1659 in Sweden

Assault on Copenhagen (1659) during the 1658/59 siege

Events from the year 1659 in Sweden

The year 1659 in Sweden was dominated by the ongoing Second Northern War (1655–1660), with military campaigns in Denmark and Prussia playing a central role. King Charles X Gustav ambitious efforts to expand the Swedish Empire faced increasing resistance from a coalition of European powers.

Incumbents

• Monarch – Charles X Gustav (reigned 1654–1660)

Events

• The Assault on Copenhagen begins.
• Swedish occupation of Chojnice.
• 11 February - Failed Swedish attempt to storm Copenhagen. (also known as the Battle of Copenhagen) took place. After a prolonged siege, King Charles X Gustav ordered a major assault on the Danish capital. Despite initial surprise, the Swedish forces were met with fierce resistance from the Dano-Dutch garrison and citizens. The Danish defenders, aided by ice-free sections of the moats, inflicted heavy casualties on the Swedes, who had attempted to cross the frozen waters. The assault ultimately failed, forcing the Swedes to retreat with significant losses. This marked a turning point in the siege, as it became clear that Copenhagen could not be taken by storm. ^[1]
• February–March: A Swedish offensive into Ducal Prussia was launched. A force of approximately 4,000–4,300 Swedish troops, under the command of Paul Würtz and Adolph John I, entered Ducal Prussia. They captured several cities, including Saalfeld, Marienwerder, Mohrungen, and Liebstadt. They also recaptured Dirschau and Stargard, disrupting communication from Danzig into Poland. This offensive aimed to force Frederick William of Brandenburg to withdraw from the war, but despite initial successes, the Swedish gains were not lasting as Polish, Brandenburgian, and Imperial forces launched counteroffensives
• Ongoing Swedish occupations: Throughout the year, Sweden maintained occupations of various territories, including Chojnice (in Poland), Langeland, Falster, Lolland, Nakskov, Fredericia, and Møn (all in Denmark). ^[2]
• End of Swedish occupation of Courland: The Swedish occupation of the Duchy of Courland (modern-day Latvia) concluded in 1659
• Swedish occupation of Langeland.
• Battle of Femerbält.
• Swedish occupation of Falster, Lolland and Nakskov.
• Swedish occupation of Fredericia.
• Swedish occupation of Møn.
• 23 July - The Battle of Ebeltoft occurred.
• End of the Swedish occupation of Courland.
• 14 November - Battle of Nyborg took place on the island of Funen, Denmark. This decisive engagement saw an allied army of Danish, Imperial, and Brandenburgian forces defeat the Swedish army. The Polish cavalry, under Colonel Kazimierz Piaseczyński, played a crucial role in the allied victory. The Swedish forces, estimated at around 7,000, suffered heavy losses, with many either killed or surrendering after intense fighting. This defeat significantly weakened Sweden's position in Denmark. ^{[3] [4]}

Births

• 18 March - Brita Olofsdotter (died unknown date), a Swedish woman from Västansjö, Grangärde
• 15 April - Adam Ludwig Lewenhaupt, general (died 1719)
• 29 April - Sophia Elisabet Brenner, writer (died 1730)
• 15 April - Adam Ludwig Lewenhaupt, general (died 1719)
• 29 September^{[ citation needed ]} - Michael Dahl, painter (died 1743)

Deaths

• Approximately 2,000 Swedish soldiers died during the Assault on Copenhagen on February 11, with many freezing to death in the cold or drowning in the moats. Around 600 bodies were counted outside the city walls, but many more were unrecovered.

• November 14: Colonel Kazimierz Piaseczyński, a Polish military commander leading a cavalry regiment allied with Denmark, was killed while leading a charge against Swedish forces during the Battle of Nyborg.

References

1. German School, Nuremberg, 17th century - Swedish soldiers frozen to death after the battle of Copenhagen, 1659 - Royal Collection Trust. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://www.rct.uk/collection/912167/swedish-soldiers-frozen-to-death-after-the-battle-of-copenhagen-1659
2. MEMORIAL FOR THE SWEDISH OCCUPATION IN 1659 - Art on Edge - Kunst På Kant. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://xn--kunst-p-kant-zcb.dk/by-the-station/memorial-the-swedish-occupation-in-1659/
3. Walk at Slagmarken - The battlefield (4,9 km) - VisitNyborg. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://www.visitnyborg.com/nyborg/plan-your-trip/walk-slagmarken-battlefield-49-km-gdk677625
4. Kazimierz Piaseczyński's Cavalry Regiment in Denmark - Autumn 1659 | PDF - Scribd. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://fr.scribd.com/doc/213235692/Piaseczynskis-Regiment