CHAP. I. Of the Condition of the Kingdom of Den­mark, at the Time of King Christian V. his Accession to the Throne.

KING Frederick III. had by Sophia Aemilia of the House of Lunenburgh, a Numerous Issue, to wit: Two Princes and four Princesses. The eldest was Christian, born in the year 1646, on the 15^th of April, in the Castle of Flensburgh, [Page 30]whilst his Father was yet Arch-Bishop of Bremen, his Grandfather K. Christian IV. being his God­father. The second Anna Sophia born in the year 1647, Married to the then Elector of Saxo­ny, John George in the year 1666. The third Frederick Aemilia, was born in the year 1648. Married in the year 1667. to Christian Adolph the late Duke of Holstein Gottorp. The fourth Gulielmetta Ernestina, Born in the year 1650, given in Marriage to Charles the late Elector Palatine of the Rhine. The fifth was George, Born in the year 1653, and Married to the Lady Anna Stuart, second Daughter of James, then Duke of York and Albany. The youngest Ʋlrica Eleonora Sabi­na, Born in the year 1654, Married to Charles XII. the late King of Sweden.

King Frederick III. after he saw himself delivered from his Foreign Enemies by the late Peace, and from the intestine Divisions by the late remarkable Revolution, applied all his Care in restoring the decayed State of the Kingdom, by new mo­delling his Army, and putting his Frontier Pla­ces in a State of Defence. The Education of his eldest Son Christian he committed to the Ma­nagement of Otto Skade, his Governour, one of the Senators of the Kingdom; and to the Sieur Mathesius, his Tutor, afterwards Danish Resident in the City of Dantzick.

In the Year 1655, the said Prince was by the States of Denmark declared Successor to his Fa­ther Frederick in that Kingdom; and soon after receiv'd Homage accordingly at Wiburgh in Jut­land: The States of Norway following their Example, performed the same in the following Year 1656, at Christiania, the Capital City of that Kingdom; whither he was sent in the Year [Page 31]1661 (the next after the Great Revolution) with a good Squadron of Men of War, under the Conduct of the then Lord Treasurer, Hani­bal Seastede, the Lord Chancellor Reets, and the Archbishop Hans Swana, to receive Homage of the States, as Hereditary Prince.

But King Frederick having observed in this young Prince a most particular Inclination to Martial Exploits, during the last Siege of Co­penhagen, where being animated by the un­daunted Constancy and Bravery of his Father,K. Chri­stian V. Tra­vels. he had given such singular Proofs of his active Spirit, as far surpassed his Age; and being de­sirous to give all possible Encouragement to his Noble Designs, which were to improve himself by Travelling in foreign Countries, he sent him abroad in the Year 1662, under the Conduct of Christopher Parsberg, a Person, who had signa­liz'd himself by his Great Experience in the Management of Matters of the highest Moment, in Consideration of which, he was afterwards dignified with the Title of an Earl, and that of Vice-Chancellor of Denmark. They took their Way by Land through the united Provinces, and the Spanish Netherlands, where after having taken a View of the Chief Cities of those Pro­vinces, they arriv'd at Calais in France, towards the beginning of September, where being met by several Yatchs, sent by Charles II. then King of England, they took the first Opportunity of Tran­sporting themselves into this Kingdom, and ar­riv'd safely in a few days after at London. Here he receiv'd the Compliments of the Chiefest of the English Nobility (being lodg'd in Exeter-House, and defrayed at the King's Charge) and having visited both our Universities, and being [Page 32]created a Knight Companion of the most Noble Order of the Garter, he return'd, after a Stay of two Months, by the Way of Dover into France. There was at that time residing in Paris, in the Quality of Danish Ambassadour Extraordinary, the beforementioned Hanibal Scastede, who, had made himself remarkable by his Conduct in Managing the late Revolution in Denmark. Prince Christian was lodged in the said Ambassadours Pallace, where he received the Visits of all the Princes of the Blood, and of the Duke of Orleans, the French Kings own Bro­ther in particular; and before his departure from that City, was presented by the King with a Sword and Belt set with Diamonds. After a stay of twelve Months in France, he left Paris, in order to pursue his Journey to Italy, but by special Command from his Father King Frederick, was stop't at Grenoble, to return thro' Germany.

Among other Courts of the Princes of the Empire, he visited that of William Landgrave of Hessen Cassel, where he fell in Love with that incomparable Princess Charlotta Aemilia, the Daughter of the said Landgrave; so that after his return into Denmark, he would not rest satis­fied till he had obtained his Royal Father's Con­sent to Marry that Princess; which Match was consummated at the Royal Seat of Amalienburgh, on the tenth day of May in the year 1667.

King Frederick III. happening to die towards the latter end of the year 1669. was succeeded by his eldest Son Christian V. who found the Kingdom involved in great Troubles, by reason of the ill State of the Kingdom, quite exhaust­ed by the late unsuccessful Wars, and the hea­vy Taxes which were of Necessity to be laid [Page 33]upon the People to Maintain a sufficient Force against the Danger that threatned them from an Enemy, whose Power being encreased of late, by their losses, they had all the rea­son to Fear would for the future Improve the Antient Hatred betwixt those two Northern Nations, to his Advantage. For, after the Swedes had once found Means to untie the Knot of that Union which was in former Ages made betwixt these Northern Crowns,The State of Denmark after the death of King Frederick. they made such Encroachments upon their Neigh­bours, as (by degrees) to render themselves formidable to all Europe; whereas some Ages before, they were scarce in a Condition to Cope with Denmark alone. For they Wrested Carelia out of the Hands of the Muscovites which serves them for a Bulwark on the side of Finland; the like they did with the Pro­vinces of Ingermanland, Esthen and Liefland, all very Fertile Countries, the last being the Gra­nary of Swedeland. The City of Riga, the Ca­pital of Liefland, Situate upon the River Duina, being of the utmost Consequence to the Swedish Crown, by reason of its Commerce with Mus­covy, Lithuania and Courland. But what is to be look'd upon as the most Considerable of all, were their late Conquests on the side of Nor­way and Denmark; in the first they had extend­ed their Limits to the Mountains that divide that Kingdom from Sweden, by making them­selves Masters of the two Provinces of Jempter­land and Hchrendahlen; in the last they had Guarded their Frontiers by the Conquest of the Provinces of Halland, Bleckingen, Shonen, and Bahus; the three first of which being Si­tuate on the other side of the Sound, and the [Page 34]last just above it, and consequently Opposite to the Danish Shoar. The Kingdom of Sweden, which formerly lay Exposed to the Danes for above fifty Leagues together, has, by making the Sound the common Foundary of their Do­minions on that side, secured it self against any Attempt of the Danes, which, as the Case now stands, cannot be undertaken thereabouts without a vast Charge and great Hazard.

The Acquisitions of the Swedes in Germany, have been look'd upon by some as of no great Conse­quence to them, by reason of their great distance, they being not to be succoured by that Crown, but by the Baltick; which occasioned a warm Debate among the Swedish Senators, at the time of the West phalian Treaty; some among them being of Opinion, that because they could scarce be maintain'd without a great deal of Trouble, they would rather be a Burthen, than an Advantage to them; and advised therefore, that another equivalent would turn to a much better Account, than those remote Provinces, which, in time, by the Jealousy of its Neigh­bouring Princes, might entangle them in a fo­reign War, at a great distance from Home. But those who were of another Sentiment, urg'd, that they ought not to let slip so favourable an Opportunity to get a firm footing in the Em­pire, by annexing those Provinces with the Kingdom of Sweden, which would entitle them to a considerable Share in the Management of the Affairs of Europe; that by being possess'd of the strong City, and Port of Wismar, and the Maritim Cities of Pomerania, they had a fair op­portunity to encrease their Naval Strength, and to keep a Communication in the Baltick. [Page 35]But what most of all turn'd the Ballance on the side of the last, was, that from the Dukedom of Bremen, they might attack Denmark in its most sensible and best Part on the German side, where the Territories of both the Northern Crowns are divided only by the River Elbe.

The Danes had been made sensible of the Truth of this Maxim to their Cost, in the late War of 1657, 1658, the Smart of which was so fresh in their Memory, that King Christian V. immediately after his Accession to the Throne, made it his Chiefest care to put his Military Af­fairs into such a Posture, as to be able to Cope with so potent a Neighbour, whenever occasion should offer; for which purpose, he ommitted no­thing which he thought might contribute to the Defence of the Kingdom, by raising and re­pairing Fortifications in all such Places as were most exposed to the Attacks of an Enemy, and introducing a good Martial Discipline among his Troops, under the Command of experien­ced and faithful Officers, being for the most part Germans. But there was another Obstacle, which, as it was near home, so it was the more Dangerous; This was the Jealousy conceiv'd at the Proceedings of the Duke of Holstein Got­torp, who owing his Soveraignty over the Duke­dom of Sleswick, obtained by the Treaty of Roshilt, to the Swedes, was supposed to stand in a good Correspondence with that Crown, the better to maintain himself in the Possession of it. 'Tis true, the Danes endeavoured by giving one of their Princesses in Marriage to the said Duke, to link him again to their Interest; but as the Ties of Matrimony very seldom stand in competition with Interest (especially [Page 36]among Princes) so this Alliance was so far from answering the desired Effect, that the Danes found every day new Matter of Jealousy at the Duke's Proceedings, which at last broke out into a Rupture, which is not composed to this day; And these Domestick Divisions have­ing been in agitation for above these twenty Years last past, and are at this time the Chief Entertainment of Europe, we will trace its O­rigin in the following Chapter.

CHAP. II. Of the Origin of the Differences betwixt Denmark, and the House of Holstein Gottorp.

To search to the root of those Diferences, we must go back as far as the Year 1449, when Christian I. Earl of Oldenburgh and Del­menhorst, being elected King of Denmark and Norway, (and afterwards likewise of Sweden) Adolph his Uncle by the Mother-side, was Duke of Sleswick and Earl of Holstein, the first being a Fief of the Crown of Denmark, at least five hundred Years before, the last a Fief of the Em­pire. Adolph dying without Issue, King Chri­stian I. succeeded him both in Sleswick and Hol­stein, and he dying in the Year 1481, left two Sons behind him, John, who succeeded him in the Northern Kingdoms, and Frederick, who was afterwards elected King of Denmark, in­stead of the deposed King Christian II. Son to King John. After the Death of King Christian I. Dorothy of Brandenburgh, his Queen Relict, being a very Politick Woman, who had a most powerful Influence upon the Estates of those Dukedoms, and being extreamly fond of her younger Son, pro­posed to the said Estates, that by vertue of a peculiar Priviledge granted to them by King Christian I. at the time of his Accession to the Throne of Denmark, and afterwards to the [Page 38]Dukedoms; and according to his Last Will and Testament (the last of which was found defective) it was in their Power to chuse, which of his Sons they liked best, for their Prince. John the elder Brother, at the Assembly of the Estates in the City of Kiel, represented to them that his Mothers Demand in behalf of his younger Brother Frederick, was directly opposite to the Feudatory Laws both of Denmark and the Empire, by vertue of which the eldest Son had an unquestionable Right of Succession, which had been confirmed by the Practice of many Ages. He alledged, and not without great Reason, That the Northern Crowns being then elective, if by a more powerful Interest, or any other Sinister Accident his Posterity should be exclu­ded from these Crowns, they would be left de­stitute, whilst the younger House enjoyed the Inheritance of Great and plentiful Territories. These Reasons, founded upon true Matter of Fact, wrought so powerfully upon the Estates (who before were for excluding John from the Succession) that to satisfie in some measure the just Demands of the eldest Brother, and to shew their Passion for the younger, and the Queen his Mother, they pitch'd upon this Expedient, to divide the said two Dukedoms, Share and share alike, betwixt the two Brothers. But their fundamental Constitution, being built upon this Bottom, that they should for ever remain entire, without being divided or dismembred, the said Division was made under certain Conditions of a perpetual Communion and Ʋnion, of which we shall have occasion to speak frequently here­after.

Duke Frederick being after the Deposition of his Nephew King Christian II. Elected King, the two Dutchies of Sleswick and Holstein were re­United with the Crown of Denmark, and the States being by this Time made Sensible of the Inconveniences arisen from this Division, (tho' under the strictest Union that could be) obtained from the said King Frederick, immediately after his Accession to the Throne, to Sign an Act, confirmed by his Oath, That those Dutchies should for ever after be one inseparable entire Body. But his Son and Successor King Christian III. a Prince, who had a great deal of Tenderness for his younger Brothers, did, notwithstanding this, fall into the same Error; and in the Year 1544, make another Division of those two Dukedoms betwixt himself and his two Bro­thers, John and Adolph; the youngest of all, whose Name was Frederick, being provided for by several good Ecclesiastical Benefices, viz. with the Bishopricks of Hildesheim and Sleswick; be­sides that, he was Co-adjutor to the Archbishop of Bremen: and John the second of the Bro­thers happening to die not long after without Issue, his Share was again divided betwixt King Christian III. and his Brother Adolph, the Foun­der of that Branch of the Family, which is call­ed, the Holstein Gottorp Line.

The whole World being surprised at this Division,Ʋnion be­twixt Den­mark and Holstein. contrary to the express Act and Oath of King Frederick I. And the Estates exclaiming against a Procedure, which struck at the very Root of their fundamental Constitution; K. Christian III. thought by founding this Division upon the Basis of a strict Communion and Ʋnion, to satisfy both his Father's Intention and his [Page 40]own Inclinations, which were bent to favour his Brothers. For this purpose, it was agreed, not only betwixt the King and Kingdom of Den­mark and the said Dukes, but also betwixt the several Dukes in respect to one another (as the Words of the said Union in the low Saxon Tongue express it in plain Terms) That there should be a perpetual and inseperable Ʋnion in the Dutchy of Sleswick, and a Communion in the Dukedom of Holstein; by vertue of which (besides, that the first remain'd a Fief of the Crown of Denmark) each had his Share allow'd him, which was left to his proper Management in reference to all private and Domestick Affairs, as also to the Inferiour Courts of Justice; But as to what related to the Superiour Courts of Judi­cature, as to the calling together the States, Impo­sing and Collecting of Taxes, as also all other Matters relating to the Publick Exercise of the Go­vernment, all those, I say, were by Vertue of this Union to remain in Community among them; for which purpose it was thought most expedient, to settle a High Court of Judica­ture, unto which all Appeals were to be brought, and in which Sentence was to be given both in the King and Duke's Names, in which each shou'd Chuse a President in his turn, every other Year.

King Christian III. being Sensible,Reasons for his Ʋnion. that with­out the greatest Injustice in the World, he could not dismember the Dukedom of Sleswick from Denmark, being the Bulwark of that Kingdom on the German side, thought by this Means to Preserve the Soveraignty of it to that Crown, and by the strict Tie and Union of a joint Government and Mutual Defence betwixt them, to provide for the Security of his Poste­rity. [Page 41]This is that Famous Union, made in the Year 1533, betwixt the King and Kingdom of Denmark on one side, and the Dukes of Holste­in on the other, as the present Duke of Hol­stein Gottorp's Ministers would have it; where­as the Danes alledge that it was not only made betwixt the King and the Duke's, as King, but also as Duke of Sleswick from those Words in the Patent of the Union; Wherefore we altoge­ther, one for another, both sides, as likewise each in his own behalf, &c.

This Union was Confirmed,The Ʋnion renewed. Enlarg'd and Ex­plain'd in the Year 1623, betwixt Christian IV. King of Denmark, and Frederick Duke of Hol­stein Gottorp, when, among other things it was expresly Agreed on, That their Posterity should be obliged to renew this Union at the time of their first Accession to the Regency, as is mani­fest from the Copy of the said Union, Printed by the Duke of Holstein Gottorp's Order, in the Year 1696. This Union and good Intelligence continued for above a Hundred and fifty Years betwixt those two Houses; and, if any Diffe­rences happened, they were made up by an A­micable Composition, according to the Tenout of the Union, (of which there are several Instan­ces) till about fifty Years ago, the Foundation of those Differences were laid by Frederick Duke of Holstein Gottorp, in receding from the Origi­nal Union, and siding with that Famous Warri­our, Charles Gustave, King of Sweden.

CHAP. III. The Occasion and Causes of the Differences betwixt Denmark and the House of Hol­stein Gottorp.

THE Precautions taken by the Ance­stors of those two Houses, to Unite them both in Point of Interest and Government, did at last prove too Weak to subsist without a remarkable Inter­ruption; For, after Christina Queen of Swe­den had abdicated that Kingdom, Charles Gustave her Cousin, Prince Palatine of Deuxe­ponts succeeded her; a Man of whom it must be confess'd, that he was Endowed with all Qua­lifications, becoming a King; but withal of an unmeasurable Ambition,Ambiti n of Charles Gustave King of Sweden. and whose Designs were as great as ever any of the greatest Hero's of Antiquity: To confirm which, I cannot pass by in silence, what Monsieur Terlon, who was Ambassadour of the French King to both the Northern Crowns, about that time, says in his Memoirs concerning Charles Gustave King of Sweden, who speaking one day of Denmark and Norway in his presence, said: As soon as I have Conquer'd them, all the other Princes and States will be glad to be quiet, and not trouble themselves to Restore the King of Denmark; and whilst they are busie to out-vie one another by Traffick, I will find a way, what with the Alliances already made, and [Page 43]some others, to unite those Conquests with, and E­stablish my self so well in Sweden, as to make all the Neighbouring Countries, nay even those at a great distance, dread Ʋs. He used often to say, and so would the Earl of Slippenbach, continues Monsieur Terlon: When I once have made My self Master of the North, I will go with a very Potent Army and Fleet, like a second Alaric, to I­taly, to force Rome to submit its Neck once more under the Yoak of the Goths. And to speak the Truth, if we reflect upon the Great Enter­prizes of this King, his Actions were altoge­ther sutiable to the Character given him by this Ambassadour; that he was as active in the Ca­binet Council, as he was in the Camp.

Among other Projects which were contriv'd to compass his Great Designs,His Mar­riage with the Duke of Holstein's Daughter. one of the most refined Pieces of Policy, was his Marriage with Hedwig Eleonore, the Daughter of Fredereick Duke of Holstein Gottorp; For, being sensible that without the Conquest of Denmark, he could not promise himself any Considerable Success against the Empire, he did not question, but by this Alliance to draw that Duke into his Party; by which Means he might facilitate his Conquest on that side, and bereave the King of Denmark, in some measure, of the Communica­tion with the Princes of the Empire; or, at least to put such a Thorn in his Foot, by the Neighbourhood of this Duke, as would disena­ble him to stir, whilst he was putting his De­sign in execution against Poland.

For,His Wars in Poland. no sooner had he secur'd himself on that side, but he began to make Preparations for the Enterprize against the Poles, upon a very weak Pretence; and notwithstanding they sent an [Page 44]Ambassadour to his Court, who offered all the Satisfaction that reasonably could be desired, and that in very submissive Terms; he, not long after entred that Kingdom with his Army, where he carried All before him: These incre­dible Progresses, but especially his Conquests in Prussia, opened the Eyes of All the Princes of Europe, who now began plainly to see, that his Aim was no less than to be Master of the Whole Baltick. Frederick III. King of Denmark, and the Elector of Brandenburgh, being most nearly concern'd, by reason of the Neighbourhood of their Territories, the first upon the Continent of Sweden, the second in Pomerania and Prus­sia, to stop the Carrier of his Victories, entred into an Alliance for that purpose, being underhand back'd by the Emperour and Hollanders: Pursuant to which, King Frede­rick III. who had all the Reason to fear, that the Storm would fall upon him next, began the Fray, by entring the Dukedom of Bremen.

King Charles Gustave, [...] betwixt [...]ark and [...]eden. finding himself attack'd so near home, thought it more for his Purpose to suspend the Execution of his Designs in Poland, than to run the Hazard of losing his Conquests in Germany; for which Reason, having left some Forces in Prussia, under the Command of his Brother, John Adolph, he march'd with all the rest towards the River Elbe, leaving the Brave Ragotzi, Prince of Transylvania, to the Mercy of the Poles. King Frederick III. did flatter himself, that the Union of their Families might be more prevailing with the Duke of Hol­stein, than his Affinity with Sweden; and that therefore the Swedish Troops, tired with the Fatigues of many Engagements and a long [Page 45]March, would not be in a Condition to act for a considerable time, in a Place, where few or no Magazines were erected for their Subsistance; But he found to his Cost, that there had been a secret Correspondence betwixt those two Prin­ces against his Interest for a considerable time before; For, in lieu of opposing their Passage, he provided them with all Necessaries, which enabled them afterwards to push their Conquests into the very heart of Denmark.

The Ministers of Holstein Gottorp, did excuse the Duke's not opposing their Passage, by the Ne­cessity he lay under at that time of preserving an exact Neutrality betwixt two Enemies more Potent than himself,Reasons of the Duke of Hostein to preserve his Country from an imminent Devastation; but the before mentioned Monsieur Terlon, 1 Tom. Mem seems to have un­folded this Riddle, when he says: The Duke of Holstein, besides his near Affinity to the King, (Charles Gustave) was in a strict Alliance with Sweden; and it was he, that expresly sent his own Secretary, the Sieur Pauli, to his Son-in-Law in Poland, to give him an Account of what was transacting in Denmark. And in another Passage, speaking of the Brandenburghers having taken Gottorp, he adds these Words: The Duke of Hol­stein now found to his Cost, 2 Tom. Me [...]r that the War he was engaged in, barely on the Account of his Daughter being Married to the Swedish King, would prove the Ruine of his Country. Which makes him also affirm for a positive Truth, that, when he saw the said Duke Frederick at the time of the se­cond Rupture betwixt Denmark and Sweden, the Duke told him with Tears in his Eyes, that he now foresaw what was likely to befall him, to his unspeakable Grief; and truly not without great [Page 46]Reason, adds Terlon; for this War would inevitably break, past all Reparation, that Ʋnion with Den­mark, which it had been his true Interest to preserve; as on the other side, it was the Interest of the Da­nish King to keep a good Correspondence with the Duke of Holstein. Certain it is, that in this War, where he was only made use of, as a Tool and a Pretence, his Country was likely to suffer more in one Campaign, than could be repair'd in se­veral Years after the Peace was made. Besides, that the Danes Answer to this, that the Neighbour­hood of the Danish Troops would soon have de­livered the Duke of that Fear, at a time, when the Swedish Army was not in a Condition to make head against them, they alledge several unde­niable Instances of the manifest Breach of this pretended Neutrality, some of which we shall have occasion to speak of anon.

It would be both too tedious, and beyond our present Purpose to enter upon the Particulars of this War, the only Matter of Moment, worth our taking Notice of, being, that it end­ed with the Peace of Roshilt, Peace of Roshilt. in which these fol­lowing Articles were inserted in favour of the Duke of Holstein, viz.

That all past Things should be buried in Oblivion.

That Satisfaction should be given to the Duke con­cerning his Pretensions, according as should be judg­ed equitable, and that within a certain limited time. Pursuant to this Agreement, the Duke sent his Commissioners to Copenhagen, who in their Ma­ster's Name made these following Demands:

• 1. That the Duke should be discharged from his Vassalage:
• 2. That the King should surrender to him the Balliage (they call it Ampt) of Swabstede, and some other Possessions;
• [Page 47]3. That he should put into the Duke's hand the strong Fortress of Rensburgh (being the on­ly Bulwark of Denmark on that Side.)
• 4. That the Joint Administration of the Re­gency in both Dukedoms should be abolish'd:
• 5. That the K. of Denmark should pay all the Damages the Duke had sustained in the War; and give sufficient Caution for the future:
• 6. That he should pay several hundred thou­sand Crowns besides, on the account of some old Pretensions; besides several other Demands of the same Nature.

The Danes, who look'd upon these Conditi­ons as too exorbitant, refusing to hearken to those Propositions; the K. of Sweden, whose In­terest it was, by encouraging the Duke in his Demands, to link him the more firm to his Par­ty, and render the Breach betwixt Denmark and Holstein irreparable, did refuse to withdraw his Troops out of the Territories of the K. of Den­mark, before the Duke had receiv'd Satisfaction; Nay, the Duke's Commissioners did not stick to tell the Danish Ministers in plain Terms, that they had Orders in their Pockets, directed to the Swedish Generals, to re-commence the War, if they refused any longer to comply with those Conditions; so, that the Danes, to rid their hands from such unwelcome Guests, saw them­selves under an absolute Necessity of granting to the Duke of Holstein the desired Soveraignty (without prejudice,The Sove­raignty gran­ted the Duke of Holstein. however, to the antient Ʋnion) the Balliage of Swabstede, and the Re­venues of the Chapter of Sleswick; besides some other Matters of less Consequence.

It is known to all the World, that not­withstanding all those Concessions on the Da­nish Side, the King of Sweden found means to renew the War in the same Year, at a time, when K. Frederick III. thought himself secure from all danger, by the late concluded Peace, which he had bought so dearly from the Swedes, Second War betwixt Den­mark and Sweden. with the Loss of no less than all his Provinces, situate on the other side of the Pas­sage of the Sound. And it was at this juncture, that Duke Frederick of Holstein gave new Mat­ters of Complaint to the Danes, in acting contrary to that Neutrality he had before made the Foundation-stone of his late Trans­actions; there are, besides others, two remark­able Instances given of it, which, as they are Notorious beyond Contradiction in those Parts, so, by reason of several remarkable Circum­stances, which attended the first, deserve a place in these Memoirs.

It is therefore to be observed, that after King Charles Gustave had taken a Resolution to finish the Conquest of Denmark by the taking of the Ci­ty of Copenhagen, he feared, not without rea­son, that the Allies of Denmark might March to its Relief, before he could be Master of a Place, which in all likelihood would defend its self to the last Extremity; As he had ta­ken all the imaginable Precautions to prevent the coming of any Succours by Sea, by send­ing a good Fleet into the Sound, and Barrica­ding that Passage with strong Chains, so the only Means to secure himself against any At­tempts of the Danish Allies by Land, was to make himself Master of the strong Fortress of Rensburgh, situate upon the River Eyder, on the [Page 49]Confines of Holstein and Sleswick, but to com­pass it, was a Point not as much as to be aim'd at by the Swedes, at a time, when they had not a sufficient Force thereabouts to Besiege it in form, and if they had had, they would have met with a Brave Refistance from a Faith­ful and Valiant Governour and Garrison.

The only Way then left them being to try their Fortune by another Way, the Duke of Holstein was prevailed upon to send some of his Ministers thither to endeavour to perswade hem by a voluntary Surrender.

Accordingly several Persons being deputed by the Duke, and amongst them the Father of the Governour of the Place (being then in the Duke's Service) they desired a Conference with the Governour and Magistrates of the City, without mentioning the least what Errand they came about; so being admitted into the City, they in a very pathetick Harangue, represented unto them the dangerous Condition the Kingdom of Denmark was in at that time; which having moved the Duke to take Compassion of them, had sent his Deputation to exhort them to pre­vent their impending Ruine by a timely Surren­der to him, which if done, he would provide for their Security, by putting a sufficient Gar­rison in the place, not questioning, but that he would obtain a Neutrality for them from his Son-in-Law, the King of Sweden. The Magistrates thank'd the Duke for his Care; but withal, told the Deputies, that,Faithfulness of the [...] nour [...] of R [...] ­burgh. pursuant to the Alle­giance due from them as good Subjects to His Danish Majesty, they were oblig'd and resolv'd to defend the Place to the utmost Extremity: But the Governour being a Gentleman of that [Page 50]Country, and a Person of Great Honour and Bravery, looking steadfastly all the while upon his Father, who at that time acted the Part of an Orator, told him, not without a great deal of Passion: Dear Father, I could scarce have been perswaded to believe that I should ever hear such a Proposition come from your Mouth, to me; Believe me, you may at this time be glad, you are my Fa­ther; for, without that, I should never have had Pa­tience enough, to have heard you so long, but would have sent you away immediately to the Dungeon, to make you sensible what Punishment such an Inso­lence as this, deserves. The Father, whether moved by his Son's Generosity, or his own In­clination, is uncertain; but he gave him this immediate Reply: My Son, What I have said hitherto, I have done, as being a Servant of the Duke; but what I am going to tell thee now, Take from me as thy Father, That if thou shouldst shew the least Inclination to surrender this Fortress, I would be the first that should call thee to thy face, a Traytor to thy Prince, and unworthy to be call'd my Son. So that by the faithfulness of the Ma­gistrates, and the Governour's Bravery, this Commission came to nothing.

Another Instance of the Duke's Partiality, and his secret Correspondency with Sweden, whilst Denmark was struggling for its Preserva­tion, is alledg'd by the Danes, in the following manner:Partiality of the Duke of Holstein. It feems there was about that time a Swedish Regiment entred the Country of Eyder­stede, in which lies the Fortress of Tonningen, belonging to the Duke of Holstein Gottorp; some of the Danish Auxiliaries having got Notice of it, directed their March thither with a sufficient Body, to beat up their Quarters; but the Swedes [Page 51]not thinking themselves strong enough to stand the Brunt, retreated under the Cannon of Ton­ningen. Here they lay sheltred for some time, till the Allies being reinforced with fresh Troops, were preparing to attack them there; upon which, the Garrison of the Fortress receiv'd them within their Gates.

The Danes exclaimed against this Action, as a manifest Breach of the Neutrality, but were forced to rest satisfied with this framed Excuse, That the Duke had bought the said Regiment from the King of Sweden; the contrary of which appear'd not long after, from a Letter of the Duke's own hand, written to his Secretary Pauli, then residing with the King of Sweden, dated at Tonningen, the 12th of February, 1660, in which he ordered him expresly to repesent to the Swedish King:Is dis [...]ver­ed by an in­tercept [...]. Let­ter. That he was put to a great Nonplus how to keep the said Regiment any longer where it was; and that he would be glad to know how he should dispose of it so, as it might tend most of His Majesty's Advantage: That he intended to have sent it by Sea into the Dukedom of Bremen, but that in so doing he must make a manifest Breach of the Neutrality; That therefore he desired the King's Leave to disband them; but, that notwithstanding all this, he might rest assured, that he would keep them in the Swedish Service to the last Extremity. It is to be observ'd, that just before this Letter was intercepted, Duke Frederick of Holstein Got­torp happen'd to die, whilst his Son Christian Albert, who succeeded him, was in Person in the Swedish Camp before Copenhagen; He had not before been a Spectator together with the King of Sweden, of the Naval Combat betwixt the Dutch and Swedish Fleets, from the Windows of [Page 52]the Castle of Cronenburgh, the first of which, being sent to the Relief of Copenhagen, fought their Way thro' the Swedish Fleet, Forts and Chains, with such Bravery as startled their Ene­mies, who from that time on, lost their hopes of the Conquest of Denmark; whereupon the young Duke took Shipping immediately after, to Tonningen, to take Possession of the Regency of the Dukedoms.

To be short, after the raising of the Siege of Copenhagen, the defeat of the Swedes in the Isle of Fuhnen, Peace of Co­penhagen. and the Death of their Brave King, a Peace was again concluded in the Year 1660, betwixt the two Northern Crowns, by vertue of which, the Duke of Holstein Gottorp was confirm'd in his Sovereignty, but with this ex­press Reserve: That the antient Ʋnions, Joynt-Administration of the Government, the former Covenants betwixt those two Families; and in Gene­ral, all the antient Customs relating to those Duke­doms, should remain in full force, and to be in­violable.

CHAP. IV. What occasioned the Rupture betwixt the late King of Denmark, Christian V. and Christian Albert, the late Duke of Hol­stein Gottorp.

KING Frederick III. had some Reason to be­lieve, that the young Duke of Holstein, having got every thing he desired, would now rest satisfied with his new Acquisitions, and cultivate a good Understanding with Denmark for the future, but this had a quite contrary Effect; For, the Duke thinking it not for his Interest to conside in those, whom he had dis­oblig'd so lately, took other measures; and in the beginning of the Year 1661, not long after the Peace of Copenhagen, entred into a new and a more strict Alliance with Sweden.

Denmark taking the Alarm at this Proceeding,Alliance be­twixt Swe­den and Hop­stein. it was represented by the Duke's Ministers, as a defensive Alliance, made for no other Pur­pose but to secure their new Aquisitions against any Attempts that might be made upon them from Denmark, there being one express Article inserted, That the same should not be prejudicial to the Friendship betwixt those two Families. But tho' it was true, that the said Alliance was penn'd in defensive Terms, yet were the two Articles inserted, which would admit of no other Interpretation, than to have been contri­ved [Page 54]to the great Prejudice of Denmark.

The first was: That in case the King of Den­mark, should, beyond all expectation, recede from the last Northern Peace, and came to the worst of the War, which he should draw upon him by so doing; That in such a Case, the Duke did reserve to himself all his Right and Title to the Royal Part of those Dukedoms, both for himself and his Posterity.

The second is, That the Duke does expresly agree with his Majesty of Sweden, That, if in Case of a Rupture betwixt the two Northern Crowns, that Part of the Dukedoms belonging to Denmark, shall oblige its selt to stand Neu­ter, so, as that not the least Injury or Danger may from thence accrue to the Swedes, the said King obliges himself not to attack or molest them.

Both those Points could not but stick very close in the King of Denmark's Stomach; for to pretend to secure the Succession of the Duke­doms, when there were at least twenty Princes of the Royal Branch alive, who had an unque­stionable Precedency before the Branch of Hol­stein Gottorp, could not but be considered as very foreign to a defensive Alliance; The second tending to no less than to abalienate the King of Denmark's Subjects from the Allegiance due to their Sovereigns, without his Approbation, as it had a near Relation to the first, so the Danes could take it for no less than a strong Presumption to shew how eager the Duke was of getting into the entire Possession of those Duke­doms; but the Remembrance of their late Ca­lamities, and their unsetled State at home, oc­casioned by that Great Revolution, obliged [Page 55]them to pass by those things till a better Oppor­tunity.

The Duke on the other hand, being flush'd by this new Alliance, and by the weakness of Denmark, too this Juncture as the most pro­per to promote his Interest; and being put to a great Nonplus, how to maintain those Forces that were to be kept on foot for their Mutual Defence, pursuant to this Alliance (his ordinary Reve­nues being insufficient) it was proposed to Denmark, that those Taxes,The Dukes incrcach­ments [...]an Denmark. which used to be levied for the common defence of the Country, and were kept in one common Treasury (to prevent the listing of Soldiers without the Con­sent of both Parties) should not be put in the common Rank, but that each party might have Power to collect and keep his own Share.

The Danes were not so insensible as not to perceive the Duke's Intention, but as they were not in a Condition to break with Sweden at that time, so, after many Contestations, they saw themselves under a Necessity to comply with the Duke's desire in the Year 1663. under this Limitation however, that it should be only for a certain time, and not be made use of hereafter in prejudice of either side; for which reason also the said Treasury was not shut up, but the Taxes raised upon the Noble Men's Estates were to be paid in there, as before.

The Duke got a remarkable Advantage by this Concession, being now at liberty to pay his own Troops, who were to swear Fealty to him alone; besides, that the Danes being to provide most of the Garrison'd Places (which belong'd to their Share) the Taxes were not sufficient to answer the Charges they were of Necessity to be at.

The King of Denmark having in the mean while, in some measure, re-setled his Affairs at home, began to make pressing Instances to the Duke, to settle the Gathering and Management of the extraordinary Taxes upon the antient Foundation; but he being unwilling to part with it, new Pretensions were made, founded upon the Patent of King Christian I. who first divided Sleswick betwixt his Sons, John and Fre­derick; in which it is express'd, That the extra­ordinary Tax, (call'd the Land Bede) should be divided equally amongst them. But this Argument could stand them in little stead, considering that the whole Dukedom was re-united with the Crown under King Frederick I. whose Sons (from whom both the Branches of Denmark and Holstein Gottorp are descended) made a new Division and Union, in which there is not the least of it mentioned. Whilst these Contests lasted, the English and Dutch were engag'd in a War in the Year 1665, when King Frederick III. in remembrance of what he owed to the Dutch for their seasonable Relief at the time of the late Siege of Copenhagen, gave shelter to the Dutch East-India Ships in the Port of Bergen in Norway, against the Earl of Sandwich, the then English Admiral; who being vehemently exas­perated against him, and endeavouring to per­swade the Swedes to break with Denmark, he did not think it seasonable to push this Point of the Community of Taxes to the utmost, but rather to link the said Duke to his Interest by a Marriage with his Daughter Frederica Amalia, Marriage of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp. which was consummated in the Year 1667, im­mediately after the Peace was concluded betwixt England and Holland.

But it seems the Ties of Marriage were not strong enough to draw him from the Swedish Inte­rest; for, in the Year 1669, there being a Meeting appointed at Hamborough betwixt the Deputies of Denmark and Holstein Gottorp, in order to compose the Differences arisen betwixt the King and Duke of Holstein Gottorp, on one, and the Duke of Holstein Ploen, on the other side, about the Succession in the Countries of Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst; the Deputies of Gottorp shew'd so much Haughtiness in their deportment, that the first Commissioner of the Duke disputed the Precedency with the second Commissioner of Denmark, and shew'd their Orders for so doing; and tho' the Imperial Commissioner, who assist­ed at those Conferences, employed all his Care and Authority to terminate those Differences in an Amicable manner, yet the Ministers of Got­torp were so far from hearkning to those Pro­positions, that they at several times threatned both the Emperour and the Empire with the Swedes; so that this Negotiation broke off fruitless.

CHAP. V. An Account of the Rupture betwixt Chri­stian V. King of Denmark, and Chri­stian Albert, Duke of Holstein Gottorp.

IN the mean while King Frederick III. hap­pening to die, his eldest Son and Successor, Christian V. being willing at his first Accession to the Throne, to keep a good Correspondence with the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, left no stone unturn'd to compose the beforementioned Dif­ferences, with the Duke of Holstein Ploen, con­cerning the Succession of Oldenburgh. For which purpose, he renew'd the Conferences (after he had refused the Offers of the Duke of Holstein Ploen, who would have made a separate Agree­ment with him) representing to the Duke of Holstein Gottorp's Ministers, how dangerous and inconsistent it was with their common Interest to exasperate the Imperial Court, who took part with the Duke of Holstein Ploen; but those were so puffed up with the Swedish Alliance, and with the Assistance they expected from thence, that, when it was urg'd on the Danish side, that some Regard ought to be had to the Imperial Authority, whose unquestionable Right it was to determine those Differences, the said Coun­tries being Fiefs of the Empire; the Ministers of Holstein Gottorp did not stick to tell them in plain Terms: The best Remedy against the Empe­rour's Authority, is the Sword.

The King of Denmark then being convinced that the Duke had no inclination to satisfie the just Demands of the Duke of Holstein Ploen, and fearing, not without great reason, that those differences might one time or other Embroil him with the Emperour, resolved to put an end to them by an Amicable Composition. For which rea­son, after having made his remonstrations to the Duke of Holstein Gottorp in Person, whilst he was at Copenhagen in the Year 1671, and, afterwards to his Ministers, that in Case they stood it out any longer, he should be obliged to take his own Measures,Differences betwixt Den­mark and Holstein Ploen, com­posed. he effectually brought the Mat­ter to a happy Issue on his side, to the Entire Satisfaction of the Duke of Holstein Ploen.

Things continued thus without any remark­able Alterations till the Year 1672. when the Duke of Holstein Guttorp got himself to be included in the Alliance made betwixt England, France and Sweden; whereupon he not only Augmented his Forces, but also procured an order from the Crown of Sweden, directed to their Generals in Germany, that upon the first Summons from the Duke, they should with all the Forces they could bring toge­ther, March and Act according to the Duke's di­rection.

But this was not all, for,The Duke of Holstein Gottorp re­news his Al­liance with Sweden. in the Year 1674. he renewed the Alliance made with Sweden in the Year 1661. and went in Person to Stock­holm, being accompanied Chiesly by those of his Ministers, who were sufficiently known to be against the Interest of Denmark, the Effects of which appear'd soon after; For, the Duke of Holstein Ploen having obtained a definitive Sen­tence in the Imperial Court against the said Duke of Gottorp, he had Engaged the Swedish [Page 60]Court in his Quarrel, who sent their Letters to the Government of those Countries, to op­pose the Execution of the Emperours Judgment against the Duke; all which being done at a time, when the Swedes were in open Alliance with the Enemies of the Emperour and Empire, gave the King of Denmark sufficient reason to guess what good he might expect from him, in Case he should assist the Emperour, as he was obliged to do, both as a Member of the Empire, and as an Aliy.

It was not long after that the Swedes made an irruption into the Elector of Brandenburgh's Territories;The Swedes Irruption in­to Branden­burgh. This Prince was Marched with his whole Force to the Rhine, to make Head a­gainst the French, and kept the strong Fortress of Brisac, so closely block't up, that in all like­lihood it could not have held out till the end of the Campaign; The French, who knew the Importance of this Place, to Preserve at once this Fortress, and rid themselves of so formi­dable an Enemy upon the Rhine, urged the Swedes; but especially some of the Grandees of the Kingdom, who had the Chief Management of Affairs during the Minority of their King Charles XI. to make the Crown of France some Amends for the large Subsidies they had re­ceived by vertue of the Alliance made betwixt them; Whereupon the Swedes entred the Bran­denburgh Territories with a Considerable Army, not questioning but by so powerful a Diversion, he would be obliged to leave his Prey upon the Rhine, to look after his Affairs nearer Home.

The Allies in the mean while were continu­ally Soliciting the King of Denmark to Suc­cour the Elector of Brandenburgh, who suffered [Page 61]for the common Cause, and the Kings Inclina­tion were altogether suitable to their desires, but being Sensible that if he made the least Motion he must leave his Country exposed to the Mercy of an Enemy, who had his strong Holds in the Heart of his Country; some of the Allies did urge the King to begin with the Duke, and to endeavour to rid his Hands of a Domestick Enemy.

But the King, who was unwilling to come to those Extremities,The Inter­view betwixt the King of Denmark and Duke of Holstein. took a Journey to Ren­sburgh (near which he had appointed the Ren­dezvous of his Troops) with an Intention to try, whether by an Interview with the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, a sincere Amity might not be restored among them; The Duke Arriving at Rensburgh, the 25th of June, in the Year 1675, was receiv'd with the discharge of all the Can­non from the Ramparts of this strong Fortress, and all other demonstrations of Joy, usual upon such Occasions. The next day being the 26th of June, an Express arriv'd with the News of the defeat of the Swedes near Fehr-Berlin, when the King, laying hold of this Opportunity, re­presented to the Duke, that he being oblig'd to march with all his Forces against the Enemies of the Empire, he could not blame him, if, considering what Intelligence he had concerning the Duke's near Engagements with Sweden, he desired him to give him such Security, as might free him from all the suspicion of danger; and that for the rest, he would be ready to contri­bute all what in him lay towards the Composing the remaining Differences betwixt them. The Duke having desired some time to Consider of the Matter, the Gates of Rensburgh were kept shut [Page 62]up, for fear the Duke should dispatch his Mes­sengers to his Governours and the Swedish Ge­nerals, to prevent the Design of the Danes, which was to make themselves Masters of his Strongholds by Force, in case he should persist in his Refusal to surrender them into the King's hands till the Conclusion of a Peace; which the Duke, after a deliberation of eight and forty Hours, agreed to, and sent his Order to the Commander in Chief of Tonningen, Tonningen Surrendred to the Danes. to surrender the said Fortress into His Majesty's hands, which was done accordingly.

This Action was exclaimed against by those who were no Friends to the Crown of Den­mark, as a Breach of the Royal Word, a Vio­lation of the Laws of Hospitality, and an Act, which being forced from the Duke, could not be obligatory on his side. Some have added several other Circumstances of his being con­fined a Prisoner to his Appartment; of his being ill used,The account of Denmark 1692. and put in fear of his Life; and several other Circumstances relating to the Treaty, concluded afterwards betwixt the King and Duke: To this the Danes answer, That the King's Intention was not in the least to put any force upon the Duke at his coming to Rensburgh, What the Danes alledge on their side. but that much about the same time, they receiv'd the News of the Defeat of the Swedes; Letters were sent to His Danish Majesty from one of the Allied Princes, in which was enclosed the Copy of an Order, sent expresly before their Defeat near Fehr Berlin, to the Swe­dish General Wrangel, containing in Substance, That at the Solicitation of the Duke of Hol­stein Gottorp, they had thought fit for him to march with a good Body of Troops forthwith [Page 63]into Holstein, in order to prevent the King of Denmark to join with the Elector of Branden­burgh; unto which was added, that there was a shrewd Suspicion of the City of Hamborough's being included in the Alliance betwixt Sweden and the Duke; the Truth of the first Assertion appears from the Apology of the Count de la Gearde, the Lord High Chancellor of Sweden; and, as to what relates to the City of Ham­borough; I remember very well, that being at that time in those Parts, there were some Let­ters, said to have been found among the Papers of the Baron Kielman, Chief Minister of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, and residing for a con­siderable time before the said City, intimating, that a Promise of such an Alliance had been made by the Sieur Garmers, one of the Syndies of Hamborough; upon which application being made to the Senate from His Danish Majesty, they gave for Answer, that no such thing had been done by their Orders or Consent, which made Garmers to retire immediately out of the Territories of this Commonwealth, for fear, as it was supposed, of being called to an Account for so unaccountable an Undertak­ing.

These were the Motives, say the Danes, which obliged their King to secure the Possession of the Duke's Strongholds to himself, at a Juncture, when there was no small Prospect of Repairing the Losses they had sustain'd in the late War with Sweden; but they constantly deny, that the Duke was under any Confinement, the Gates of Rensburgh having been kept shut up, with no other Intention, than to take away from the Duke the opportunity of preventing His Ma­jesty's [Page 64]designs, by sending his Messengers to their Enemies, till his final Resolution were known. They positively Aver, and appeal to the Testimonies of many then present, That the King offered to see the differences concerning the Countries of Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst, composed, to his Honour; and that the other Matters, especially concerning the Taxes, should be transacted by their both sides Ministers, pro­vided the Duke would secure to him the Posses­sion of his Fortresses till the end of the War; and that the King told the Duke in express Terms, that he should have Liberty to go where and when he pleas'd, if he was resolved not to comply with his desire; but, that in such a Case, he must not blame him, if he sent his Troops immediately into his Territories, and took such other Measures as he should find most conducing to his Safety, at this juncture, when he was ready to assist his Allies against the com­mon Enemy: So that his Complyance may ra­ther be ascribed to the Consideration of his In­terest at this time than any other Cause. The King invited him at the same time to dine with him, and to go abroad with him after Dinner, which the Duke refused to accept of, being ex­treamly Melancholy; which was Chiefly attri­buted to the ill News they had lately received of the Overthrow of the Swedes. Within two days after, the King and his only Brother, Prince George, gave him a Visit, protesting that what had past, was done with no other Intention than for their Joint-Security's sake, and that he ws so far from desiring his Ruine, that he should be ready for the future to do him all the good Of­fices he was capable of. The Duke with a great [Page 65]deal of seeming satisfaction return'd him Thanks, calling God to witness, that he was very glad it was in his Power to oblige his Majesty; and that for the future he would adhere inviolably to his Interest; they din'd the same day toge­ther,Duke of Holstein leaves Rens­burg. and the next Morning the Duke left Rensburgh under the discharge of the Cannon, and return'd to his Residence at Gottorp.

After his departure the Ministers of Gottorp, who were left behind by particular Order from their Master, to regulate the remaining Differences, had frequent Meetings with those of Denmark, who, in one of their first Con­ferences, protested in the King's Name, that they were not met there to constrain the Duke to any thing that was against his Will; unto which the Ministers of Gottorp reply'd, that they did take it so, and, that what they did, was done without Compulsion.

Thus, after many Conferences, a Treaty was concluded betwixt the King of Denmark and the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, on the 10th day of July, 1675. In which, besides some o­ther Matters of less moment,Treaty of Rensburgh. the Duke resign'd the Soveraignty he had obtained by the Peace of Roshilt; so, that all things were thereby set­led upon the antient Foundation of the Union prescribed by their Ancestors. The Duke hav­ing afterwards re-call'd his Ministers from Rens­burgh, after mature deliberation, not only rati­fied the said Treaty, but also sent back to the King the Patent granted him by King Frederick III. by which he was declared independent from the Crown of Denmark; The Duke [...] Ratification [...] and Resignati­on of the Sove­raignty. he likewise writ a form of Resignation with his own hand, by which he renounced all the Advantages he had obtained [Page 66]by the Northern Peace, and engag'd the Bishop of Lubeck, his Brother, to do the same.

As an overplus, he sent some time after the King was return'd to Copenhagen, a Letter writ­ten with his own hand, in which he testified his great Satisfaction in being reconciled to his Majesty, by which means he hoped the antient good Correspondence and mutual Confidence be­twixt their Families would be restor'd; to effect which, he would be ready to contribute what­ever should be in his Power to do.

If all this, say the Danes, is not sufficient to contradict what is alledg'd by some, concerning the Hardship put upon the Duke at the Treaty of Rensburgh, why may not the Peace of Roshilt with the same Right be look'd upon as a Trans­action, wherein Force had the greatest share, to wit: when King Frederick III. being enclosed within his Capital City, by the Encouragement at least, if not Assistance of Duke Frederick of Holstein Gottorp, was put to an absolute Necessity of either losing all, or of redeeming some part of his Kingdoms, with the Soveraignty granted to that Duke.

CHAP. VI. The ensuing War betwixt Charles XI. King of Sweden, and Christian V. King of Denmark and his Allies.

WHilst these things were transacting in Holstein, the Elector of Brandenburgh, The Swedes enter Bran­denburgh. having soon receiv'd Intelligence of the Irru­ption of the Swedes, who carried all before them in a Country destitute of Defence, saw himself under an absolute Necessity of leaving his En­terprize upon Brisac, in order to dislodge the Swedes. These indeed pretended they did not enter the Territories of Brandenburgh with an Intention to commit any Acts of Hostility, but only to oblige the Elector to withdraw his Army from the Rhine, and to accept of a Neutrality; but the Elector, who did not take these Compliments, upon the first Notice, or­dered all his Cavalry and Dragoons to march towards their Native Country, being strength­ned in his March thro' some of the more re­mote Parts of his Territories, with some Foot, whom he ordered to be carried upon Waggons, for the more Swiftness sake.

Thus with long and swift Marches he Ar­riv'd at a Pass called Ratenau, Fortified and Pos­sess'd by the Swedes, Are surpris­ed by the Branden­burghers. who not dreaming of the E­lector's being so near them were very careless in keeping their out-Guards: The Elector find­ing [Page 68]this Opportunity suitable to his Purpose, ordered the Place to be attack't with Sword in Hand, before break of Day, which being done accordingly, they made themselves Masters of it, before half the Garrison could take the Alarm, the Governour being made Prisoner be­fore he had time to put on his Cloaths.

This done, the Elector ordered the Gates to be kept shut, so that no Body should pass in or out, (to prevent the Enemy from getting any Intelligence of what had past) and having call'd together all the Head Officers of his Ar­my, he told them that the only way to rid their Hands speedily of those Unwelcome Guests, would be to Attack them before they got Notice of their Arrival; that indeed, be­ing only Horse, destitute of the Assistance of a sufficient Number of Foot, they would be o­bliged to Fight against a well regulated Army, not without a Considerable Disadvantage on their Side, but that he hoped their Courage would supply this Defect; that, if they were all of his Opinion, they ought rather to venture some­thing, than to see their Estates wasted by a lingring War; There being not one Man there who did not shew a great deal of Chearfulness, and Complyance with what had been proposed by the Elector; he, who knew, that their Main Advantage consisted in Expedition, Marched with his whole Body towards the Enemy, who lay Encamped near a Place called Fehr Berlin, but in so careless a manner, that it might ea­sily be perceived, they expected nothing less, than to be Engaged in a Battle that day, their General Wrangel, being at the same time, with many of the Head Officers and a good Body of [Page 69]the best Troops at a place called Havelbergh. The Swedes had scarce leisure to put themselves in order of Battel, when they were attack't with great Fury by the Brandenburghers, who being most Horse, broke in upon them both in Front and Flank,The Swedes routed near Fehr Berlin. (the Swedes being so posted as not to second one another in due time,) and put them to an entire Rout, most of their Foot be­ing Cut in Pieces; some are of Opinion, that if their General Wrangel, (who had made him­self so Famous in the German Wars) had im­mediately after the Battel, joined the remaind­ers of the Army with his Body, they might, notwithstanding this Defeat, have Maintain'd themselves in the Country of Brandenburgh; but instead of this, he Marched to Wistock, and from thence to the Borders of Pomerania, leav­ing the rest to the Mercy of the Enemies Horse, who pursued them so briskly, that very few of them return'd to the Swedish Camp.

Not long after, the Swedes being declared E­nemies of the Empire at the Diet at Ratisbon, and by the Dutch, King Christian V. having now his Hands at Liberty, to Act wherever he should think it most Convenient for his pur­pose, and considering with himself, that he could scarce have wished for a more favoura­ble Opportunity to recover his lost Dominions, and to reduce the Power of the Swedes, into more narrow Bounds, than at this time, when the Flower of their Forces being lost in their last Defeat, the Elector of Brandenburgh would not be wanting to lay hold of this Opportu­nity, to rid his Hands of those Troublesome Neighbours, by Chasing them out of Pomerania; Besides, that the most Potent House of Lune­burgh, [Page 70]in Conjunction with the Bishop of Mun­ster, Reasons which indu­ced the King of Denmark to break with Sweden. were making great preparations, to Invade the Dukedoms of Bremen and Verden, Provinces un­der the Swedish Jurisdiction in Germany, which by reason of their near Neighbourhood to the Danish Territories (being situate all along the River Elbe) have ever since been a great Eye Sore to the Danes. They had besides this all the reason in the World to believe that the Czar of Muscovy would make use of this jun­cture to make a most powerful Irruption into Livonia, which would infallibly have been put in Execution, if by the sudden Death of the said Czar (His Present Czarish Majesty's Father) the Swedes had not been delivered from that Fear or rather impending Ruine.

These reasons, I say, were so prevailing with King Christian V. that at last he gave Ear to the Solicitations of the Allies, and sent a good Body of Troops the same Summer to the As­sistance of his Electoral Highness of Branden­burgh, Sends some of [...]x Troops to the Assist­ance of the Elector of Branden­burgh. who were very Instrumental in fur­thering the Irruption, which the Brandenburgh­ers made into Pomerania, in spite of the Brave Resistance of the Swedes, who defended their passes to the last Extremity, under the Com­mand of Otto William Earl of Koningsmark, who died afterwards in the Morca, as General of the Ve­netian Forces. After the Brandenburghers had got a firm footing in Pomerania, King Christian V. set down before the City of Wismar, Besieges Wismar. with his whole Army, in the Month of October. This place being situate on the Baltick, is very con­siderable to the Swedes, both for its strength and Situation, this being the only place by which they can keep a Communication by Sea, [Page 71]with the Dukedom of Bremen; and is conse­quently always provided with a good Garri­son, notwithstanding which, and the disadvan­tage of the Season,Is surrend­red to the Danes. the Place was Surrendred to the Danes, after a Siege of Six Weeks, the Swedish Fleet being not able to come time e­nough to its Relief.

The Dukedoms of Bremen and Verden being now destitute of all Relief, unless by the way of the Elbe, which might easily be prevented by erecting some Forts, and placing a few Fri­gots in a convenient Station,The House of Luneburgh attacks the Swedes. the Luneburghers made themselves Masters of those Countries without bloodshed, there being no body there to oppose their Passage, except what was in the City of Stade, which being provided with a good Garrison, but without hopes of being Relieved, they reduced by Famine.

After the taking of Wismar King Christian V. bent all his thoughts to Attack the Swedes with the utmost Vigour in Shonen, situate on the Con­tinent, on the other side of the Passage of the Sound; but this Enterprize being not likely to meet with Success, till the Swedes were beaten at Sea, he continued his Naval Preparations with the utmost Diligence,The Swedes beaten at Sea by the Danes. and being re-infor­ced with a good Squadron of Dutch Men of War, under the Command of the Brave Van Tromp, they Engaged the Swedish Fleet so vigo­rously, that they put them to Flight, with the Loss of several of their best Men of War, a­mong which was the Swedish Ship called the Crown, at that time, supposed to be the biggest in Europe, carrying 120 Guns, and above a thousand Men; tho' it is to be observ'd that this Mischance was occasioned rather by a Neg­lect, [Page 72]than the Enemy, being over-set as she was tacking about by the Guns, which were not well fastned.The Swedes lose their Admiral. falling for the most part on one side. The Ship in which was their Admiral Ʋgla had likewise the Misfortune, to be burnt after it had Fought with incredible Bravery for several Hours, and being quite disabled, was just upon the Point of Surrendring to the Danish Admiral, when the Dutch Admiral Van Tromp sent two Fire-ships, one of which set her on Fire; This was look't upon as an irreparable Loss to the Swedes; for of 1400 Men, that were in the Ship, (among whom were above 300 Volunteers, most Gentlemen of Quality) there escaped not one, the Flame being so furious, as to take a­way from the Enemy it self the Opportunity of saving either the Ship or Men.

After the Danes had cleared thus the Sea of the Swedes, The Danes Land on the Continent of Sweden. King Christian V. being re-inforced with 6000 Munsterians, Landed with an Army of about 26000 Men at Isted in Shonen, not far from Helsingburgh, Take Hel­singburgh. which last place he took with little Resistance; the King of Sweden, who found himself not strong enough to oppose him, being retreated to a great distance, till he could be re-in­forced with more Troops from Sweden, so as to be able to make head against the Danes, who be­ing now Masters of the Field took one place af­ter another;Take Lands Crown. for after the taking of Helsing­burgh they sat down before Lands Crown, which after a Brave Resistance was forced to Surren­der. The City of Christian-stadt being built upon an Island in the midst of a Lake, the Gar­rison thought themselves so secure against any Attempt from the Enemy, that they ply'd their Cups more than their Guards, which over-secu­rity, [Page 73]proved their Ruine; for it happening to be a very dry Season, and the Danes finding the Lake fordable in some places,And Chri­stianstadt by Asault. passed the same, and before the Garrison could put them­selves in a posture of Defence, carried the place by Assault, Cutting all to Pieces that opposed their Passage.

The next year did not prove altogether so prosperous to the Danes, for the King having detatch'd a Body of 4000 Men under the Com­mand of Major General Duncomb to invest Halm­stadt, 4000 Danes routed. the whole Swedish Army got betwixt them and their Main Body; so that being past all Retreating, they were forc'd to fight it out to the last, which they did with incredible Bra­very, most of them being slain upon the Spot, and the rest made Prisoners of War.

The King of Sweden flush'd with this Success, and having received lately a considerable Re-in­forcement out of Sweden, advanced with his Ar­my into Shonen to observe the Danes, who were then employed in the Siege of Malmoe; The Swedish Army posted it self as near as they could with safety to the Danes, who were for preventing any Relief to be sent into the Place; in this Posture they continued for seve­ral Weeks, till what with the Coldness of the Season and the Fatigues and Losses of a long Siege, the Danish Army being considerably di­minished, the King of Sweden attack'd them near Lunden. The Battle was very obstinate on both sides, the Swedes as well as the Danes, being animated by the Presence of their respective Kings, and lasted from Morning till Night. The Danes were superior in Horse to the Swedes, as these out-numbred the others in Foot, of [Page 74]whom they had lost the Bravest in the Siege of Malmoe. The King of Sweden, who command­ed the right Wing of his Army, forced the Danish left Wing to retreat over the River,Battel be­twixt the Danes and Swedes. whilst the right Wing of the Danes, commanded by their King, made the left Wing of the Swedes shrink before them; so, that both Parties fight­ing with equal Obstinacy and Advantage, the Night put an end to the Slaughter, which was very great, there having been found near ten thousand Men slain upon the Spot. In this Bat­tle the King of Denmark, as well as his onely Brother Prince George, who was his constant Companion, wherever he went, signaliz'd them­selves to the Admiration of all the Army, ex­posing themselves frequently to the Enemies Shot, and leading on their Squadrons in Person, so that the Danes attributed the Glory of having shared the Honour of the Day with the Enemy, Chiefly to their Presence.

In the mean while the Elector of Branden­burgh, having made himself master of all the Places of less note in Pomerania, had besieged the City of Stettin, The Siege of Stettin. which defended it self beyond what can be express'd, disputing every Inch of ground with the Brandenburghers; In the mean while the Swedes, to try whether they could withdraw the Elector from that Siege by a powerful Diversion, made an Irruption into Prussia, by the way of Courland; but the Ele­ctor of Brandenburgh having well secured his Passes on that side, they were forced to return without doing any thing, having lost one half of their Army, by Gold, Famine, and several Engagements. In the mean while the Elector push'd on the Siege of Stettin with the utmost [Page 75]Vigour, which being at least reduced to the ut­most Extremity,Surrenders. was forced to surrender to the Elector; The City of Strahlsund, the only then remaining under the Swedish Jurisdiction in Po­merania, was forced to undergo the same Fate; for their Magazines being burnt by the Elector's Bombs, and being bereaved of all hopes of Re­lief,Strahlsund Surrendred. they made an honourable Capitulation. The Elector of Brandenburgh being now Master of all Pomerania, the remainder of the Swedish Forces were, according to Capitulation, to be Transported by Sea into Sweden; but run upon the Sands near Bornholm, where they were Ship­wrack'd, and many of them drown'd, the rest being made Prisoners by the Danes; The Swe­dish Forces Shipwrack' [...]. so that of an Army of 40000 Men (the Swedish Forces in Germany being accounted so strong, before the beginning of this War) there returned very few into Sweden. The Shipwracking of those Forces made a great Noise in those Parts, the Swedes laying the Fault of it upon the Com­modore, and exclaiming against the Danes for detaining those who had escaped the danger of the Wars; The Elector of Brandenburgh by a Declaration cleared himself and his Commander of this Charge, which they imputed altogether to a Misfortune, it happening in a very dark Night; as the Danes did excuse the Action by a Defect in the Pass, which, as they say, entitled them to use those Swedes as Prisoners of War.

But we must return to the Swedes and Danes in Shonen. Both Sides having made all possible Preparations to appear as formidable as could be the next Campaign, the Swedes laid Siege to Christianstadt; The King of Denmark having ap­pointed the Rendezvous of his Army near Lands-Crown, [Page 76]marched (he himself being at the Head of them) towards the Enemy, with a Resolu­tion to give them Battle; But finding the Swe­dish King advantageously posted on a rising Ground, he did not think fit to attack him, but besieged Malmoe.

The place was provided with a strong Gar­rison,The Siege of Malmoe by the Danes. and all other things requisite for a vigo­rous Defence; notwithstanding which the King of Denmark, whose Genius was always for Action, resolv'd to carry on the Siege, which was done accordingly for five Weeks together; the Besieged, encouraged by the nearness of the Swedish Army, being resolved to defend them­selves to the last Extremity; several large Breaches being made in the Body of the Place, the King of Denmark ordered a General Assault to be given, which was done accordingly, but with very ill Success; for tho' the Danes did enter the Breach inspite of all the opposition made by the Besieged, yet those being provided with a good Entrenchment behind the Breach, did so gall the Danes with their Fire-Arms, that it was impossible for them to make a Lodgment there; so that they were forced to retreat with the Loss of 4000 of their best Men.

After this mishap the King of Denmark rais­ed the Siege,The Danes [...] Swedes. in order to March to Lands Crown, but was overtaken in his March, before he could reach that place, by the Swedish Army, who having lately receiv'd a Considerable re-in­forcement, Attack't the Danes, weakned by the last Siege of Malmoe, with such a Fury, that they were forced to retreat under the Cannon of Lands Crown; This being the second Battel Fought be­wixt the two Northern Kings, within the Space of Twelve Months.

This Loss was over-ballanced by two Engage­ments at Sea, in which the Danes were Victorious over the Swedes. For, a Squadron of thirteen Swe­dish Ships coming from Gothenburgh, as they were passing thro' the Belt, in order to join the Swe­dish Fleet, were all taken by the Danes and brought up to Copenhagen, except one, which setting up Danish Colours, escaped thro' the Sound.

Not long after they had another smart En­gagement with the whole Swedish Fleet,The Swedes worsted twice at Sea. in which the last, after the loss of several of their best Ships, were forced to make the best of their way to their Ports.

In the mean while the King of Sweden kept Christian stadt closely block't up, being very difficult to be Attack't in form by reason of its situation in the midst of a Lake; The place being reduced to great Want, the Danish Ar­my Marched to its Relief, but finding all the Posts and Avenues well Guarded by the Swedes, and being not strong enough to hazard a Bat­tel, they returned without attempting any thing; so that the place being reduced to the utmost by Famine, was forced to surrender to the Swedes.

The Loss of this place was in some Measure made good by the taking of Helsingburgh, (which since the Battel of Lunden was regained by the Swedes) This was perform'd by a Stra­tagem,Helsing­burgh taken by a Strata­gem. by sending a supposititious Letter to the Governour, who thereupon coming out of the place, the same was surprized by the Danes; but they had not the same good Luck before Bahus, which after they had Stormed in vain, they did raise the Siege at the Approach of the Swedish Forces, that were Marching to its Relief.

Whilst those things past in the North, the Dutch had made a great step towards the con­cluding a separate Peace with France, under very Advantageous Conditions on their side, which was actually signed on the tenth of Au­gust N. S. in the Year 1678, notwithstanding the solemn Protestations of the Ministers of the other Allies,The Dutch make a sepa­rate Peace at Nimeguen. and the great dislike of the Prince of Orange; the Ratifications of the said Treaty, being after some Contests, exchanged on the 17 of September following, being the day when the Peace betwixt France and the Spainiards (who had been included by the Dutch in the said Peace) was signed.

The Emperour not thinking it for his Advan­tage, to maintain alone the War against France, Concluded likewise a Peace with them on the 5 of February, 1679.

The Danes and Brandenburghers seeing them­selves thus left by their Allies to the Mercy of a Potent Enemy, made most severe Protesta­tions against the Proceedings of the Emperour but to no great purpose; the French King de­claring, by his Embassadours within three Weeks after, to Sir Lionel Jenkins, the Erglish Media­tor, that if Denmark and Brandenburgh did not resolve before the end of March, to give full Satisfaction to the Swedes, he would be at Li­berty to form new Pretensions, which time was however afterwards, prolong'd to the first day of May; But this Truce expired without an­swering the desired Effect, the French Ambassa­dours insisting upon their former Demands of re­storing all to the Swedes, and would have it insert­ed as a preliminary Article, That the King of Denmark should immediately release these Swedish [Page 79]Forces we mentioned before, to have been Ship­wrack'd near Bornholm; which being refused, they seconded their Demands with a good Body of Troops under Lieut. General Calvo, who passing the Rhine, forced the Brandenburgh Ge­neral Spaen, to retreat towards the River Weser; where a sharp Engagement happened near Minden, with the Loss of a good Number of Men on both sides. But whilst the French were prepa­ring to attack Minden, a Messenger arrived with the welcome News that the Peace betwixt the French and Swedish Kings and His Electoral High­ness was Signed at St. Germain, on the 19 of June, 1679,Peace with the Elector of Branden­burgh. according to which the Elector was to restore to the Swedes all he had taken from them in Pomerania, during this last War, except the Lands on the other side of the River Oder and the City of Golnow; That the Swedes were to quit the Toll they used to receive at Colberg, and some other Places in Pomerania, and the French King to pay to the Elector the Summ of 300000 Crowns towards reimbursing, in some measure, the vast Charge he had been at in ma­king those Conquests.

This being all the Satisfaction this Gallant Prince was able to obtain, the Danes had but little Reason to promise themselves any better Terms, especially since the House of Lune­burgh having likewise made a separate Peace with France, they were now left destitute of all Aid from their Allies. King Christian V. seeing himself thus reduced to an absolute necessity of concluding a sudden Peace, Lunden in Shonen was appointed for the Commissioners of both the Northern Crowns to meet, and to endea­vour to effect an Accommodation betwixt their [Page 80]respective Masters, and Mr. Meyerkron was sent into France, to Negotiate the Peace there. But what most of all hastned the Conclusion of it, was a good Body of Horse, sent by the French King, under the Command of the Marquess de Joyeuse, into the Countries of Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst, who exacted great Contributions, so that the Danes being not in a Condition to resist so powerful an Invasion,With Den­mark. a Peace was concluded betwixt France, Sweden and Denmark on the 2^d of September 1679, at Fontaine Bleau, under these following Articles:

I. That there shall be a firm Peace between the said Kings, and every thing done during the War, to the Offence of either, to be bu­ried in Oblivion.

II. That all Alliances made by either of the three Kings, to the prejudice of the other, shall cease and be abolished, and they shall not make any,Articles of the Peace of Fontaine Bleau. which may be so for the future.

III. That Hostilities do cease, within a fort­night, reckoning from the day of the Signing, except in Norway, where three Weeks shall be allowed, by reason of its distance.

IV. That the Treaties of Roshilt, Copenhagen and Westphalia shall be confirmed, with all the Instruments to them appertaining.

V. The King of Denmark promises to restore whatever he has taken from Sweden during this War, viz. Landscorwn, Helsingburgh, Marstrand and Wismar, as also the Isles of Rugen and Goth­land, with all their dependencies.

VI. In like manner the King of Sweden pro­mises to restore what he has taken from the Danes during this War.

VII. That Commissioners shall be appointed by the two Northern Crowns, who shall meet within six Months (a Minister from the most Christian King being present) and shall endeavour to compose all Differences arisen on occasion of Priviledges and Immunities, which the Swedes pre­tend to in the Sound and in the Baltick; provided that the said Priviledges and Immunities do remain in full force and vigour, the Abuses only to be corrected.

VIII. The Places to be restored to Sweden shall be delivered up in the same Condition as they are at present, viz. Helsingburgh, Lands-crown, and all other Places possess'd by the King of Denmark in Shonen, Halland and Bleckingen, together with Carelstadt, and the Fort on the River Swinge within two Weeks, Wismar and the Isle of Rugen within three, Marstrand and the Isle of Gothland within four Weeks, to be reckoned from the Day of the Exchange.

IX. The King of Denmark may take out of the Places to be restored, what Cannon he caused to be brought into them, since they were in his Possession; but the Cannon that were in those Places, when taken and still remain there, to be restor'd with the Places. But if the King of Denmark hath formerly taken out of those Places, the Cannon that belonged to the Swedes, he shall restore the one Half thereof.

X. All Goods and Estates consiscated during the War, shall be restored.

XI. All Persons shall be restored to the Rights and Priviledges they enjoyed before the War.

XII. The Country of Rixengen, belonging to the Count Ahlefelt, confiscated during the War, shall be restored to him.

XIII. All Prisoners shall be released.

XIV. All such Princes as shall desire it, shall be comprehended in this Treaty.

XV. The most Christian King promises, that the King of Sweden shall ratify this Treaty with­in three Months.

XVI. The most Christian King promises to ratify the same within six Weeks.

XVII. The Duke of Holstein Gottorp having ear­nestly desired his most Christian Majesty to endea­vour his Restitution, pursuant to the Treaties of Roshilt, Copenhagen and Westphalia, and having assu­red us that he wished for nothing more, than to be Reconciled with his Danish Majesty; The said King of Denmark, to shew his desire to put an End to the War, and all the Differences in hand, does, at the Desire of his most Christian Majesty agree, by vertue of this Article, That the said Duke of Holstein Gottorp shall be resto­red to his Possessions, Lands, Provinces and Cities, in the same Condition as they now are; as likewise to his Soveraignty (as it is term'd) granted to him by vertue of the Treaties of Roshilt and Copenhagen; so, that whatever has been done and transacted since, shall not be drawn into Consequence in opposition to those Treaty's; which, as well that of Roshilt, as that of Copenha­gen and Westphalia, shall stand and remain in their full Force, as far as they have any Relation to the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, as if they had been inserted word by word in this Treaty. And, forasmuch as the antient Unions and Com­pacts made betwixt the two (Royal and Ducal) Houses, are confirm'd by the said Treaty's, it is covenanted and agreed with the said Duke of Holstein Gottorp, that the said Hereditary Unions and Compacts shall remain in their full force, [Page 83]and be punctually and faithfully observed on both sides, nothing being to be done against them under any Pretence whatever.

This is that Article of the Peace of Fountain-Bleau, which being mentioned and confirmed in the Treaty of Altena, has given occasion to new Troubles betwixt these two Houses; the Ac­count of which, will be the Subject of the following Chapters.

CHAP. VII. The true State of the Difference arisen be­twixt CHRISTIAN V. King of Den­mark, and Christian Albert Duke of Holstein Gottorp, after the Treaty of Rensburgh, till the Treaty of Fountain-Bleau, and Altena.

AFter the Conclusion of the Treaty at Rens­burgh, the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, did not remain long in the same Sentiment; the be­ginning was made with certain Pamphlets, in which the Transaction of Rensburgh, were Paint­ed in the blackest Colours imaginable; at which the King of Denmark being extreamly Surpris­ed, writ in very Obliging Terms to the Duke, to know whether those Things had been done with his Consent, and, if not, to shew his Re­sentment both against those Pamphlets and the Authors of them. The Duke answering in very ambiguous terms; the King sent him word, that since he deny'd him so reasonable a Satis­faction, he could not take it amiss, if he did, [Page 84]so much Justice both to his Person and Himself, as to secure those, who were the Authors and fomenters of those Divisions and Mischiefs, which he protested he was constrained to by an absolute Necessity to prevent a further Rupture betwixt the two Houses, and as a Testimony of his sincere Inclinations towards the Duke, or­dered the Garrison, which he kept in Sleswick, to be removed from thence, offering to give him all further Security he could desire.

The Duke was so alarm'd at this Proposal,The Duke slies to Ham­burgh. that, being then at Eutin with his Brother the Bishop of Lubeck, instead of returning to Got­torp, his ordinary Residence, he went to Ham­borough, where he was no sooner arriv'd, but he began to call in question the Legality of the Treaty of Rensburgh, and within a Year and a Half after, declared it null and void; He offered however, to receive the Investiture of the Dukedom of Sleswick, provided the King would give him Satisfaction concerning certain Points, which being contrary to the said Trea­ty, the King would not hearken to, or at least, not before he had received the said Investiture.

Things continued for some time in this Po­sture, whilst the Queen Dowager of Denmark employed all her Authority and good Offices with her Son-in-Law the Duke, to perswade him to a Compliance with his Majesty's Desires, pursuant to the Treaty of Rensburgh; but the Duke persisting in his former Resolution, the King of Denmark made a Sequestration of the Ducal Share of the Dukedom of Sleswick, al­ledging for his Justification, to be entitled to it, by the Duke's being from his Vassal, become his Enemy. This Sequestration continued till [Page 85]the beforementioned Peace, made at Fountain-Bleau, in which there being inserted an Article, in Favour of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, this gave birth to new Troubles. For, the Duke's Ministers interpreted those Words in the said Article, That whatever has been done and trans­acted since, shall not be drawn into Consequence in Opposition to those Treaties, (to wit: of Roshilt and Copenhagen) as if thereby all what had been transacted and agreed upon in the Year 1675, at Rensburgh, was actually annull'd and made void, without any Exception; Whereas the Danes say, That these Words of this Article are plainly intended no further than of what had been concluded there in opposition to the Treaties of Roshilt and Copenhagen. Now says they, it is manifest that these Articles of the Treaty of Rensburgh, which divest the Duke of Holstein Gottorp of his Soveraignty, are absolutely con­trary to the said Treaties of Roshilt and Copen­hagen; for which Reason also the King of Den­mark has restor'd the Duke to his Soveraignty, and performed every thing else, that was done before, contrary to the said Treaties; But as to what relates to the Imposing and Collecting of Taxes, and the common Defence of the Dukedoms, those Articles of the Treaty of Rensburgh, says they, as they are not opposite to the Treaties of Roshilt and Copenhagen, but have been introduced since contrary to the Union and antient Custom observed betwixt those two Houses, so they have not been abolish'd by this Article of the Peace of Fountain-Bleau. New dif­ferences be­twixt Den­mark and the Duke of Hol­stein.

There being at that time some Differences on foot betwixt his Danish Majesty and his Allies, by reason of the Conclusion of the late Peace [Page 86]at Nimeguen, and Denmark being extreamly weakned by the vast Charges it had been at in prosecuting the War against Sweden, this was look'd upon by the Duke and his Ministers as a favourable Juncture for them, to push the point to the utmost, in order to obtain their End, which was supposed to be to dissolve by degrees the whole Union betwixt those two Houses, the better to link themselves with the Crown of Sweden. The Court of Denmark are very po­sitive in this Point, that they have authentick and undeniable Proofs, in their hands, by which it appears, that the Duke at that very time entred into new Alliances for that purpose, pro­mising considerable Subsidies (such as were be­yond his Power to pay) to some Princes, not well affected to the Crown of Denmark, in case they would send some Forces into the Duke­doms to back his Pretensions. Whereupon the King of Denmark made a second Sequestration of the Dukedom of Sleswick, as far as it belong'd to the Duke's Jurisdiction, and at the same time made his Application to the Imperial Court, to desire that some reasonable Satisfaction might be given him, in reference to the Duke's Share in the Dukedom of Holstein.

Things remained thus without any considera­ble Alteration till the Year 1689, when most of the Princes of Europe being engag'd in a War against France (the two Northern Crowns and Portugal excepted) the Swedes did lay hold of this Opportunity, to endeavour the Restaura­tion of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp. For which purpose they set out a good Fleet, as did like­wise the Danes to oppose them, in case they should go about to second their Threats by [Page 87]Blows; The Allies seeing that this was likely to kindle a War in the North, which must of ne­cessity bereave them of all the Hopes they had conceived of a powerful Succour from thence, against their common Enemy, used all their En­deavours for a Reconciliation; to accomplish which, the Emperour, and the two Electors of Saxony and Brandenburgh, offered their Mediati­on, which being accepted of on both sides, a Treaty was set on foot at a place call'd Altena, under the Jurisdiction of his Danish Majesty, as Duke of Holstein, not above an English Mile di­stant from Hamborough. Great application was likewise made to his Majesty of Great Britain, and the Dutch, as Guarantees of the Northern Peace; the last of which sent Monsieur Heems­kerk, who in conjunction with the Envoy Ex­traordinary from England, had a great hand in bringing the Matter to a Conclusion; But above all, the pressing Instances of his Electoral High­ness of Brandenburgh, who was willing to take away from the Swedes all Pretensions of trans­porting an Army over the Baltick; and the In­tercessions of his Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark, had so powerful an Influence upon the Danish Court, that on the 20th of June old Stile,Peace made at Altena, a Peace was concluded betwixt the King of Denmark and the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, by vertue of which, the Duke was restored to all his Possessions and Rights (yet without the least Reparations of Damages) upon the same foot, as he was possess'd of them by the Trea­ties of Roshilt and Copenhagen; tho' the Holstein Gottorp's Ministers have since endeavoured to ex­tend it to a much larger Compass, of which we shall have occasion to speak more at large anon.

I will only say, that the Conclusion of this Treaty produced this good Effect for the Allies, that the Swedish Forces continued in the Dutch Service, and, by vertue of a Treaty betwixt England and the King of Denmark, the last sent seven thousand Souldiers to our Assistance, which did us considerable Service, both in Ireland and Flanders, to the very end of the War.

