fourteenth saw the Enemy drawn up in Battle-array expecting of them the Right Wing of the Swedes Army consisting of ten Squadrons of Horse was lead by the Prince himself four whereof composing the Reserve being commanded by Major General Beteker one hundred Dragoons closed this Wing on the right hand and the Front was strengthened with three peeces of Cannon the left Wing equalled this in strength and order conducted by Lieutenant General Horn and the Count of Waldec But the main Body consisting of four Battalions of Foot though not exceeding fourteen hundred in all and five peeces of Ordnance were commanded by Marshal Steynbock sent thither to assist the young Prince with his more aged Councels The Town and a Wood covered the Army behind so that their Rear was secure and a long continued Ditch with some water in it where the ground was lowest interposed betwixt their Front and the larger Campania there were some Avenues in the aforesaid Ditch through which the Bodies of Horse did move when they engaged on either side Ebersteyn seeing the Enemies order put also his Army into Battalia Major General Quast commanded his Right Wing consisting of the Imperial Regiments some few Poles and a Company of Danish Dragoons Count Vander Nat with his own Regiment and part of Collonel Mathew's made up the Reserve the Danish Infantry being but two small Bodies composed the main Battle being otherwise strengthened with fourteen peeces of Cannon the Left Wing made up of Brandenburgers Poles one troop of Ebersteyn's Regiment and a few Dragoons was encreased by five Dutch Companies under the Command of Lieutenant Collonel Aquila the rest of Ebersteyn's own and Konenberg's whole Regiment were appointed for Reserves Marshal Schack had by this time also put his Army into Battalia his Right Wing being commanded by Lieutenant General Alefeld and his left by Major General Tramp the Netherland Auxiliaries made up of English French and Dutch Companies divided into three Regiments and lead by their three Collonels Killegrew Allowa and Metteren composed the main Battle Killegrew commanded these in chief and the rest of the Officers excepting Allowa who was absent by sickness and Sir Walter Vane who worthily discharged the Office of Major General marched with their several Companies and in their several places Marshal Ebersteyn had chosen the Left Wing because he would be opposite to the Enemies right which Shack observing drew up his troops on his right so that both Armies thus united made but one though a very irregular Front which was occasioned through Ebersteyn's hast to engage and the disorders which usually arrive in such encounters The Armies being thus ranged they met and fought with no less desires than bravery and the Battle proved doubtful as well as hot until the Netherlanders the rest being broken and disordered turned the day by only keeping firm and snatched the Victory out of the Swedes hands Ebersteyn had before the Battle began sent four hundred Horse to observe the Enemies order and countenance who advancing too far were rudely received and beaten back to their main Body In the mean time the Eberstenians move on and marching on to the Swedes Ditch endeavoured with great courage to beat them from it but being as bravely received they were forced back with great loss all the Officers of Ebersteyns own Regiment being either slain or wounded Neither was Shacks fortune better all his Horse being broken and routed so that if the Swedes had not been hindered by their own Ditch to pursue their advantage at once by hindering the Enemy to rally behind the Dutch Foot they had infallibly got the Day Killegrew seeing the Horse beaten marched up in good order to the Ditch and firing continually by Ranks as he advanced forced the Swedes Foot to quit it and retire further into the Field behind them The Swedes endeavoured to make head again but being again disordered were charged broken and cut in pieces by the Polish and Danish Horse who were returned to the fight Alefeld had by this rallied his Troops again and bringing them on a fresh passed also the Ditch and charging the Swedes Left Wing of Horse routed and pursued them to the Walls of the Town The Prince having lost all his Foot and weakened by the flight of his Left Wing seeing no hopes of recovering the Day retired also in reasonable good order into the City however pursued by the Victorious Enemy The Field being cleered and plundered and the night growing on apace the Danish Generals encamped as near the Town as was possible The next morning they put they Armies into Battle in sight of the Enemy and having planted their Cannon threatned a sudden and general Assault unless they surrendred The Swedes seeing the Enemies preparations sent out Commissioners to treat with them and a Trumpeter to De Ruyter who continually thundred upon them with vollyes of Cannon to desire him to desist for they would deliver up the Town upon reasonable terms But all mention of Conditions being rejected by the insulting Victors they were forced to Deliver up themselves and the Place at discretion Lieutenant General Horn marched out with three thousand Horse which as also the Prisoners and Colours which had been taken in the Fight he presented to the Confederate Generate Generals who divided and distributed them amongst their several Regiments the Officers