Sweden.
Also interesting to see a more objective view of Lord Nelson from non-British eyes,, though the writer seems to agree that Nelson was a 'warrior rather than a butcher' .
The events post 1801 are somewhat rushed through but the reader is reminded that Denmark's power was substantially weakened by the end of the Napoleonic era. A little more correlation between the events of 1801 and the battle of 1807 would be helpful.
But overall a useful reminder that the Baltic also became a theatre of war in Napoleonic Europe . After finishing this book, wanted to read more about Scandanavia during this era.
Personally I'd like to have had a little more background into the impact of the French Revolution - if any- upon Scandanavia and the Baltic. Also maps and plans are always helpful.
But found the account of the Danish navy up against the British fleet of Nelson and Parker quite gripping. The tension of the Danish defence caught in such a hopeless predicament , facing a battle that they couldn't possibly win,were conveyed well. And there was the risk that Copenhagen itself could be bombarded by the British. Yet if they didn't engage, the Danes would face the wrath of other powers such as France, Russia and Sweden.
Also interesting to see a more objective view of Lord Nelson from non-British eyes,, though the writer seems to agree that Nelson was a 'warrior rather than a butcher' .
The events post 1801 are somewhat rushed through but the reader is reminded that Denmark's power was substantially weakened by the end of the Napoleonic era. A little more correlation between the events of 1801 and the battle of 1807 would be helpful.
But overall a useful reminder that the Baltic also became a theatre of war in Napoleonic Europe . After finishing this book, wanted to read more about Scandanavia during this era.
October 7, 2016
History of the 1801 naval Battle of Copenhagen. Well written, well organized with perspectives from both the British and Danish sides. Author weaves a good mix of the political maneuverings in London, Copenhagen, and St. Petersburg and the tensions between Admiral Nelson and his Commanding officer. Also includes a great account of the naval tactics used by both sides in the battle itself.
March 24, 2021
The battle between Britain and Denmark was one of those set-tos that give war a bad name. Neither side really wanted it, the outcome was never seriously in doubt, if an event a week before in Russia had been known of the battle might not have happened, and yet it could not be called a mistake: both sides felt obliged to go ahead because of the balance of diplomatic and military forces upon them. All this Feldbæk – as translated by Tony Wedgwood – explains with brilliant clarity.
Relatively few accounts of battles are written from the losing side’s point of view, and this is not really one of them. Feldbæk seems to go out of his way to be even-handed, and unblinkingly reports instances of shabby and honourable behaviour from both sides. That is what charmed me most about this book.
There are weaknesses, though. Quite a lot of places mentioned in the text that are not on the maps provided, both in the wider Baltic region (understandable) and local to Copenhagen (not). You will get more out of the book if you can look at supplementary maps. And the vessels used to defend Copenhagen included rafts, a floating battery, repurposed men-o’-war and Indiamen… a baffling assembly that we were assumed to comprehend from the briefest descriptions. Again, going to other sources is needed to get the most out of this book.
Well worth the read.
Relatively few accounts of battles are written from the losing side’s point of view, and this is not really one of them. Feldbæk seems to go out of his way to be even-handed, and unblinkingly reports instances of shabby and honourable behaviour from both sides. That is what charmed me most about this book.
There are weaknesses, though. Quite a lot of places mentioned in the text that are not on the maps provided, both in the wider Baltic region (understandable) and local to Copenhagen (not). You will get more out of the book if you can look at supplementary maps. And the vessels used to defend Copenhagen included rafts, a floating battery, repurposed men-o’-war and Indiamen… a baffling assembly that we were assumed to comprehend from the briefest descriptions. Again, going to other sources is needed to get the most out of this book.
Well worth the read.
March 18, 2025
War at sea, even close to shore was barbaric with cannon balls flying and ships doctors with no anesthetic trying to patch up people with limbs blown off etc. The planning by Lord Nelson was interesting as well as the historical geopolitics of the region with Russia & England vying for power.
June 7, 2016
Excellent look at the reasons behind the battle as well as the aftermath. Denmark was caught between two giants because of its stand on 'offensive neutrality' which eventually led to this battle with Britain. While the author obviously presents Britain's side, it is more the story of the Danes, their bravery and attempts to preserve their hold on Norway. I enjoyed the book, and learned a great deal about the diplomatic moves of the day.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews