Christian IV of Denmark has never lost hope of retrieving his fortunes, even at their lowest ebb, and the European situation between 1629 and 1643 has presented infinite possibilities to politicians with a taste for adventure.

Christian is no statesman, and is incapable of a consistent policy.

He has neither conciliated Sweden, henceforth his most dangerous enemy, nor has he guarded himself against her by a definite system of counter-alliances.

By mediating in favor of the emperor, after the death of Gustavus Adolphus in 1632, he had tried to minimize the influence of Sweden in Germany, and had gleaned some minor advantages, but his entire Scandinavian policy is so irritating and vexatious that Swedish statesmen make up their minds that a war with Denmark is only a question of time.

It seems to them in the spring of 1643 that the time had come.

The Swedes, thanks to their conquests in the Thirty Years' War, are now able to attack Denmark from the south as well as the east; the Dutch alliance promises to secure them at sea, and an attack upon Denmark will prevent her from utilizing the impending peace negotiations to the prejudice of Sweden.

The Swedish Privy Council in Ma decides upon war.

Sweden conquers Denmark’s German territories of Bremen and ...

...Verden in 1643, administered until now by Christian IV’s younger son, Frederick.

The Swedish Field Marshal Lennart Torstensson, advancing from Bohemia, on December 12 crosses the southern frontier of Denmark.

The entire peninsula of Jutland is in the possession of the Swedish forces by the end of January 1644.

This totally unexpected attack, conducted from first to last with consummate ability and lightning-like rapidity, has a paralyzing effect upon Denmark.

Christian IV knows his duty—fortunately for his subjects, amid almost universal helplessness and confusion—and has the courage to do it.

Christian IV, displaying something of the magnificent energy of his triumphant youth, labors night and day to levy armies and equip fleets.

Fortunately for him, the Swedish government delays hostilities in Scania until February 1644, so that the Danes are able to make adequate defensive preparations and save the important fortress of Malmö.

Lennart Torstensson, the Swedish field marshal, is unable to cross from Jutland to Funen for want of a fleet, and the Dutch auxiliary fleet which comes to his assistance is defeated between the islands of Sylt and Rømø on the west coast of Schleswig by the Danish admirals.

Another attempt to transport Torstensson and his army to the Danish islands by a large Swedish fleet is frustrated by Christian IV in person on July 1, 1644, when the two fleets engage off Kolberge Heath, southeast of Kiel Bay.

Christian’s heroism will endear him ever after to the Danish nation.

As he stands on the quarter-deck of the Trinity a cannon close by is exploded by a Swedish cannonball, and splinters of wood and metal wound the king in thirteen places, blinding one eye and flinging him to the deck.

He is instantly on his feet again, crying with a loud voice that it is well with him, and sets an example to all by remaining on deck until the fight ends.

Darkness at last separates the contending fleets; the battle is a draw, the Danish fleet blockading the Swedish ships in Kiel Bay, but the Swedish fleet escapes.