the Town the spoil and all fell into the Conquerours hands together with fourscore Cornets and eight and twenty Foot-Colours Amongst the prisoners of note were Horn himself and the two Major Generals Weyer and Waldec The Duke of Weymer and the Count Koningsmark had been taken in the Battle the day before there were also ten Collonels besides the inferiour Officers and some other persons of quality The slain on the Swedes side amounted to well nigh two thousand besides Major General Beteker and some other lesser Officers The Danes lost only their Collonel Booth one Lieutenant Collonel one Major and three Captains of Horse Piazenzewski the Commander in Chief of the Poles died in this Field of Honour as also Captain Hemmema a Gentleman of Friezland the only Officer amongst the Netherlanders The number of the slain souldiers did not exceed five hundred in all neither did this so signal a Victory and the fruits of it the Island of Funen cost the Danes any more which seemed in some sort to recompense the manifold losses they had hitherto sustained The two Swedish Generals the Prince of Sulsbach and Marshal Steynbock escaped the danger for being retired into the Town and in an impossibility of either defending the place or being relieved and seeing they had but that one night of reprieve they thought it more reasonable to hazard an escape than submit to a certain surrender They therefore exposed themselves in a small Boat to the mercy of the Sea and escaped by favour of the darkness and nimbleness of their Rowers through all the Enemies Fleet and came early the next morning to Corseur
plausible enough as appears by the Swedish Manifest and the Kings own speeches in the ensuing narration But the Danes accused Charls his boundless ambition and cried out plainly and not without probability that he had already devoured the dominion of the East sea in his thoughts which was not to be compassed but by the preceding conquest of Denmark They further affirmed that he had therefore been perswaded at Gottenburg to prosecute the enlargement of the Swedish Empire by new acquisitions The conflict would be easie and as the first was bloodless He should but go and overcome and by the accession of his future victories open a passage to his farther greatness Add to these the tried difficulties of the Polish war the quiet but armed condition of Germany the peaceful inclinations of France at that time but above all a warlike Prince and as he pretended provoked and injured environed with a victorious Army and it will not seem strange that the fury of the threatning tempest fell upon Denmark But whatever the causes were the war was easier begun than ended whilest the Danes serve for a memorable example to posterity how valid despair is and that there is nothing proof against an enforced necessity The Swedes were obliged as is already observed by the Treaty of Rotschkild to withdraw all their forces out of all the Provinces of Denmark by the first of May which they did not only not do for Holstein Jutland Funen and the Dukedom of Sleswick were still in their power but took also new councils to invade and conquer the rest of that divided Kingdom The King then being resolved to renew the war prepared all that was judged necessary for so great an expedition and that with no less secrecy than prudence and truly it was no wonder that the Danes were surprised being by several Embassies letters and messages lull'd into so ruinous a security when as the Ministers of divers Princes who then followed the Court were so far from penetrating into its designes that they had not the least suspicion of a second invasion upon Denmark Aug. 5. 1658. The fleet and land forces met at Kiel in Holstein and now all things being in a readiness the Army and provision for a longer journey than was intended were imbarcked The King being under fail with eleven men of war and near sixty great and lesser Vessels whilest some thought him gone towards Prussia others towards Pomeranta and others towards other places but none towards Denmark secured as it was thought by the late Peace he steered his course towards Zealand Aug. 8. Being arrived at Corsieur a sea town on the West side of the Island he landed his Army greater in reputation than numbers for it did not exceed 1200 horse and 4000 foot without any opposition or resistance These few guards that were on the coasts fled at first sight of the fleet before they knew whether they were enemies or not and the Towns men dissembleing what they durst not seem to fear were forced to receive these new guests as friends whilest they and the country as the Army passed along were made believe as the Swedes gave it out that they intended no hostility to any but were come to assist the King of Denmark against the designs of some of his rebellious Nobles King Charls his chief care upon his landing was to keep his soldiers from plundering and by quick sending out of parties of horse to suppress the Danish troops which were quartered up and down the Island or at least to hinder their retreat into Coppenhagen Count Toâ—te Lieutenant-General of the horse led the Van but the King himself I know not by what fatality did not stir till the day following and however his main hopes of victory consisted in the quickness of his motion he marched but slowly fearing peradventure ambushes in an