And upon this occasion I cannot pass by in Silence the Generous Concurrence of His Royal Highness George Prince of Denmark, in bringing the said Treaty to a happy Issue. It is to be observed, that Pursuant to the last Will and Te­stament of King Frederick III. his youngest Son Prince George, was (besides certain Allotments in Lands) to have the Summ of three hundred thousand Crowns for his Share, which Summ, according to a Liquidation made betwixt his Brother King Christian V. and Christian Alben the late Duke of Holstein Gottorp, From whence arises the debt due to the Prince of Den­mark from England. was to be paid to the said Prince, by the last; who for his better Security Mortgaged to him the Isle of Fehmeren, besides two or three other Ballia­ges, till the said Summ should be paid. Now, pursuant to the late Peace of Altena, the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, being to be restored to all his Dominions, in the same manner as he was possess'd of them, by vertue of the Treaties of Roshilt and Copenhagen, and he plead­ing his unability to satisfy so considerable a Debt, after having been deprived of the Bene­fit of his Revenues, for near thirteen Years last past, His Royal Highness Prince George, not to ob­struct the Execution of the Peace, and to con­tribute all what in him lay towards the remo­ving [Page 89]all occasions of further Differences, did by an unparallel'd Act of Generosity,His Gene­rosity. freely re­sign the beforementioned Mortgaged Island and Balliages into the Duke's Hands, His Present Majesty of Great Britain, the Dutch and Elector of Brandenburgh, having Engaged their Word to satisfy the said Debt to His Royal Highness; pursuant to which Agreement, His Britainick Majesty recommended the said Debt at the o­pening of this Session of Parliament, to their Consideration, with such Success, that the En­glish Share of it is Assign'd to be paid out of the present Aid of two Shilling per Pound.

So, that the Duke of Holstein Gottorp owed this Obligation to his Brother-in-Law Prince George, to see himself once more restored to his Dominions, without the least Incumbrance, the consequence of which was, that the said Duke ever after this last Reconciliation, lived in a perfect good understanding with King Chri­stitan V. notwithstanding some of his Councel­lours endeavoured to sow afresh the Seeds of Dis­cord betwixt them; but in vain, he continuing in the same Sentiment to the very last; of which good Correspondence, one undeniable Instance was the Fortifications of Rensburgh and Tonnin­gen, made by the Mutual Consent of both Hou­ses, the first by the King, the last by the Duke, looking upon those places as the Bulwarks of the two Dukedoms for their Mutual Defence; But this good Harmony ceasing with the said Duke's Life, occasioned those Divisions, which for these four or five Years past have been, and still are on Foot, betwixt the Crown of Den­mark and the young Duke of Holstein Gottorp.

CHAP. VIII. An Account of the Siege of Hamborough, undertaken by King Christian V. in the Year 1686.

BEfore we pursue the thread of our History concerning the Differences on Foot betwixt the two Houses of Denmark and Holstein Gottorp, we must look back as far as the Year 1686, when King Christian V. Attack't the City of Hamborough with great Vigour. It is very well known that the Kings of Denmark lay Claim to that City as being Dukes of Holstein; to examine which, is beyond our present purpose, we will only give a brief Account of the oc­casion which induced the said King to take so Vigorous a Resolution,Differences betwixt the Senate and Commonalty of Hamburgh occasion this Siege. to back his Pretensions. It is therefore to be observed, that there be­ing certain Differences arisen between the Se­nate and the Commonalty of that City some years before, the same were carried on by the Burgh­ers, to such a hight, that the Commonweal was threatned with an Imminent Ruine, by reason of their refusing to pay any Taxes to­wards the support of the Government, before their Grievances were Redress'd, which tended Chiefly to make new Encroachments upon the Authority of the Senate.

To prevent the further ill Consequence of this popular Mischief, it was thought conveni­ent [Page 91]to seek for Redress by His Imperial Ma­jesty, who thereupon sent the Count of Win­dish Graetz, as his Commissioner, to endeavour the Composition of those Differences, which he effected accordingly, by putting a check upon the Ring-leaders of the dissatisfied Party, and confirming the Senate in his Authority.

There was about that time in the Senate, one Mr. Nicholas Crull, a Man of a very active Spirit, who having been formerly a great Patron of the Commonalty in maintaining their Liberties, as long as they contained themselves within their due Bounds, did afterwards, when they trans­gressed their Limits, prove as strenuous an As­sertor of the Senate's Authority, of which he was a Member, and was very instrumental in reducing some of the Leading Men of the Ad­verse Party to their Duty. Those not being able to digest those hard Terms they were under (ac­cording to their Opinion) laid hold of the first Opportunity, after the departure of the Imperial Commissioner, to represent at one of the publick Assemblies of the Commonalty, this Senator as a Person, who had endangered the publick Liberty, and therefore not to be suffered to continue in a Sta­tion, where he might have frequent opportunity to clip their Wings; The Bait of Publick Liberty was so greedily swallowed by the unthinking Multitude, that they were all for removing the said Mr. Crull from his Station in the Senate, and with great vio­lence demanded it; so that the Senate not be­ing able to withstand, after many Contests, their fury, saw themselves under a necessity to Consent, to have the said Mr. Crull, suspend­ed, for the present, of his Function. He see­ing what constraint the Senate lay under by [Page 92]the violence of the unruly Multitude, and ha­ving but little hopes of Redress on that side, made his Appeal to the Imperial Court, who gave Sentence in his Favour, that he should be restored to his Dignity, Offices and Profits. But the Commonalty knowing the Emperour at that time Engaged in a heavy War with the Turks, The Emper­or's Authori­ty slighted by the Ham­burghers. and consequently not in a Condition to force them to a Complyance, made but little Account of the reiterate Mandats sent by the Emperour, to put his Sentence in Execution, whilst the wiser part of the Senate (some of whom sided with the Commons) fearing the ill consequen­ces of it, urged them to a Complyance with the Emperour's Mandats. Among them was one Mr. Meuring who being a very bold Man, did stand up above all the rest for the Senate's Au­thority, and paying due Obedience to the Em­perour, which the Commonalty not approving of, they play'd the same Game with him as they had done before with the Senator Crull, or rather worse; for all on a sudden, without the least fore-warning, they forced the Senate to put him under a Confinement, nor would they suffer him to be released, till he had re­sing'd his Senators place, and made a Declara­tion in Writing, confirmed by his Oath, that he would never endeavour for the Future to be restored to it.

But this Precaution proved fruitless, for Mr. Meuring not thinking himself obliged to an Oath, which was forced from him, he for his own Pre­servation, left the City the next day, seeking for shelter at the Court of the Duke of Lunen­burgh Zell.

The Proceedings of the Commonalty being against all form of Law, he soon obtained a Mandat from the Emperour for his Restauration, which being as little regarded by the Commons of Hamborough, as the former had been, the Em­perour sent his Orders to the said Duke of Zell, as Director of the Circle of Lower Saxony. Mr. Meuring being a Man of a consi­derable Estate,He engages the Duke of Zell in the Quarrel. soon engag'd the Court of Zell in his Interest, so that they not only stop't the Passage of all the Vessels that came down the River towards Hamborough, but at last sent some of their Troops into their Territories, where they were to live upon free Cost, till such time the Hamburghers should comply with the Empe­rour's Mandats.

Things being come to this Pass, the Ring­leaders of the adverse Party were sorely put to a Nonplus what to resolve upon in this Exi­gency of their Affairs, most of the common People beginning to murmur about the Decay of Trade, and the heavy Taxes laid upon them, to maintain themselves against the lawful Autho­rity of the Emperour; so that the adverse Par­ty not knowing what expedient to pitch upon, they began to call in question the Emperour's Authority in relation to the Matter in hand.

This prov'd a wish'd for Opportunity to the King of Denmark, who being resolved to make use of this occasion to improve his Pretensions upon that City, gave all possible Encourage­ment to the Commons, alledging that what was undertaken against the City by the Emperour's Order, was done to his Prejudice: But not satis­fied with this, he unexpectedly appeared with a formidable Force before the City Gates, de­manding [Page 94]to be acknowledg'd as their Protector against the Violency put upon them by the Em­perour; and that in case of a refusal, they must expect to be treated as Enemies.

The Senate of Hamborough not relishing those Propositions,The King of Denmark attacks Ham­burgh. the King of Denmark, seconded his Threats with immediate Blows. There is a Fort of five Bastions (from whence it is called the Star-fort) situate on the Northwest-side of the City in a large Plain; This the Danes at­tack'd the very first Night with Sword in hand, in hopes, that, if they could make themselves Masters of it, they would be able to bring the City to other Terms by a Bombardment: But the Garrison in the Fort being well prepared for the Assault, they were repulsed with great Loss. The Danes were so far from being dis­couraged at this first ill Success,Are twice repulsed. that they at­tack'd it again the next day, with incredible Fury; but the Fort being so conveniently situa­ted, as to have a Communication with some other Outworks belonging to the Fortifications of that City, and consequently being constant­ly supply'd with fresh Troops from thence, they miscarried likewise in the second Attempt:

The King of Denmark and his Generals, be­ing now made sensible that the said Fort, both by reason of its Strength, and the Conveniency of its being relieved with fresh Supplies from the City, was not to be taken by a sudden As­sault, it was resolved to attack it in form, and to endeavour to cut off all Communication be­twixt the said Fort and the City. But in the mean while that the Danes were advancing their Trenches,They open their Trench­es. not only the Luneburgh Forces, that were quartered in their Territories, but also [Page 95]a good Body of Brandenburgh Horse were at the Request of the Senate, come to their Relief; so that, what with those and their own Troops, they had a good Body of regular Forces, con­sisting of near 12000 Men in the City; and the Swedes in the Dukedom of Bremen, had furnish­ed them a good Number of expert Gunners, who not a little annoy'd the Danes in their Trenches. But these working without inter­mission on their Lines of Communication and some small Forts, by which they hoped to pre­vent the coming of any Succours to the Relief of the Starfort, it was resolved among those who had the Command in the City, to endea­vour to dislodge the Danes out of their Works, by making a strong and vigorous Sally; which being put in execution accordingly, with all imaginable Secrecy,Are routed in a Sally. they fell upon the Danes with such Fury, that they cut near 1500 of them in pieces in and near the Trenches, before they could be relieved by their Cavalry, at the Ap­proach of which the Hamburghers retreated to­wards their Gates, the Danish Horse charging their Rear all the while; There happened in this Engagement a certain Action very well worth our Observation; For,Bravery of a Danish Of­ficer. a certain Danish Officer of Horse in the heat of the Engagement entred Pall-Mall with the Hamburgher Troops, thro' the first Gate, when being espyed by the Captain who kept the Guard there, and was going to Discharge his Fusee at him, he Shot him thro' the Head, and clapping Spurs to his Horse, Fought his way thro' those that oppo­sed his Passage, and escaped safely to the Da­nish Camp.

After this Engagement a Treaty was set on Foot by the Mediation of the Elector of Bran­denburgh and the Duke of Lunenburgh Zell; the last coming in Person to his Castle of Hare­burgh, situate on the other side of the River Elbe, just opposite to Hamburgh, to give the more life to the intended Composition; Neither was the English Envoy, then residing in that City, want­ing on his part, to Contribute what lay in his Power, to bring Matters to an Accommodation, by reason of the considerable Interest the Eng­lish Company there, has in its Preservation; so, that after some Debates; during which time the Danes made a Tryal of some few of their Bombs, which because of their too great di­stance, had no Effect, an Agreement was made betwixt the King of Denmark and the City; the main Article of which was, that things should remain in Statu quo, An agree­ment made with the City. without any preju­dice to the King of Denmark's just Pretensions, till the Year 1700, and that in the interim, a good Correspondence should be Cultivated on both Sides.

It was the wonder of all Europe at that time, to see the King of Denmark Attack a City with fifteen or sixteen thousand Men, which by rea­son of the vast extent of its Fortifications and Strength (being five or six Miles in Compass) required rather an Army of three or four score thousand Men to besiege it in due form. It was the general Opinion at that time, that the said Attack would scarce have been undertaken, with­out a secret Correspondence within the Place, and the dissatisfied Party of that City was charg­ed with it, who seeing their Affairs reduced to a desperate Condition, were supposed to have no [Page 97]other Refuge than to the Protection of Den­mark. But on the other hand, this has been constantly denied by the Danes, who declare, that, that tho' their King saw himself obliged in point of Policy to make use of this Juncture, when the Differences betwixt the Senate and a strong dissatisfied Party were risen to the high­est pitch, nevertheless that Court did not keep any secret Correspondence with them. What the Senate of Hamborough alledge on their side, seems not to agree in all Points with this; for they say, that by a Letter sent by one of the Chief Ring-leaders of the Conspiracy, which was accidentally intercepted; they were in­formed of a certain Iron-Chest, hid in a Cellar in a private House, which thereupon being found, and opened in the presence of several Persons of unquestionable Credit and Authority in that City; many Papers of dangerous con­sequence, such as Journals of their Transacti­ons, and several Letters relating to their De­sign were discovered, by which it appeared, that they were entred into a Conspiracy to o­verturn the Constitution of the Government. Thus much is beyond all Contradiction, that two of the Chief of the dissatisfied Faction paid with their Heads for it, their Quarters being put upon the City Gates;Some of the consp [...]ra­tors punished. one of the Se­nators, who was accused to have a hand in the Conspiracy, and was kept under close Confine­ment upon that Account, in order to be brought to his Tryal, died very suddenly during his Con­finement, and was supposed to have poysoned himself, to avoid the Shame of an ignominious Death; several were banished the Territories of the City, and many others, as well Gentlemen as Citizens retir'd into the Danish Dominions.

CHAP. IX. Of the differences arisen betwixt King Christian V. and the young Duke of Hol­stein Gottorp, after the Death of his Father, Duke Christian Albert.

AFter the Death of Christian Albert, the late Duke of Holstein, which happened about the Year 1695, his Son Frederick began to take quite other measures, from what his Father had done of late Years;The young Duke of Hol­stein takes [...]ew mea­sures. For, he not only entred into a more strict Alliance with Sweden, but also took some of their Forces into his Service, and considerably augmented his own Troops, with­out any previous Communication with the King of Denmark. Whereupon the last sent to the Duke two of his Ministers, to wit: Monsieur Lilien Crown, a Member of his Privy Council, and Monsieur Schroeder, to represent to him, that, being, that time of the Sessions of the Pro­vincial Court of Justice did approach, in which, pursuant to the Tenour of the antient Unions, the Duke was to preside as Condominus, for this Year, His Majesty had hitherto put no stop to the calling of the said Assembly, and had con­sented that the Ceremony of the Homage should be performed, provided it were done in due Form, and pursuant to the antient Customs and Constitutions made for the maintaining a constant Union and Communion between the [Page 99]two Houses; but the Duke having transgressed these Bounds by taking Foreigners into his Ser­vice, and making new Levies without his Con­sent, he had ordered his Ministers to desire him, first, to let him know, what Share, by vertue of the deceased Duke Christian Albert's Testa­ment, his younger Brother Christian had in the two Dukedoms? Secondly,Trepositions made to him by the King of Denmark. That he would re­new the antient Union betwixt these two Houses; and thirdly, That he would be pleased to send back the foreign Troops.

The two last he positively refused; as to the first, he ordered his Ministers to give them the following Answer:

That the Duke could not but be extreamly surprised at the King's Demand,His An­swer. to Communi­cate to his Ministers the Contents of his Fa­ther's Testament, to shew his Legal Title to the Inheritance of the Dukedom of Sleswick, being devolved to him by a Legal Right of Succession; and, that therefore he did not think himself obliged to give any further Answer up­on that Account; especially, since he did not remember, that the King, after the decease of his Father King Frederick III. had made out his Title to his Father the Duke Christian Albert; nor did he expect now any thing like it from him. That he was of Opinion that the King of Denmark had not the least concern in his Fathers Testament, he being not made Execu­tor of it; for which Reason also his Majesty had the less reason, to desire the same to be Communicated to him.

This Letter together with the Dukes Reso­lution upon the two other Points, were so ill relishing to the Danish Court, that they gave [Page 100]the Duke to understand that he must not take it amiss, if they should take other Measures, such, as would not be agreeable to him, if he persisted in the same Humour; upon which the Duke declared, that he would Consent to renew the Union, but no otherwise than under certain Re­strictions, and not before he were satisfied con­cerning certain Points, which he claimed by ver­tue of the last Treaty of Altena; all which we shall have occasion to speak more at large of hereafter, when we come to the Point of exa­mining the Reasons alledged on both sides, for their Justification; We will only mention it this place, that the Danish Court looking upon those things as Evasions to avoid, or at least to delay the said renewing of the Antient Union, Matters seem'd to tend to an open Rupture at that time, if by the interposition of those Princes, who had been Mediators at the Treaty of Altena, both Parties had not been prevailed up­on, to endeavour to terminate those Differences by an Amicable Composition.

The King of Denmark, whose Health began then already to be in a declining Condition, be­ing very unwilling to Embroil his Kingdom, was for Contributing all what possible he could to prevent a Rupture, and therefore accepted of the Mediation, provided it could be done without any prejudice to his Legal Right, and ordered his Ministers,Conferences [...] Pinnen­bergh. that at the opening of the Conferences, began at Pinnenbergh in the Year 1696. they should enter this following Pro­test; That the King of Denmark was very wil­ling to Contribute all what lay in his Power to facilitate this Negotiation, provided it might be done without impairing his Right, pursuant to [Page 101]the Antient Unions; and that,The King of Den­mark's Pro­test. if the Duke in the mean while should make any Innovations to his prejudice, he would look upon it, as an actual Breach, and that the Conferences were at an end.

The Ministers Mediators did not only Attest, and insert into their Records the said Protest; But also ageeed upon a Deed, Signed by them with joint Consent,The Decla­ration of the Mediator, at Pinnen­bergh. that those Conferences should not in any wise be interpreted, as prejudicial to the Constitutions of the Antient Hereditary Unions betwixt the two Houses of Denmark and Hol­stein Gottorp; and, that, in Case the Duke should pretend to make any Innovations during the time of those Conferences, They would, by ver­tue of their Authority, as Mediators, prevent the same; and especially put a stop to all new Levies, to the receiving any more Foreigners into his Service, and the finishing these Forti­fications he had begun.

The Conferences being set on Foot upon this Basis, the Ministers of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, putting a quite different Interpretati­on upon the Second Article of the Treaty of Altena, than would be allowed of by the Danes, demanded not only what was granted to the Dukes of Holstein Gottorp by vertue of the Trea­ties of Roshilt and Copenhagen, but also to be Confirmed and Maintained in those things, which were introduced since that time, during the Contests betwixt those two Houses, which they pretended, to be confirmed to them, by the beforementioned second Article, which is as follows:The second Article of the Treaty of A [...]ena

His Danish Majesty obliges himself to Restore to the Duke of Holstein Gottorp all his Lands and [Page 102]Possessions, especially the Seat, called Gods Gift; his Soveraingnty, Royal Rights and Prerogatives of gathering Taxes, making Alliances and erecting Fortifications, to Confirm the said Duke in the Possession of them; as likewise in all his rights and Prerogatives, in the same manner as he was possess'd of them, both before and since the West­phalian Peace, and the Treaties of Roshilt and Copenhagen, till the Year 1675; as likewise all what the said Duke may justly lay claim to by Vertue of the Peacemade at Fountain Bleau; all which beforementioned Treaty's are Confirmed by these presents, &c.

But, whilst both Parties were contesting a­bout the Interpretation of this Article, the Duke's Ministers pretending that thereby the Duke was Invested with a more ample Power than he had before that time; whereas the Da­nish Ministers alledged, that the Words: Hi [...] Majesty restores the Duke to his Rights, in the same manner as he has been possess'd of them both before and since the Treaties, &c. made it evident, that no new Power was thereby intended to be granted to the Duke, but only to Restore to him, what he had been Possess'd of before, by ver­tue of the abovementioned Treaties; whilst, I say, these Contests were in agitation at the Con­ferences of Pinnenbergh, the Duke did perfect his Fortifications, and took more Foreign Troops into his Service, the better to Maintain him­self against those who should oppose it; so, that the King of Denmark to hinder his further Progress, and to shew to the World that he was resolved to back his Protest, offered to the Mediators at the opening of the Conferences, with a sufficient Force, did attack and demo­lish'd [Page 103]the said Forts in the Year 1697. Which having not many Months ago been Rebuilt with Considerable Additions, this has occasion­ed a new Breach between the present King of Denmark, Successor to his late Majesty King Chri­stian V. and the present Duke of Holstein Gottorp, which having made so much Noise in the World of late, it will, I suppose, not be amiss, to mention here the Chief Heads, upon which each Party has founded their Pretensions.