unknown Country or least he might be obliged in the absence of his Naval forces to bear the brunt of the war alone The noise therefore of this invasion sled to Coppenhagen before him and filled the Court and City with the terrour of so imminent a danger All was full of fear and confusion and the people then at divine service for it was upon the Sabbath day in the morning struck with the apprehensions of their approaching ruine which they look'd upon as infallible if the enemies made that hast they might and assaulted the City then destitute of order or forces to withstand them The slight of the country-people who came slocking into the town magnifying the number and progress of the enemy according as their fears suggested redoubled the terrour in so much that all dreading their destruction as unavoidable bethought how best to secure themselves Some hid their best moveables where they best could whilest others searched about whither they might best slye and hide themselves Many preferring their personal security to that of their Country cried out for peace and a recourse to the conquerours clemency but the wisest and they were but few perswaded a vigorous resistance and exhort the rest rather to commit their common safety to God and a just defence than to the arbitration of a cruel and insulting enemy Neither were the disorders and apprehensions at Court inferiour to these until the King himself having rejected the advice of those who would have perswaded him to preserve himself for better times by a timely retreat into Norway or Holland had declared with a magnanimity truly royal That he would live and dye in his Nest and not survive the sate and glory of his Country The following letter though not signed fell as was informed into his hands the which as being of an extraordinary nature merits to be inserted it was as followeth Sir Notwithstanding my being engaged in the service of your mortal Enemy I am a very affectionate well-wisher to your Majesty I am very confident that the King of Sweden designs to take Zeland from you and consequently yuur crown I humbly desire your Majesty to save your Royal person the Queen and the Princes your children by a quick retreat into Norway or elsewhere until this tempest be over and some happier opportunity present it self for the recovery of your kingdom Save your self Sir that you may not fall into his hands preserve your self for better times and believe the counsel of him who is your Majesties most humble servant I will leave the disquisition of the author the contriver and the intrigue of this letter to the curious and only add that if he had followed the advice of most part of his Councel he had hearkened to that of his kind enemy and lost his kingdom into the bargain But he being more generously resolved did by his example raise the drooping spirits of them about him which quickly appeared in their countenances and expressions Shame and emulation and a desire of revenge had mastered those weaker passions their fear had begot in them before so that at present there was
Prince their Ally and maintaining the Peace of the Empire march with their conjoyned Forces towards Denmark The true reasons of this arming was the apprehensions they had of the unexpected successes of this great Prince and lest Sweden grown powerful with the accession of the Danish Crown might prove no less ambitious than formidable Upon this account they conclude a League betwixt themselves and resolve with their United strength to endeavour the succouring of King Frederick by Land as the Dutch did by water The Imperialists commanded by Montecuculi were esteemed eleven thousand Czerneski and his Poles six thousand all Horse and the Brandenburgers at least twelve thousand strong The Elector himself a warlike Prince and heightened with the glory his valour had gained him in the famous Battle of Warsow was General of this vast Army Sept. 17. 1658. And now their divided Forces being met they resolve to march into Holstein where the Swedes had hitherto lorded without resistance Being advanced as far as the Borders the Elector commanded publick Proclamation to be made How that the King of Denmark having signified to the Emperor and himself in what manner the King of Sweden had broken the Peace made in February last invaded Denmark without any denunciation of War besieged Cronenburg and Coppenhagen and designed the Conquest of the whole Kingdom had also desired him to joyn his forces with the Emperours and come with all possible speed to his relief He therefore declared that moved with the just demands of a Prince he was in League with he was hastening to his assistance to deliver him rom his oppressors and procure a firm and equitable Peace Lastly he desired all men to contribute their endeavours to so just a work especially in Victualling his Army promising in case they did to protect the Inhabitants from all violence and disorder of the Souldiery The Swedes unable to resist so powerful an Enemy thought it safest to withdraw betimes but lest they might not prejudice their Adversaries in their very retreat they destroyed all the forrage they met with burnt all the Villages and Houses in their way and ruined what ever they thought might be of use to their pursuers Having past the River Egder on a Bridge of Boats they broke it after them and retiring into Jutland with their General the Prince of Sulsbach encamped their wearied forces at Fredericks-ode a Sea Town of the lesser Belt and well fortified with Bulwork and a strong Garison The Elector followed the sad track of this flying Enemy Sept. 25. and being come to Gottorp the Dukes Residence commanded a Battery to be raised against the Castle threatning its ruine in case of resistance The Duke of Holstein who had retired betimes to Tonningen a strong Fortress lying on the North Sea having notice of this summons sends an Envoy to the Prince Elector to desire a Neutrality which was granted him upon condition that he should deliver his Castle to the Confederates as a gage of his future good behaviour and pay sixty thousand Ryxdollers as a present ransom Gottorp being surrendred the Army marched to Alsen a little Island separated from the Continent by a small Arm of the Sea which they passed in Boats under favour of their Cannon and over-powring the Enemy in numbers forced them to retire Collonel Aschenberg commanded in the Island with three Regiments of Horse and some few Foot but being shut up in Sunderburg and seeing no hopes of relief he silently conveyed himself and his Souldiers by favour of the night into some Ships that arrived there some hours before and so escaped the danger The following day discovered the Enemies flight but all then baggage fifteen hundred Horses and twenty four pieces of Canon fell into the Conquerours hands who in pursuit of their Victory marched immediately to Nordburg another Fort in the Island which they likewise took without resistance and in it Collonel Knust with his Regiment who were forced to deliver up themselves and the place to the power of the Confederates Dec. 15. The Island being thus cleered Czerneski marched towards Jutland and falling upon a party of the Swedes at Colding beat them and forcing the Kings Pallace put the whole Garison to the sword reserving only the Governour and his Lieutenant to publish his victory and their own misfortune The Confederate Army drawing near Fredericks-Ode met with a party of two hundred and fifty Swedes Horse who had been sent to discover their Forces These falling unwarily upon the Prince of Anhalts Troops were beaten and routed many of them slain and Lieutenant Collonel Strekihurst that commanded them with some other Officers of note taken prisoners The Prince heightened with this success draws near the Town but finding the Garison strong and resolved contented himself with the advantage he had already got The Winter was too much advanced and the Weather too wet to undertake a Siege so full of difficulty as this was like to prove The Army was therefore sent into Winter quarters and divided by Regiments into the several Provinces of Holsteyn and Jutland in expectation of a milder season The Winter being past both parties prepare a fresh for War the Swedes had suffered much within the Town and lost many of their men poysoned with stenches and other calamities Nov 165 Marshal Wrangel had taken this place by Assault the year before and the dead bodies having been thrown by heaps into holes and but ill covered broke out again insomuch that the streets ran with the gore and matter which issued from those dis-interred carkasses This so infected the Air that the Swedes resolved to quit the place besides that the greatness of the Works containing seven capacious Bulworks required more men for their defence than they could well spare Having therefore demolished the Fortifications and burnt the Town they transported their Troops over into Funen leaving only a Garrison in the Cittadel which was presently besieged by the Confederates and indeed taken but empty for the Swedes unable to resist the Enemies violence stole away by night with most of their Cannon and Provisions over into Funen They left some iron Guns behind them but nailed up and having destroyed what the former flames had spared mined their own Bulworks and filling the Cavities with Powder laid a train which might give it fire The next morning the Confederates seeing the Enemy gone rush carelesly into the Castle and unmindful of what might happen were most of them that had entred by the sudden taking of the Mines blown up and buried in the ruines of their destroyed Conquest The Confederates having forced the Swedes out of the Continent resolved to pursue them into their very retirements Jun. 1. Hereupon they attack the small Isle of Fenoe seated betwixt Jutland and Funen The fight was sharp until the Swedes were forced to flye and save themselves in Funen having left behind them one Colonel three Captains several other lesser Officers six Field-pieces