The Differences lately revived betwixt the two Houses of Denmark and Holstein Gottorp, may conveniently be reduced under those three Heads:

First, The Heads of the differ­anese now on foot betwixt Denmark and Holstein. Whether the present Duke of Holstein Gottorp, pursuant to the desire of Christian V. King of Denmark, is obliged to send back those Foreign Troops he has taken into his Service, and to stop his own Levies, made without the Knowledge and Approbation of His Danish Ma­jesty?

Secondly, Whether he is obliged to renew and confirm the Antient Hereditary Unions? And Thirdly, Whether he ought to Communicate the Contents of the late Duke his Fathers Te­stament, as far as it relates to the Succession in the two Dukedoms, to the King of Den­mark?

For the first the Danes alledge the four fol­lowing Reasons:Reasons alledged by the Danes on their side.

(1) Because the Nature of the Communion in both Dukedoms require it;

(2) Because the constant Practice of both this and the former Age Confirm it.

(3) Because the Predecessors of the present Duke have frequently acknowledged it;

And (4) Because it is altogether Conform­able to the Constitution of the Antient Heredi­tary Unions betwixt those two Houses.

The first Argument they prove; Because the supream Authority,The first Argument upon the first Head. and the joint Exercise of Justice plainly evince, that neither Party is entitled to Act separately in any thing relat­ing to the Government, without the Consent of the other; All Proclamations, and other publick Acts, such as imposing and gathering Taxes be­ing Authorised by the Concurrence and in the Name of both the King and Duke. The Pre­lates, Nobility and Cities, not excepted the Ci­ty of Sleswick it self, the ordinary Residence of the Dukes of Holstein Gottorp, being obliged to pay Homage, and take the Oath of Allegiance, both to the Kings of Denmark and Dukes of Holstein Gottorp, at their first Accession to the Re­gency; from whence arises the Words Condo­minus and Condominium, so frequently used both by the late Duke and their Ancestors. Besides, That the Territories allotted to each of those Houses are so intermixt by their Situation, that it is impossible for the Troops of one of those Princes, to March thro' any considerable part of the Country, without passing thro' the other; by which it appears that the Ancestors of those two Houses intended to prevent all pretences of making separate Levies, without a mutual Con­sent of both Parties; so, says they, That the Duke has no more Power to receive any Fo­reign Troops in the Dukedoms, without the Approbation of HIs Majesty, than a private Person has to permit Strangers to take Possessi­on of a House, which he has in co-partnership with others.

As to the Second Argument, they alledge se­veral Instances,The second Argument upon the first Head. by which they prove that it has been the constant Practice observed by both those Houses, not to make any separate Levies, without the Consent of both Parties; it being certain, that the Antient Division and Situati­on of their respective Territories being such, as not to admit of an unlimited Power in this Point, to either side, their wise Ancestors, pursuant to the true Intent of their joint Do­minion, always looking upon it, as the Foun­dation-stone of their safety, to Act in the De­fence as well of their Country, as in the Ex­ercise of the Government, with mutual Consent; the first of which had been introduced into those Countries several hundred Years before it fell to the Oldenburgh Family, as is evident from the several Compacts made betwixt the Earls of the Shauenburgh Family in the Years 1316, 1390, 1397, and 1404 from whence it is, that the Words of Communis Terrae (Sleswicencis & Holsatiae) de­fensio, is so frequently mentioned in the Trans­actions of the Antient Dukes of Sleswick and Earls of Holstein, to wit; in the Years 1226, 1250, 1260, 1264, 1328, 1358, and 1472. Up­on the said Basis it was, that King Christopher III. Built his Union, the States having represented to him, that it would be very dangerous, both to the Prince and Subject, to divide their strength, in Case they should be attack't by an Enemy.

This Practice has been constantly observed till the Year 1657, before which time, no War­like preparations were ever undertaken without Joynt-Consent, the summoning of the Militia of the Country, as well as the Levies of regular Troops being always undertaken, after mutual [Page 106]deliberations in both Sides Names, every one bearing his Share in the Charges, the Officers as well as Soldiers being obliged to take an Oath to the Government in general. The Marches and Enquarterings of the Soldiery, the building of the necessary Forts, and their Defence, the Garrisoning of Places, the Disbanding or aug­menting of their Troops, buying up of Provi­sions, Artillery and other Necessaries, the In­hibitions of further Levies, permitted to Stran­gers, nay, even the entring into foreign Alli­ances, or whatever else had any relation to the common defence of those Countries, being con­stantly transacted with joint Council, and in the Name of both Houses. There are not want­ing Instances, that whenever the Dukes did give but the least occasion of Jealousy upon this Ac­count, the Kings of Denmark were never want­ting on their part to admonish and contradict them, and to demand suitable Satisfaction, which the Dukes used to comply with either by resign­ing those Levies to the Service of the Joint-Go­vernment, as was done in the Year 1559. or else by giving publick Assurance, that they were in­tended for the common defence of the Country, and were accordingly employed in that Service; Two remarkable Instances of which happened in the Years 1631 and 1644, as is evident from the publick Records of those Dukedoms.

As to what relates to the third Point,The third Argument [...] the first [...] which is the acknowledgment of the Predecessors of the present young Duke, viz. That, as they were obliged to contribute their Share to the comon defence of the Country; so they were not entitled to any separate Levies, of this the Danes alledge several Instances in their behalf.

In a Letter written the 10th of May in the Year 1554. the then Duke of Holstein Gottorp Adolph excuses himself to the King of Denmark; That he, for weighty Reasons, had found himself under a necessity to make Levies of some Horse and Foot, in the King's Absence, not questioning but his Majesty would approve his Conduct. And when in the Year 1559. Frederick II. the then King of Denmark conceived a Jealousy at some Levies he had made, he sent some of his Ministers to the said Duke, to be truly inform'd of the Mat­ter, who excused himself, that being then Col­lonel of the Circle of the Lower Sxony (which he had not accepted of but with the King's good liking) he had made those Levies in behalf of the Circle and the Spaniards; notwithstanding which, at an Interview betwixt the King and the Duke at Nortorf, it was agreed, that those Forces, as well Officers as Soldiers, should be taken into their Joint-Pay, and swear Fealty to them accordingly.

In the Year 1611, Christian IV. King of Den­mark, being engag'd in a War with Sweden, it was thought convenient, that some Troops should be raised for the Defence of those Coun­tries; both Houses were so far from undertaking a Matter of such Moment, separately, that, tho' a pressing Necessity required it, both the King and the then Duke of Holstein Gottorp, John A­dolph, did jointly make this Proposition to the Assembly of the Estates at Kiel, desiring that certain Deputies might be appointed, with whom they might treat concerning these Levies, and what depended on them.

The said Duke John Adolph, being summon­ed to furnish his Quota for the defence of the Circle of the Lower-Saxony, in the Year 1613, he would not give them his Resolution, till he had communicated the Matter to the King in his Letter, dated the 25th of November, in these following words:

I was unwilling to give a positive Answer to the Demands of the Collonel of the Circle of the Lower Saxony, or to engage my self in any thing of this nature, without the Knowledge and Consent of Your Majesty, as the Joint Re­gent and Lord of these Dukedoms; for which Reason, I gave them only this Answer, that I could do nothing in the Matter, without the previous Consent of Your Majesty.

There are frequent Instances, that Duke Frederick, the Successor of Duke John Adolph, did acknowledge both by Words and Deed the said Condominium, both in relation to the Civil and Military Administration of the Government; There is a certain Proclamation, dated the 28th of March, in the Year 1620, published under the Names of Christian IV. King of Denmark and Frederick Duke of Holstein Gottorp, which expresly prohibits any Levies to be made in both the Dukedoms without express Leave from both; such another Edict had been published before in the Year 1599; both which be­ing renewed by mutual Consent of King Chri­stian V. and the late Duke of Holstein Gottorp, in the Year 1671, it will not be amiss to insert the Letters which pass'd betwixt them, as far as they relate to that Subject.

An Abstract of a Letter from Christian V. King of Denmark, Norway, &c. to Christian Al­bert, Duke of Holstein Gottorp. Dated Co­penhagen 31 December, 1670.

IT is Notorious, that most of our Neighbours are making strong Levies both of Horse and Foot;King Chri­stian V's Let­ter to the Duke of Hol­stein. and because we have all the reason in the World to fear, that they will endeavour to list what Men they can in our Territories, and it be­ing our Opinion, that the same ought by all means to be prevented in time, before they ex­haust our Territories of the best of our Subjects in this dangerous Juncture. It is for this Rea­son We thought sit to make this Proposition to Your Highness, leaving it to your Consideration, whether it would not be convenient to prohibit all foreign Levies in our Territories, under se­vere Penalties, by a Publick Proclamation; and to enjoin our Subjects not to enter into foreign Service, without our Joint-Consent.

The Answer of Christian Albert, Duke of Hol­stein Gottorp, to Christian V. King of Den­mark, Norway, &c. Dated Gottorp 4 January, 1671.

WE received Your Majesty's Letter,The Duke's Answer. dated the 31th of the last Month; and as We are sensible both of Your Majesty's singular Care in preventing foreign Levies to be made in our Territories, and that our Subjects shall not enter into any foreign Service without our Joynt-Consent, pursuant to the Tenour of Our antient Constitutions; so, We will take effectual [Page 110]Care, that a severe Proclamation shall speedily be publish'd in both our Names, against those Proceedings, which We will before hand send to Your Chancery at Gluckstadt, in order to pass the Seal.

The said Duke Christian Albert was so nice in observing every thing that had the least relation to this Communion, (even after he had obtained the Soveraignty by the Northern Peace) before things came to a Rupture betwixt those two Houses, that when in the Year 1662, he had an Intention of taking a Journey into Holland, he thought fit first to give notice of it to Frederick III. then King of Denmark, as appears from the following Letter.

Christian Albert, the Duke of Holstein Gottorp's Letter, to Frederick III. King of Denmark, Norway, &c. 12 Febr. 1662.

I Thought my self obliged to give Your Ma­jesty Notice of my intended Journey into HOlland; The Duke of Holstein's Letter to King Frede­rick III. which, as I did not judge conveni­ent to undertake without Your Majesty's Know­ledge and Consent, considering the present jun­cture of Affairs, and how inseparably Your Ma­jesty's and my own Interest are link'd together in these two Dukedoms; So, I offer by these presents, both, to Your Consideration and Care, and take this Opportunity of taking most humbly Leave from Your Majesty.

So, when in the Year 1668. His Imperial Ma­jesty in a Letter directed to the said Duke, and dated the 7 of December, desired his Con­currence in granting to him (Engaged in a War against the Turks) the Subsidy, called the [Page 111] Roman Months, then in agitation at the Diet at Ratisbon, the Duke in his Letter to the King of Denmark, dated the 2 of Jan. 1669. says expresly: That he had return'd only a general An­swer to the Emperour, till such a time, that he could know the King's Resolution, in a Mat­ter, which concerned their joint Government.

So, there are many Instances of the said Dukes having opposed the separate jus armorum; (the main thing in dispute now betwixt the two Houses of Denmark and Holstein Gottorp;) The first is concerning a Fort erected by King Fre­derick III. called Preisorth, The late Duke of Hol­stein's Letter to King Fre­derick III. upon which occasi­on Duke Christian Albert, writ to the King of Denmark, the following Letter, dated at Gottorp the 29 of Jan. 1663.

Being informed that Your Majesty's Intention is to re-fortifie the place, called Preisorth, nay, that the same is actually begun, without being in the least Communicated to Ʋs, contrary to Antient Custom; I found my self obliged to re­present this Matter to Your Majesty's Minister residing here, as a Novelty, introduced contra­ry to the Sentiment of the Estates, now Assem­bled at Kiel, and to desire that a stop might be put to it, but without any Effect hitherto, &c.

In the Yeaer 1672. a Difference being arisen betwixt the Ministers of Denmark and Holstein Gottorp, concerning certain Propositions, to be made to the next Assembly of the Estates, which the Danish would have done without the Ap­probation of Duke Christian Albert, he writ the following Letter to King Christian V. dated at Gottorp, the 21 of April 1672.

We desire Your Majesty to consider accord­ing to your great Wisdom,The late Duke of Holstein's Letter to King Christi­an V. that there are no instances to be met with, when Matters relating to the common Defence of those Countries have been un­dertaken, separately, without a previous mature deli­beration in the Assembies of the Estates, and with­out their unanimous Consent; or have been put in Ex­ecution by Your Majesty and my Self, as joint Lords and Dukes of those Dukedoms. Wherefore I promise my self from your Majesty's Generosity, that you will not proceed further in this Matter, without calling together an Assembly of the E­states, or our Approbation, according to Cu­stom; it being certain, that hitherto the E­states have not Consented to any new Preparations to be made for the defence of those Countries, nor have made any suitable Provision for it, pursuant to the Fundamental Constitutions of those Dukedoms, and of the Antient Hereditary Ʋnions, confirmed as such by the last Northern Peace. For which reason it is, that Your Majesty in consideration of this, will be pleased not to re­cede from the Antient Custom, and not burthen us with any Novelties, so, that we may be in a Condition, to transmit the Rights we possess in those Dukedoms, of a joint Dominion, without any blemish, to our Posterity.

When in the next following Year, King Chri­stian V. had ordered an Encampment of an in­considerable Body of Troops in those Parts, he first Communicated his Intention to the said Duke, who thereupon sent him the following Answer;An answer from the late Duke of Hol­stein to King Christian V. dated at Gottorp the 19 August 1673.

We received Your Majesty's, dated at Copen­hagen the 16 of August, by the yesterdays Post, in which you are pleased to tell us, that con­sidering [Page 113]the present dangerous juncture, you think it absolutely necessary, to take effectual Care, that your strong-holds in these Dukedoms may be secured against any sudden Attempts; and that therefore Your Majesty has ordered two thousand Horse and Foot to those Parts, where­of you thought fit to give Us timely Notice; As We give our Thanks to Your Majesty upon this Account, so We don't question but Care will be taken that an exact Discipline may be observed a­mong them in their March, that no Detriment may accrue from thence to our Subjects.

In the Year 1674, the present Emperour being then Engaged in a War with France, desired leave from King Christian V. to make Levies in the two Dukedoms, upon which the said King asked the Concurrence of Duke Christian Albert, as appears from his Answer to the King, Dated the 21 of March, 1674, in which he returns Thanks to His Majesty; assuring him that, tho' no Application had been made to him up­on that Subject from HIs Imperial Majesty, ne­vertheless if His Majesty of Denmark did ap­prove of the Proposition, he should also be rea­dy to comply with it.

The late Duke of Holstein Gottorp's Father and Predecessor, Frederick, has given so many instances of this acknowledgment, as are too many to be repeated here; some few will suf­fice for the present Argument:

There is a Letter from the said Duke Frede­rick, Duke Fre­derick's Let­ter to King Christian IV. to Christian IV. then King of Denmark, da­ted the 24 of December, 1622, in which he pro­poses to His Majesty;

That he thought it absolutely Necessary, that some Levies both of Horse and Foot should be [Page 114]made, the sooner the better; and that, if His Majesty approved of his Resolution, he desired he would give his Directions to his Governour of those Countries, accordingly.

The King's Answer to the Duke, dated the 29th of December following, was: That he had sent Orders to his Governour,The King's Answer. to hasten the said Levies with all possible Diligence, accord­ing to the Duke's desire.

But, before the Duke had receiv'd this An­swer, he sent another Letter, relating to that Subject to the king, dated the 28th of December, 1622, in which he told the King:

That tho' he had taken Care to Summon the Nobility and other Inhabitants, to keep them­selves ready to oppose any Invaders;Another Letter of that Duke's upon the same sub­ject. and that, tho' HIs Majesty had sent his Orders to Berent Peter­sen, to hasten the Complement of his Company, and that with all possible speed; he had already im­parted to His Majesty the Resolution he had taken of Levying a Troop of Horse; nevertheless, consi­dering that a good Body of Foot would be more serviceable to them in Case of an Invasion, he was resolved to order (yet not without His Majesty's Con­sent,) another Company of Foot to be Levied at the Charge of the Country, under the Command of John Schestede; and that he had sent the Commission for His Majesty, if he pleased to Sign it.

The King sent his answer to the said Duke, dated 13 Jan. 1623. telling him that he had Consented to those Levies, and had Sign'd the Commission accordingly.

In the Year 1634, the 4th of May, an Alliance was concluded betwixt those two Princes, one Article of which was: That, according to [Page 115]Custom, no Levies should be made without their Joint-Consent.

The same being renewed in the Year 1636, it was proposed to the Estates, Assembled at Kiel, both in the King and Duke's Name, to raise 2000 Men.

Thus King Frederick III. and the said Duke proposed with joint-Consent to the Estates, As­sembled at Kiel, in the Year 1653, that it would be Necessary to make some Levies, besides what they had on foot already; the same was done at the Assembly of the Estates in the same place, in the Year 1655. And in the Year 1656, the Estates Assembled at Rensburgh, having Consented to some new Levies, the same were made, both in the King and Duke's Name.

Thus in the Year 1657, just before the be­ginning of that War between Denmark and Swe­den, which had almost proved Fatal to the first, it was propos'd to the Estates, then Assembled at Flensburgh, both in the King and Duke's Name, that it would be very requisite to increase their Forces, and to make, (besides the Danish Troops, that were already upon the Frontiers of the two Dukedoms) some new Levies, which was done accordingly, both in the King and Duke's Name.

But there being one most remarkable instance of the acknowledgment of Duke Frederick, con­cerning the Point in question, it ought not to be left past by in silence here.

It is to be observ'd, that in the Year 1633. Charles I. King of Great Britain, sent Mr. Robert Anstruth, as his Envoy to the said Duke of Hol­stein Gottorp, to represent to him the dangerous Condition the Protestants were reduced to at that time, and to concert Matters with him, how to reprieve them from that Danger, that [Page 116]threatned their Total Destruction, unless by giving a Powerful Assistance to them; the Pa­pishes were forced to grant them an Honoura­ble Peace, Some means were also proposed, to endeavour the Restitution of the Elector Pa­batin; upon which the Duke of Holstein Got­torp ordered the following Letter to be sent to King Charles I.

His Highness highly Approves what has been proposed in Your Majesty's behalf,Duke Fre­derick's Let­ter to King Charles I. to attain the desired Peace; but, the Condition of the Duke­doms and the Provinces thereunto belonging be­ing such, as not to permit His Highness to act in this, as well as in other Matters of Moment, separately from His Danish Majesty, contrary to the Tenour of the Antient Hereditary Contracts and perpetual Unions, made betwixt both Hou­ses; by vertue of which every thing is to be Transacted, Deliberated and Decreed with Joint. Counsels; It is therefore, that His Highness will, with the first Opportunity, not only Com­municate this Proposition to the King of Den­mark, but also take it into serious delibera­tion; and, whatever Resolution shall be taken betwixt them upon this Account, shall be Com­municated to His Majesty of Great Britain.

Pursuant to which,His Letter to King Chri­stian IV. upon the same subject. the said Duke Frederick sent his Letter, dated at Gottorp, the 6th of Jan. 1634. to Christian IV. then King of Denmark and Norway, &c.

We thought our selves obliged to acquaint Your Majesty, that His Britannick Majesty did lately send to Us his Envoy Mr. Robert Anstruth, who pursuant to his Orders received from the King his Master, has made several Propositions to Us both by way of Mouth and in Writing, [Page 117]the Contents of which, together with our An­swer, we have sent here enclosed to Your Ma­jesty. We have all the reason in the World to believe, that the said Envoy will in a little time urge our Ministers, for a positive Resolu­tion, and being sensible that the Matter is of such a weight as concerns our mutual Interest. We thought fit, to propose it to Your Majesty's Con­sideration, whether it might not be Conveni­ent, to order our both sides Ministers, who are to meet and to revise some Statutes relating to our Provincial Courts of Judicature, immediately after the Fair of Kiel, to enter into Confe­rences upon the said Point, and to give Ʋs their O­pinion upon it, in order to be ratified by Ʋs.

The Ministers of the Duke of Holstein Got­torp's Reply to this, That the Answer sent to K. Charles I. being to be look't upon no otherwise than a Compliment, ought not to be alledged in their prejudice; but the Letter sent to King Christian V. upon that Account, and the ensuing Conferences seem to put it beyond all doubt.