and a generous fear was forced against his Nature and practise to become a Spectator whilest others plaid his part but with their own Fortune THE HISTORY Of the Late Warres in Denmark BETWIXT The Two Northern Crowns The Third Part. FIeld-Marshal Schack Commander of the Danish Forces had embarked at Kiel in Holstein His Army consisted of Eighteen hundred Horse Six hundred Foot Nov. 6. and forty Companies though not exceeding two thousand five hundred men of Dutch Auxiliaries The Germans Polish and Brandenburger ayds marched by Land under the Conduct of Field-Marshal Ebersteyn towards Middlefare where they were to pass over into Funen some ships of War having been sent thither to facilitate their transport Whilest they were on their way by Land the Sea Forces advanced with more ease speed and being past Langlands Point were come within sight of Newburg They cast anchor in the mouth of the Haven and resolved at a Councel of War to endeavour to land there Lieutenant General Alefeld was sent with two thousand men to execute this design but most of the. Boats which carried the Souldiers having lost their way in the dark and being scattered and dispersed by the ill-Weather the Wind blowing high and contrary they returned again to the Fleet without attempting what they were sent for And truly it was wel they did not for the descent there was by reason of the Enemies frequent Forts and numerous troops very difficult and hazardous As soon as the day appeared they weighed Anchor again and leaving Newburg coasted the shore as far as Cartmund When they were come near the Town which is seated at the mouth of the River Carta from whence it hath its denomination and had viewed it well the place seemed very abordable in so much that it was unanimously resolved to try their fortune there with hopes of better success than at Newburg The Boats therefore were immediately filled with Souldiers and commanded towards the shore The Danes had the Van being no less eager of the honour than desirous of performing their own business But being they did not advance as fast as was required and that the Boats by reason of their loading and the shallowness could not move further Collonel Killegrew Sir Walter Vane Monsieur Buat who was with the Danes in the Vanguard and first quitted his Shallop Sir John Skelton and the rest in Killegrew's Boat leapt into the Water being breast-high and being followed by all the Netherland Alixiliartes made towards Land The Town gave and received several Vollies of shot as they waded along Some few Swedish Horse advanced into the Sea but were easily repelled and beat back The Cannon from the Ships thundring from all parts incessantly upon the Shore the Bridge and the neighbouring Town did much facilitate the landing by forcing the Enemy unable to resist its violence to retire The Town was also possesed that night being abandoned by the Swedes and the rest of the Army was landed with all imaginable speed though much time was spent in getting the Horse on shore Shack hearing nothing of Ebersteyns advance continued at Cartmund for some days until the Army being fully refreshed it was resolved they should march towards Odensea the chief Town of the Isle and seated in the middle of it But their motion was but slow by reason they had the Enemy in Front who had also possessed all the Streights and narrow Passages in their way The Prince of Sulsbach was General of the Swedish Forces in the Island His Army was not great not exceeding five thousand effective Souldiers which were encreased to that number by the additional Foot which the King had caused to be conveyed over by night to re-inforce his Troops there when he saw it impossible to transport them out of the Island but it was high in reputation and yet he could not hinder the Enemies landing at Cartmund or thought it less hazardous to fight them afterwards than to expose his men to the certain danger of their Cannon And yet he was censured because he did not engage either then or when they were landed or at any time before their conjunction though he could not avoid it afterward His chief care now was to hinder the uniting of the two Armies and therefore he had planted himself in those advantageous Streights betwixt Cartmund and Odensea But hearing that Ebersteyn was likewise landed contrary to his expectation and the opinion he had of those Troops which he had ordered to oppose him he changed his mind for fearing he might be himself inclosed betwixt two such powerful adversaries he marched with all his Foâ—ces to Newburg where he posted himself with a resolution to receive and fight the Enemy in his advantages Eberstein had passed that arm of the Sea which divides Holstein from Funen at Middlefare without the loss of one single man He had four Imperial Regiments as many Brandenburgers six hundred Polish horse six hundred Danish Dragoons and a thousand horse of the same Nation with him All these were wafted over in three dayes and nights time in thirteen Boats the Troopers holding and training their Horses by the bridles whilest they sworn after them without any opposition at all There were indeed two men of War and two other armed Vessels appointed to meet Ebersteyn at Middlefare and also to transport those troops that were in the Islet of Alsen into Funen but being detained by contrary Winds they were forced to the Isle of Aroe where they had intelligence of some Swedes ships loaden with prey and spoil that lay in an Inlet by Alsen which they took with their long Boats and plundered without resistance the Swedes which were in Middlefare and in the Forts and trenches along the shore quitted them contrary to their custom and the wonted bravery of that Nation at first sight of the Enemy and leaving above thirty peeces of Cannon behind them and other warlike provisions retired leaving an uninterrupted passage for the pursuers to follow Ebersteyn wondring he had got over so easily was afraid the Enemy had laid some ambush for him which made him move slowly so that he was seven dayes in marching so many