We will now proceed to the fourth Argument alledged by the Danes upon this Head, viz. be­cause it is contrary to the Antient Unions.

The several repeated Unions betwixt those two Houses, especially those in 1533. and 1623,Fourth Argument alledged by the Danes. are so Famous as to be past all Contradiction, by vertue of which those Dukedoms were in­separably joined both in point of Government and Interest; The Chief Matter objected by the Ministers of Holstein Gottorp against this, is,The Duke of Holstein's objection aga­inst it. that they consider those Unions no otherwise than Alliances made betwixt the Kingdom of Denmark and those Dukedoms, but not as Fa­mily-Contracts made betwixt the two Ducal [Page 118]Houses; To this the Danes Answer, that this Supposition is directly contrary to the Intenti­on of the said Unions, which was the joint De­fence of those Dukedoms, which could not be attained to without such a mutual Obligation; for which reason the said Unions were never till of late Years, consider'd as federa Reciproca only, but as Sanctiones praegmati [...], and the fundamental Laws of those Dukedoms, pursuant to the express Letter of the said Unions, the constant practice of the former Dukes of Holstein Gottorp, and their own Confession; There is a very remarkable Let­ter relating to this head, written by the be­forementioned Frederick Duke of Holstein Got­torp, to Christian IV. then King of Denmark, Nor­way, &c. dated at Gottorp the 22^d of June 1635.

As to what relates to Us, we being sufficient­ly convinced by the express Letter of the Uni­ons;A Letter written by Duke Frede­rick to King Christian IV upon this Head. That not only the Contrahentes and Paciscen­tes, but likewise their Posterity is obliged to the per­formance of them, we are not only resolved to adhere to them (with the help of God) invio­lably as long as we live, but likewise our Suc­cessours are oblig'd to do the same. Neither do We in the least question, but Your Majesty will make a suitable Return, in concurring with Us in the same, as often as occasion shall require, in hopes that the due observance of those fundamental Con­stitutions, made for the joint Interest and Welfare of these Dukedoms, will for the future, as it has done heretofore, tend to our mutual Benefit.

It is evident both out of the preceding, and several others of the beforementioned Letters, how often the Dukes have had recourse to the words of those Unions, when they thought themselves injured in any thing that related to [Page 119]the common Defence of those Countries; and there are not wanting Instances, when they have received actual Relief from the Kings of Den­mark as Dukes of Holstein, not only in Case of an Invasion, but also upon the Account of other Dangers; of which there was a notable Exam­ple in the Year 1623. When the Marsh Lands belonging to the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, be­ing overflown with Water, the Duke claim'd Assistance from the King of Denmark as Duke of Holstein, and that he should bear his Share in the Loss and repairing the Damages sustain'd, by vertue of the Antient Unions. And how is it possible, say the Danes, that since, according to the Confession of the Ministers of Holstein Gottorp, these two Dukedoms, notwithstanding the division betwixt those two Houses, remain one inseparable Body, they should not be oblig­ed to a mutual concurrence in their common defence.

That those Unions are made betwixt the Kings of Denmark and the Dukes of Holstein Gottorp, as the first are Dukes, is confirmed by the Con­stitution of that Court, call d the Court of Au­stregen, in which, not only such Differences as have happened betwixt the Kings of Denmark and Dukes of Holstein Gottorp, as the first were Kings, but also, as they were Dukes, have been decided.

Thus a difference being arisen in the Year 1559, betwixt those two Houses, concerning some Marshlands, situate betwixt Tundern and Flensburgh; and in the Year 1565, concerning the Limits between the two Dukes, John and Adolph, the same werre determined by this Court.

In the Year 1580,The Court for determin­ing the differ­ence betwixt the two Houses. there happened a remark­able Difference betwixt Frederick II. King of Denmark and Adolph Duke of Holstein Gottorp, concerning the Inheritance of the deceased Duke John; upon which, some of their Mini­sters were deputed with Joint-Consent, to ex­amine, and endeavour to adjust this Point; but being not able to agree in the Matter, it was judged convenient, with both sides Approbation, to refer the Whole to the decision of their re­spective Kinsmen, viz. to the then Elector of Saxony, Ʋlrick Duke of Mecklenburgh, and Wil­liam Langrave of Hesse. Pursuant to which A­greement, the said Princes sent their Deputies to Hadersleben, who in conjunction with the Danish and Holstein Ministers, re-assumed the Conferen­ces on the 24th of June, 1681, and brought the same to a happy Conclusion on the 12th of August next following.

Thus, in the Year 1632, when King Christian IV. had begun to erect a Fort, which was after­wards called Christiansprice, without the Consent of Frederick, then Duke of Holstein Gottorp, he thinking himself aggriev'd in this Point, made his Appeal to the said Court, constituted by ver­tue of the antient Unions,Duke Fre­derick's Let­ter upon that subject. as appears by his Let­ter, written to the said King Christian IV. dated at Gottorp the 20th of July, 1632.

I hope Your Majesty will not refuse to desist from the said Fortification, till the Arguments and Rights of both sides may be examined and composed, according to the true Meaning of the antient, and since renewed Ʋnions betwixt the Crown of Denmark and our Ancestors; or by our both sides Ministers deputed for that Pur­pose; or, if that should not succeed, by the de­finitive [Page 121]Sentence of an Umpire; pursuant to the antient Custom and Constitutions, founded upon Equity.

It will not be beyond our purpose to insert here the Chief heads of the Transactions which happened betwixt the King of Denmark and the late Duke of Holstein Gottorp, Christian Albert, in a Case, concerning the division of some Limits near List and Silt, the Rights of some Oyster-Pits, and other Matters of no small Conse­quence; forasmuch as they shew the manner of of Proceeding in this Court, by the said Duke's own Confession.

They deputed an equal Number of their Mi­nisters,The man­ner of pro­ceeding in this Court. who being released from their Oath of Fidelity, had full Power granted them by ver­tue of a Patent, dated the 5th of November, 1667, to examine, debate, and decide the Mat­ter in Question, and, in case of a Parity of Votes, to appoint an Umpire for the decision of the Matter.

Pursuant to which the Conferences were opened in the Year 1668, in the City of Tun­dern, by reason of the nearness of that Place, to those in question, (the City of Coldingen be­ing otherwise appointed by the Antient Consti­tutions, for this Court to Sit in) where the Differences being carefully examined the refer­red to the determination of those Deputies, their Votes were found equal, so, that with mutual Consent it was agreed to leave the final deter­mination of it to an Umpire. In reference of which the late Duke of Holstein Gottorp, Christi­an Albert, writ the following Letter to Frederick III. King of Denmark, dated at Gottorp the 31 of October, 1668.

Your Majesty has been doubtless informed how the Matter under debate of our both sides Commissioners at Tundern, A Letter of Duke Fre­derick to the King of Den­mark con­cerning the Ʋmpire. must, (by reason of the equality of their Votes,) be referr'd to the Arbitration of an Umpire. It is evident from our Records, that in such Cases as this, when­ever any Princes have been Chosen for the de­cision of Differences arisen between these two Houses, they used always, after they had taken a full Information of the whole Matter in que­stion, to depute three of their Minisers, fitly qualified for so Great a Trust, who, after ma­ture deliberation, were to give their definitive Sentence, by the Majority of Votes. This has been very wisely instituted by our Ancestors, who were the Authors of the Antient Ʋnions; and did not think it reasonable that both Your Majesty's and our Rights should depend on the Judgment only of a single Person, but that a certain num­ber of Delegates should be appointed by the Umpire, instructed with a sufficient Authority, to examin the Merits of the Cause on both sides, and after a mature deliberation, to proceed to Judgment, without any Respect to Persons. Thus in the Year 1576, the then Elector of Saxony, being agreed upon for an Umpire, he deputed Volekmar Van Bentish, the then Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Leipzick; John Van Seidlitz, Governour of Thuringia, and Veit Winsheimb, a Professor of the Law in the Univer­sity of Wittenbergh, who in the same Year, by the Majority of Votes, decided the Differences in Hand. Being therefore fully convinced that no private Person can be a Competent Judge of those Differences but that they ought to be submitted to the decision of such Delegates as [Page 123]are impowred with a sufficient Authority by the Umpire, We have thought fit to propose to Your Majesty on our side the Administrator of Magdeburgh, or Duke Ernest of Weymar Gotha, leaving it to Your Majesty to propose on Your side, whom you shall Judge most Convenient.

But because both Parties Insisted upon their proposal, the Matter did remain undecided for that time.

There are three other Letters written by the same Duke upon the Account of this Court of Austregen, to King Frederick III.Another Letter from that Duke upon the same subject. of which we will give you the Contents as far as they have any relation to this Head.

The first is dated at Gottorp the 14th of Sep­tember, 1665.

It could not but be highly acceptable to us, when we understood that Your Majesty had re­solved to put an end to those Differences, which have been depending for a considera­ble time, betwixt those two Houses, and for that purpose had appointed six Assessors on Your side, pursuant to the Constitution of the inseparable Ʋnions of both Houses; and, We sincerely declare to Your Majesty, that We aim at nothing more, than that an end may be put those differences, to our both sides Satisfaction; Our Intention being to insist upon nothing, but what can plainly be proved to belong to Ʋs; not doubt­ing, but, that Your Majesty's Intention in this, as well as in all other Actions of Your Life, will be conformable to what Justice and Reason shall allow of. It is therefore that We thankfully accept of Your Majesty's Offer, desiring, that you would be pleased to send Us the Names of the said Assessors, and what Time and Place is to [Page 124]be appointed for their Meeting; as likewise to propose in Your behalf an Ʋmpire, in case of equa­lity of Votes. I thought it likewise absolutely requisite to put Your Majesty in mind, that, [...] any of those Assessors chosen by both Par­ties should be under any Tye of Allegiance, either as Ministers or Subjects to either of Ʋs, they ought not only to be released of the said [...], but also to be obliged by an Oath, [...] the Matter according to Justice, and, [...] Matters cannot be brought to an Accommodation, to give Judgment according to the best of their Knowledge. So recommending Your Majesty to God's Prote­ction, &c.

The second Letter dated at Gottory, His second Letter velat­ing to this Subject. the 16th of October, 1665. is as follows:

We have understood with a great deal of Sa­tisfaction out of Your Majesty's Answer to Ours, dated at Copenhagen the 10th of this Month, that you have appointed the Arbitrators on your side, for the Accommodating, or if that should not succeed, the determining the Differences in hand, and that they are to meet accordingly on the 14th of the next Month of November, in Your City of Coldingen; For which reason al­so, We have appointed as our Commissioners, Paul Rantzau of Boetcamp, Detlof Ahlefelt of Hei­ligenstede, John Adolph Kielman of Satrupholm, Hans Henry Kielman, Hans Rantzau of Potloes, and Dr. Cramer, who are to meet at the ap­pointed time and place, in order to endeavour to put an end to the Matter in question.

The third Letter is dated at Gottorp the 10th of February, His third Letter 1666. [Page 125]Out of Your Majesty's Letter, dated the 6th of Febr. at Copenhagen, which was delivered to Us yesterday, We understand, that your Inten­tion is to have a certainTerm prefixed for the determining the Differences about the Divi­dent, and some other Matters in question. We thankfully acknowledge Your Majesty's Care, not questioning, but that tho' hitherto, for weighty Reasons, no great Progress has been made in the Matter, yet that the Endeavours of our both sides Commissioners at Coldingen, will before long come to such an issue, as may fully restore the good Understanding that has always been betwixt our Families: Wherefore We desire Your Majesty, that in case any griev­ances are left to be decided, to communicate them to Us, that no Seeds of discords may remain hereafter; We will take effectual Care, that, the same shall, after due Examination, be communicated to the Commissioners at Coldingen, together with our Instructions against the pre­fixed time, being the 20th of March, by which means We hope the Differences about the Di­vident, as well as other Grievances may be re­dress'd, and the whole Matter brought to a hap­py Conclusion.

The Minsters of Holstein Gottorp Alledge in opposition to this, that in the Year 1672, when the late Duke Christian Albert, urged the late King of Denmark, Christian V. to have the Dif­ferences arisen betwixt them, concerning the investiture and some other Matters relating to the Contributions, determined by this Court of the Austregen, His Majesty refused the same, as is manifest from His Letter written to the said Duke upon this Subject, dated the 30th of Jan. 1679. These are his Words:

Much less can the Union be extended thus far as to decide the Investiture and Vassalage it self;King Chri­stian V's Let­ter to the Duke of Hol­stein, 1629. because these are the very Foundation of all the Antient Contracts, and therefore destroy the Union it self; in which such differences are to be decided, as may arise from the [...]ear­ness and intermixture of the Territories, of both Houses. Besides, that it is a very unusual thing among Soveraigns, to submit such Mat­ters as Concern their Royal Prerogatives, to the decision of others, as being inconsistent with the Nature of their Soveraignty; neither is there any instance to be given, of such a Deci­sion.

To this the Danes Reply, that the Chief thing then in question being the Investiture and Vassalage of the Dukedom of Sleswick, the same did not fall under the Cognisance of this Court of Ʋnions, the same being expresly ex­cepted in the Ʋnion Contract, made in the Year 1533. In Answer to the rest, they say, that there being at that time an open Rupture be­twixt the King and the Duke, the first did not think himself obliged to refer himself to the Antient Contracts and Unions; But the same be­ing since restored and confirmed as well by the Peace of Fountain-Bleau as that of Altena; and all what past during this Rupture, being thereby buried in Oblivion, both sides are now obliged to remain steadfast to the said Fa­mily-Contracts, unless they will Act contra­ry to the true intent of the said Treaties.

The Partizans of the Duke of Holstein Got­torp do further Plead the Jus armorum, Plea of the Duke's Party for the Jus ar­morum. and con­sequently the Power of fortifying Places, and Garrisoning the same, from the very nature [Page 127]of Soveraignty; Would it not, say they, im­ply an Absurdity for the Duke to be invested with the Soveraignty, and all Rights and Prero­gatives thereunto belonging (which was actually done in the Treaties of Roshilt and Capenhagen) and at the same time to have the actual exer­cise of one of the Chief Acts of Soveraignty de­ny'd him? This would be no more than a Sha­dow without Subtance, and a bare Title to a­muse the World.

To this the Danes reply, that there being no­thing more obvious, than that several Princes of Europe, who are called, Soveraigns, and are actually such, nevertheless have no power to ex­ercise all and every Act of Soveraignty with­out Limitation, they cannot sufficiently admire,The Dane [...] Reply. how the Ministers of Holstein Gottorp should look upon this Restriction as a Paradox; What, say they, can a Prince not be a Soveraign, that is engag'd in, and limited by certain Contracts made with another Prince? Who can question the Soveragnty of each particular Province of the Ʋnited Netherlands? Nevertheless by Ver­tue of their Union and fundamental Contracts, they are obliged to make no Alliances, Peace or War, without Joint-Advice and Consent. It is taken for granted, that neither the Empe­rour nor the French King think themselves im­paired in their Soveraignties, because by the Treaties of Munster and Reswick (as especially appears from the 18, 20, and 25 of the last) they are limited in their Prerogatives of For­tifying places; Besides, that there are several Instances of Family Contracts amongst the Princes of the Empire, who think themselves not a Jot the worse upon that account. At that [Page 128]rate they must call in question the Soveraignty of the Grand Seignior himself, because in the several Treaties, but especially in that of the year 1664, made with His Imperial Majesty, he has for ever renounced his Right of fortifying Zeckemheyet, and the Fort near Canisha.

Another Argument made use of by the Duke of Holstein's Party, is, that it cannot but be look'd upon as an unreasonable thing, for any Body to be debarr'd of the Priviledge of dis­posing and managing his own Inheritance as he thinks most convenient, which in effect, the King of Denmark pretends to do.

This Argument, reply the Danes, answers it self, it being evident that the King and Duke are Joint-Lords of those Dukedoms; and the Nature of all things in joint-Possession being such, as not to admit of being disposed of at the Pleasure of one of the Parties; Besides, that it is a Mistake that a Man may act in his own Inheritance as he pleases, it being evident that he ought to take care not to annoy his Neighbours; and the most Potent and Soveraign Princes themselves are always very cautious in giving offence, nay even in creating a Jealousy in their neighbouring Nations.

It is beyond all Contradiction that the Trea­ties of Roshilt and Copenhagen, from whence the Duke derives his Soveraignty, have not granted the same to him without Restriction, as is evi­dent from the Patent granted to the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, upon the account of this Sove­raignty, by King Frederick III. in the year 1658, in which are these following Conditions.

1. That the Nobility, Estates and Cities, nay all the Subjects shall be inviolably maintain'd in [Page 129]the possession of their Lands and Goods;Conditions relating to the Sove­raignty of the Duke of Holstein Got­torp. as likewise in their Rights, Liberties and Privi­ledges, as well Ecclesiastical as Civil.

2. That neither any considerable part, or the whole Share of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp in the Dukedom of Sleswick, shall be abalienated to the Prejudice of the Kings of Denmark, but shall remain in the same State it is now, as long as there are any Male Heirs living of Duke Fre­derick of Holstein Gottorp.

3. That this Grant shall not in any wise be prejudicial to the former Contracts; but espe­cially to the antient inseparable Ʋnion, which in all its Points and Clauses (except what has been agreed upon concerning the remission of the In­vestiture) shall remain in full force and vi­gour.

But the main Stress of the Argument made use of by the Duke's Ministers to back their sepa­rate Jus Armorum, Contest a­bout the In­terpretation of the second Article of the Treaty of Al­tena. is taken from the Interpre­tation of the second Article of the Treaty of Altena, made in the Year 1689; In which it be­ing express'd, That His Majesty of Denmark shall restore to the Duke his Soveraignty, with the Rights of raising Money, making Leagues and Alli­ances, of building and possessing Fortifications, &c. they infer from thence, that the Duke is there­by invested with an absolute Power, in relation to those Matters therein mentioned, without any previous Communication with the King of Denmark.

In Answer to this, it is alledged on the Da­nish side, That the Ministers of Holstein Gottorp have extorted an Interpretation of the said Ar­ticle, meerly to serve their own Turn; it being evident from the Words; His Majesty of Den­mark [Page 130] shall restore to the Duke, The Danes Answer to this. &c. that thereby he had not the least granted him of any other Power, but what he was possess'd of be­fore and after the Treaties of Westphalia and of the North, till the Year 1675; as likewise by the Treaty of Fountain Bleau, as the express Words of the said Article make it plainly appear; which Treasties are also confirmed by the same Article. Now, say the Danes, it is certain that by neither of those Treaties a separate Jus Armorum was granted to the Duke, as is evident from the Contents of them, beforemen­tioned, by the Practice observed betwixt the two Houses since that time, before things came to a Rupture; and by the repeated Confessions and Acknowledgment of both sides, some of which have been inserted before: For which Reason also, effectual Care has been taken in all the beforementioned Treaties, to insert a Clause for the Confirmation of the Family-Compacts and Antient Ʋnions, made betwixt the two Houses of Denmark and Holstein Gottorp, as may be seen, especially in the Treaty of Altena, the fifth Ar­ticle of which, is as follows:

As to what relates to Ʋnions, Family-Contracts, and other Agreements made to the Year 1675;The fifth Ar­ticle of the Treaty of Altena. as also the Communion and other Customs used to that Day, shall remain in force, no less, than what had been expresly and literally determined, in relation to this Matter by the Treaties of West­phalia, of the North, and of Fountain-Bleau, &c.

These words give us, say the Danes, so plain an Interpretation of what has been mentioned in the second Article of the same Treaty, concerning the Duke's Soveraignty, that it needs no further Answer; the Ʋnions, Communion and Family-Con­tracts, [Page 131]being expresly preserved in their fill vi­gour by this as well as the preceding Treaties, of Westphalia, of the North, and Fountain-Bleau, therein mentioned.

The infraction made by the present Duke of Holstein Gottorp upon the Rights of the late King of Denmark, Christian V. by receiving Fo­reigners into those Dukedoms, at a time, when the State of the King's Health was in an almost desperate Condition, seems to be taken notice of in favour of the Danes by the Ministers Mediators of Pinnenbergh, The Letters of the Mini­sters Media­tors to the Duke of Hol­stein. who upon that ac­count writ a Letter to the said Duke of Hol­stein Gottorp, dated the 5th of August, old Stile, 1699, in the following terms:

We the Ministers Mediators, have beyond all hopes, and to our great Dissatisfaction under­stood, that Your Highness has not only received into those Dukedoms a certain Number of Swe­dish Troops from Wismar and the Dutchy of Bremen; but also makes further Preparations to erect some Forts, and that in such Places, where never were any before; Hitherto it is only by Fame and some private Letters, that We are informed of those things; For Mr. Wed­derkop, Your Highnesses Privy Councellour, did not think it worth his while, to send an An­swer to a Letter, which I (the Court of Eck) with to him upon this Subject, about a Week ago, or to give Us the least notice of it other­wise, besides what he declared to the Ministers Mediators in general, pursuant to the Intru­ctions he received (as he told us) from Your Highness; tho' at the same time this might ve­ry conveniently have been done, in Honour and Respect to the Mediators: We don't at this time [Page 132]pretend to call in question Your Highnesses Jus Armorum, and whatever other Rights may be­long to you; nevertheless We cannot but put you in mind, that the respective Princes Media­tors, our Principals have declared several times, both at the opening of the Conferences, and since that time, that Your Highness should not suffer any Prejudice in his legal Rights, by Suspending the Ex­ercise thereof for the present; which also you did accept of, as is evident from the Resolute taken by You at the Intercession made in that behalf, to stop the same for the Love of Peace, and to fa­cilitate the Conclusion of the Treaty. We are well satisfied, that the Princes Mediators, who have empower'd Us, will be very well pleased to see Your Highness persist in the same Sentiment, which will free them from the apprehension, which otherwise they may take at this Enter­prize. It is for this Reason, that We the Mi­nisters Mediators, think our selves obliged both in point of Conscience, and of the Trust re­posed in Us, and to convince the World, that we have done hitherto, and continue to act with all possible Application for the Preservation of the publick Tranquility and that We will not be answerable for the ill Consequences, which may attend it; and therefore request Your Highness with all due Respect, that you would be pleased, to send back those Swedish Forces, which you have received into those Dukedoms, contrary, not only to the Constitutions of the Em­pire, by causing them to march through the Territories of some of the Princes and States of the Empire, without their knowledge; but also to the no small Prejudice of His Majesty of Denmark, who thereupon has made his Com­plaints [Page 133]to Us, because thes Troops did pass thro' se­veral Balliages, which are under your Joint-Do­minion; and that for the rest, Your Highness will likewise be pleased to leave things in Sus­pence, till such time, that we have received the Answers we expect from our Principals, &c.

But it is time to proceed to the Second propo­sition made by King Christian V. to the present Duke of Holstein Gottorp, The second Proposition concerning the Renewing of the Ʋnions. which concerned the renewing of the Antient Unions; This was at first positively denied by the Dukes, but upon further Consideration comply'd with, but under this Restriction, that it should be done as soon as the Duke had received Satisfaction concern­ing certain Points, which he said, were not executed according to the Tenour of the Trea­ty of Altena. The pretensions made upon this Account consists Chiefly in this, that the Duke of Holstein demands Restitution to be made to several of his Ministers of what had been taken from them before, and the Resti­tution of the Lordship of Gods-Gift (Gods Gabe) according to the express words of the said Treaty.

Unto this the Danes Answer,The Danish Argument upon this Head. that they have Contributed all what could be expected from them, towards the Execution of the Treaty of Altena; That in relation to the Satisfaction due to the Ministers of Holstein Gottorp, they had assign'd to them several real Debts, due from the Duke their Master to the King of Denmark, which they having accepted of at that time, it was their own Fault, if this Satisfaction did not prove to their Content.

As to the Second; which Concerns the Seat, called, Gods Gabe, they don't in the least deny, but, that the same has been expresly stipulated to be restored to His Highness, which would have been put in Execution acordingly, if there were not a certain Clause inserted in the [...] Article of the said Treatise, by vertue of which, the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, obliges him­self to withdraw his Action which he had la [...]d against the House of Holstein Ploen in the Imperial Court. This Action concern'd Chief­ly the annulling of certain Contracts, made some time before with the House of Holstein Plo [...]n, by which the last was entitled to the Possession of the beforementioned Seat of Gods Gabe. And the same being since that time Surrendered by the House of Ploen to Duke August of Norburgh, the King of Denmark could not but look upon it, as a very odd pretence, to desire that the said Duke of Norburgh should be put out of Possession, in order to have it re­stored again by the Duke of Holstein Gottorp.

This it was that induced the late Duke of that Name, not to insist upon the Restitution of the said Lordship, but, when after the Con­clusion of the Treaty of Altena, Commissio­ners were appointed on both sides, to termi­nate by an Amicable Composition, some incon­siderable Differences yet remaining betwixt Denmark and Holstein Gottorp; the Duke would not as much as have it mentioned among the rest, only desiring His Majesty, to prevail by His Authority with the Duke of Norburgh, thus far, as to come in Person to His Court at Go­torp, and to pay him some Acknowledgment upon that Sco [...]e, which was done accordingly by the said Duke of Norburgh.

Accordingly this Point having never been call'd in question since, as long as the late Duke Christian Albert lived, neither could it be done under any legal Pretence, for the Rea­sons beforementioned, the King of Denmark look'd upon this Matter to be past all further Contest.

Notwithstanding which,The King of Denmark's Declaration upon this Head. this Point being closely insisted upon by the Ministers of the present Duke, the King of Denmark, to re­move any Obstacle that might retard the re­newing of the said Unions, sent these follow­ing orders to his Ministers.

We have received Yours, out of which we see, what is passed betwixt You and the Mi­nisters of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, on the Account of the present Differences; and, that the Duke has at last consented to the renew­ing of the Unions, provided we on our side will give him Satisfaction concerning certain Points, which, they pretend, are to be termi­nated as yet, pursuant to the Treaty of Al­tena, &c.

As to what relates to the renewing of the Unions, the Duke ought to have explain'd him­self more at large upon that Account, pursu­ant to the Tenour of that perpetual Union, made in the Year 1623. But, if he remains resolved to insist upon that Point, it would be convenient for you to Demand an Exact Ac­count of those Matters, which they pretend to upon that score; forasmuch as the Points in que­stion, of which they make so much noise, concern only the indemnifying the Ministers of Gottorp, for what they have suffered by the pre­ceding Confiscations, and the Lordship of Gods [Page 136]Gift; truly things of very little Consequence: But whatever it be, to shew to all distinterested Persons, how far we are inclined to Consent to any thing the Duke in reason can ask, and how desirous we are to maintain the Antient Ties and good Correspondence established and confirmed betwixt our two Houses, We order you, to declare to the Ministers of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, That, if their Master will Engage himself to renew the Union made in the Year 1623, according to the express Words of that Treaty, and the preceding Unions, that then We will immediately give full Satis­faction as to those Points, which are not as yet put in Execution by vertue of the Trea­ty of Altena; and, if any further Difficulties should arise, we will leave them to the de­termination of such Commissioners as shall be apointed by Us on both sides, for the com­posing of them, according to the Meaning and Rules prescrib'd in the Antient Ʋnions, &c.

From which Concession the Danes evince, That the Duke of Holstein had no further rea­son to insist upon that Exception, unless it were either quite to avoid, or at least to delay the renewing of the said Unions.

But it is time for us to touch a little also upon the third Demand,The third [...] qu [...]ti [...]n. which was the Com­munication of the late Duke Christian Albert's Testament.

This was interpreted by the Duke of Hol­stein Gottorp, as an infringment upon his Sove­raign Prerogatives, as may be seen from his Letter, of which we have given you the Co­py before; Whereas the Danish Ministers al­ledge, [Page 137]That the King of Denmark had no o­ther design in it, than to know (as he ought to do) whether the present Duke Frederick was constituted sole Heir in the Ducal Share of Sleswick; or whether his Brother Christian had some joint or separate Interest in the same?The Danish Argument upon this Head. The more because the Jus Primogeni­turae being not introduced in the Dukedom of Sleswick, and there being no Alteration made as to this Point, by vertue of the Patent con­cerning the remission of the Vassalage of that Dukedom; The King, say the Danes, had all the reason in the world to demand to be sa­tisfied in this Point, it being absolutely re­quisite, that in so nice a Juncture as this, (when they were in Treaty concerning the Ceremonies and other Matters relating to the Homage) the King should know, who it was that was to have the Joint-Administration with him in the Government of those Dukedoms; it was absolutely necessary, say they, to en­quire into this Point, in order to be fully satisfied, whether the said Duke Frederick a­lone, or his Brother Christian was to come in as a third Person in the Communion establish'd betwixt those Houses; especially, since there are not wanting Instances, that such a Divi­sion has been made in the said Dukedom.

I am apt to believe, I have by this time al­most tired the Reader's Patience with the re­hearsal of those Disputes, which from a small beginning, have by degrees, been carried on to that height, that in all appearance the decision of them will be made by the Sword, rather than by force of Argument: The flame of the War having already begun to spread it self thro' se­veral [Page 138]Parts of the North, by the Irruption made by the King of Poland into Livonia, and the at­tacks upon the Forts [...]ected by the Duke of Holstein Gottorp, by the Danes; so that I will con­clude this Chapter with giving you a true Copy of the Demands made by the Duke of Holstein Gottorp at the Treaty of Altena, together with [...]t authentick Translation of the Articles of the said Treaty, as they were laid before the Ho­nourable House of Commons, this last Sessions of Parliament.

CHAP. X. The Character of King Christian V. his Court; with some other Matters relating to his Person, and the Royal Family.

THE good Qualities of this Prince were such as deserve to be rank'd amongst the best our Age has produced; As the preceding Sheets do sufficiently convince us, that his whole Genius was bent upon Action, so even his E­nemies cannot deny, but that in the execution of his Designs,His Courage. he shew'd as much Personal Courage as could have been expected from a private Man. Of this he gave frequent demon­strations in his Wars with Sweden, when he al­ways appeared at the Head of his Army's, and by his own Example animated them to doing well: In the Attack made upon the City Ham­borough, he exposed his Person so near to the Enemies Shot, that several Persons of Note, who attended him, were slain by his side. There are few, I believe, who can deny, that his Conduct in that War, was answerable to his Courage,His Conduct. the whole design against a too Potent neighbouring Enemy, being founded upon the deepest Reasons of State, the fruits of which Denmark might have reap'd to its great Advan­tage, if the Dutch by clapping up a separate Peace with France at Nimeguen, had not frustrat­ed the Designs of their King.

He was a Prince of singular Assability and good Nature,His Assability. Mild and Gracious, without the least appearance of Pride, being both Beloved and Reverenc'd by his People, who, unanimous­ly agree in this, that during the whole Course of his Reign, he never abused his Absolute Power; and such was his Affability, that even when he dined in Publick, he would sit down not only with his Queen, Children and Relati­ons, but also with his Ministers and General Officers.

The most refined Politicians in these Parts, give him this Character,Religion. That he had as much Religion as was becoming a Prince, being Re­ligious without being bigotted to his Clergy, whom, tho' he allowed to speak with all due Freedom in the Pulpits, and to correct the Vices of Persons, even of the first Quality, yet never admitted them into the Secrets of the Government. Of his Moderation in Point of Religion he has given several Instances, in per­mitting the French Protestants to build a Church at Copenhagen, and the Roman Catholicks to erect a Chappel at Gluckstadt, things never known in Denmark since the Reformation; the Lutherans in the Northern Parts not allowing the Pub­lick Exercise of any, but their own Religion.

He was Master of four Languages, to wit: The High and Low Dutch, and the French, be­sides his own; and tho' neither by his Genius he was inclining, nor by his Education had ever been improved in any particular Sort of Learning, yet as his War-like Temper made him love Fortifications, so he was as great Ad­mirer of Geographical Delineations, and would with a great deal of Delight examine the De­sign [Page 147]of any Forts, to be erected in convenient Places.

He was not in the least Luxurious in his Meat and Drink;His Mode­ration. and if in his younger days he would now and then commit an Excess in the last, this was recompensed by his Moderation of late Years.

The same might be observed in all his Di­versions, which were either certain Progresses, which he used frequently to make into Sleswick, Holstein, or some of the adjucent Islands, or else Divertisements at his Country Seats: Every Summer he used to spend five or six Weeks at his Hunting-House of Jagersburgh, His Diver­sion. situate near the Sea-side, not far from Copenhagen; Two Months more of the Summer, he commonly kept his Residence at Fredericksburgh, a most Magni­ficent Pailace, about twenty English Miles from Copenhagen; where the Court spent most of its time in Stag-hunting, and the King always allowed a great deal of Freedom to his Dome­sticks.

At a certain Season, when the young Swans are grown up almost to the bigness of the old ones, Swan-hunting used to be his Pastime, which was performed by a good number of Gondola's or Small Boats, fill'd with Gentlemen and Ladies, who surrounding the Island in which the Swans abide, they used sometimes to kill se­veral thousands of them with their Guns.

Some Intrigues he has been engaged in, but those were not very many, he having been a constant admirer of the Countess of Lamsoe, his Darling Mistress.His Amours. Her Name was Mrs. La Mothe, the Daughter of a Physician at Copenha­gen; The King having espy'd her accidentally [Page 148]one day, as he pass'd by the House, he became so enamoured of her, that he could not rest satisfied till he got into the Possession of this Beautiful Creature, which he at last effected, by the Intercession of the young Lady's Mother, who considering that her deceased Husband had left her Children no considerable Fortune, pre­vailed with her Daughter, to overcome a Scru­ple, which now a days, by Custom, seems to become warrantable, for the Preferment of her Family.

The King had two Natural Sons by her, both very handsome Gentlemen;His Natu­ral Children. the Eldest had the Revenue of the Post-Office setled upon him, and commanded a Regiment of Horse in France; The second being design'd for the Sea, has made several Voyages under the Tuition of certain Persons, in whom the King confided much. Their Mother he created Countess of Lamsoe, which Title, she received from an Island of that Name he bestowed upon her; besides which, he allotted her a Pension of a thousand Pounds per Month.

His Ministers, who had the Chief Manage­ment of all Affairs of Moment, were (after the Disgrace of Greiffenfelt;) Count Gulden Lewe, Natural Brother to the King,His Mini­sters of State. and Vice-Roy of Norway, who has the Reputation of one of the finest Gentlemen in Denmark; having formerly been Ambassadour from that Crown to King Charles II. who was so Charm'd with his Con­versation, that during the time of his Residence in England, he made him the constant Partner of his Pleasures.

The second; Count Ravenclaw, his Great Hunts-Master, he is a Native of Holstein, who [Page 149]bore both the Title and Toils of the Chief Mi­nistry with a great deal of Applause, being a Person very Affable, and of easie access.

Thirdly, The Baron Juel, Brother to the Da­nish Admiral of the same Name, being descend­ed from an antient Noble Family in Denmark.

The fourth, Mounsieur Ehrcashilt a German by Birth, who having been Taught the first rudi­ments of Policy, by that Famous Monsieur Ter­lon, whom we have mentioned before to have been Ambassadour to both the Northern Crowns, has since been employed in the Ma­nagement of Matters of the greatest Moment, by the late King of Denmark, his constant Residence having been of late Years in the Ci­ty of Hamborough; which being a Place situ­ate the most Conveniently in Europe for Cor­respondence, and to keep a watchful Eye over the Transactions of the neighbouring German Princes, he was entrusted with that Province.

The Management of the Treasury was for­merly committed to oen Mr. Branet, but his Shoulders being not strong enough for the burthen of so weighty an Affair, he was dis­missed from that Employment, and one Mon­sieur Plessen substituted in his Place; He is a Na­tive of the Country of Meclenburgh in Germany, and has deservedly acquired the Character of the ablest Manager of the Finances in Denmark; it being certain, that whereas the Kings Treasury was several Millions of Crowns in Debt, he has effectually Redress'd the embroil'd State of the Finances, to such a degree, as that the King's Credit is fully recovered both at Home and A­broad; besides that, he is Master of four or five Languages, and among them of the Eng­lish, [Page 150]having lived several Years in this King­dom, in the Service of Prince George of Den­mark.

But his Principal Favourite was one Mr. Knute a Mecklenburgher by Birth,His Favourite. who, as he was Bred up with the King, and had been the constant Consident and Companion of his Pleasures, so he kept the first Rank in his Favour to his dying day, and employed most of his Time, rather in managing the King's Person, than in publick Assairs.

His Chief General Officers were the Duke of Holstein Ploen, His General Officers. and Count Wedel, Field Marshals; Lieutenant G [...]als, Count Guldenlewe, Vice-Roy of Norway; The Duke of Wirtenbergh; Monsieur Shacht Plessen, and Dumeny.

But before we conclude this Chapter, we must also speak something concerning the Royal Fa­mily.

We have told you before,The Chara­cter of the Queen. that he Married the Lady Charlotta Amalia, Sister to the present Landgrave of Hesse Cassel; She is a most Ex­cellent Person, in Respect of Her Great Quali­fications, both of body and Mind; She is Ad­mirably Fair, and Extraordinary well Shap'd, Her Complexion being a perfect mixture of Flegmatick and Sanguin; But the Excellencies of Her Mind far surpass those of Her Body, being Engaging, Assable, and free to the High­est Degree; She has given a thousand Instan­ces of Her Prudent Conduct; especially in pro­tecting the French Protestants; and others who had thrown themselves under Her Protection; She being always look'd upon by the whole Kingdom, as the common Refuge of People in Distress.

The King had five Children by Her; to wit: Four Princes and one Princess; The Eldest was Frederick, who some Months ago has succeed­ed him in the Throne, being now about seven or eight and twenty Years of Age.

The Second was Prince Christian, His Children. of a very robust Constitution, and much addicted to Hunt­ing and War-like Exercises; he died some years ago in his Travels, at Augsburgh in Germany.

The Third was called Charles, being now a­bout sixteen; and the Fourth, William, about thirteen years of Age.

The Princess his only Daughter is look't up­on as the greatest Beauty of the North; she was Contracted to the Electoral Prince of Saxony, but the Match was broke off.

From what has been said, it is evident, that the late King Christian V. was a Prince endow'd with all the Qualifications belonging to a Per­son of so Eminent a Rank; For whereas he found the Kingdom in a very declining Condi­tion, by reason of the late unfortunate War with Sweden; He restored, in some measure, its decayed Estate, by providing for the Security of its Frontiers: The Citadel in the Isle of Bornholm, commanding the Road of Roena, to­wards the Swedish Dominions,The late Kings Core for the secu­rity of the Kingdom. was brought to Perfection by his Care, in the Year 1689, be­ing fortified after the Modern Manner with con­siderable Outworks.

Cronenburgh, Famous for its Situation on the Passage of the Sound, ows its perfection also to this King, its Fortifications being now all faced with Brick:

So the City of Rensburgh stands indebted to this King for the enlargement of its Fortifica­tions; [Page 152]This place being situate upon the Bor­ders betwixt Sleswick and Holstein, on the River Eyder, was by his Orders made a Royal Fortification, the Bulwarks and Outworks being all faced with Brick, which could not be done without a prodigious Charge,

It is acknowledg'd on all hands, that whereas at the time of his Accession to the Throne, the Forces of that Kingdom were neither numerous nor well disciplin'd;His Army. he introduced such a Re­formation among them, that he left near 40000 Men, as good Troops as any are in Europe, who have signalized themselves in several Parts against the French and Ottomans. His Maritim Affairs left in so good a Condition, that 'tis believ'd the present young King will bring a Fleet of 40 Men of War in the Baltick next Summer; and as to what concerns his Revenues,His Revenue. we have told before, that what with the good Management of the Treasury, and the vast Improvement of Trade in that Kingdom, whilst we were engag'd in a War with France, they have been improv'd beyond what could have been rationally expected, considering the vast Charges he was forc'd to be at in maintaining so Considerable an Army.

To conclude this Account, we will add, that as he was naturally of a very robust Consti­tution, so he was always forward in undergo­ing all manner of Fatigue, which at last oc­casioned some Fits of the Gout, and these en­creasing by degrees, threw him into a Lan­guishment, of which he died on the 22th of August, in the Year 1699, leaving the Throne to his Eldest Son, now King Frederick IV.