miles to Odensea where he found Schack and Killegrew who had been there three dayes before him and waited his coming All the Confederate Forces being now joyned amounted to near nine thousand so that surmounting the Swedes in numbers they resolved to go search them out and give them battle where ever they could find them there was some little dispute betwixt the two Generals about the precedency Ebersteyn pretended it as eldest Field-Marshal and Schack would not submit being more immediatly commissioned for the present expedition It was therefore agreed that each should command his own men and lead the Avantguard by turns The next day they broke up and Ebersteyn having the Van they marched four miles the day following they came to Maselboom Nov. 14 29. a mile and a half from Newburg and on the
time not only to fortifie against the ensuing tempest but King Charles leisure enough to come with his Army out of Poland to shew them the fault they had committed in letting slip that which is most precious and most irrecoverable The English and French set all their Engines on work their intercession and their threats to stave off the Danes but to no purpose For the occasion was too fair and their preparations too forward to desist so that their Ministers were roundly answered that the King of Denmark had long expected satisfaction from the Crown of Sweden but being the Resident of the said Crown was retired without giving any his Majesty was obliged to endeavour his own satisfaction and security by the way of Arms. The truth is the party was not ill concerted for the Brandenburger was already drawn off from the Swedish alliance and upon assurance given him from the Polish Court that the Soveraignty of the Ducal Prussia should be conferred upon him which he also now enjoys he confederated himself with the Pole and Dane against Sweden The Dutch were also highly engaged for that wary Republick reflecting upon King Charles his progress in Prussia and Poland and fore-seeing what obstructions his continued conquests in these parts might bring to their Eastern Traffick resolved to oppose him which they not only did by sending a fleet and 1300 Foot to secure Dansick but also by this powerful diversion of the Danes to which they contributed vast summs of monys especially those of Amsterdam upon the securities of the Customs in the Sound and Norway The King of the Romans at present Emperour had also an Army hovering about the Swedish frontiers in Prussia and Poland which put King Charles to a stand not knowing which to turn himself yet resolved to fall with his whole power upon the first that broke out fancying that he was strong enough to deal with either of them apart and it was impossible they should joyn at the distance they were at whereas he should be too weak both for the one and the other if he divided his Forces He was at Thorn in Prussia in expectation of the motion of these new Adversaries where he at length heard the news of the Danes invading of him in the Dutchy of Bremen and the Frontiers of Sweden And this seems a second error for either they ought to have begun sooner whilst the King was engaged with so many enemies in Poland or they ought to have stayed longer and expected until the Imperialists had made the first attempt so that they then should have had nothing to combat with but Cities and Fortresses The King of Sweden was so transported with the first notice of this breach that amongst other expressions of rage and scorn he was heard to say Frederick Frederick I will stick so close to thee that I will sink with thee It may be reasonably imagined that for all this appearing violence he was secretly glad of this rupture with the Danes for it did not only in some sort justifie his invading of Poland the Truce being not yet expired by their example but also gave him an opportunity to quit that Country with honor which he would otherwise have been forced to leave of himself He had indeed wholly mastered that great Kingdom by his valour and the divisions of the Nobility there many of which he had gained by his own and the Vice-Chancelors Radizeuski's practises and intelligence having forced all to swear fealty to him though they all left him afterwards with the same levity but with more justice being they returned to the obedience and service of their own Prince again so that he was weary of that War as being engaged in too vast a Territory and so far from his Confines He had obliged Ragotski Prince of Transilvania to be of his party who had also entred Poland with a very great Army but he suffered him to be lost by exposing him for though they had joyned forces together yet he drew his off being he could not draw the enemy to battle and marched towards Prussia whilst the other was designed to return home which for want of conduct he could not compass having lost his whole Army his hopes in Poland being no less than a Crown and afterwards his whole Country by that unfortunate expedition The King of Sweden being therefore resolved to quit the Polish War left his Brother Prince Adolph in Prussia for the defence of that Province which he mainly desired to conserve In so much that he had made offer of the Crown of Poland being Ragotski failed of it to the King of Hungary himself provided he might keep Prussia Count Steinbock to observe the Imperialists and Poles his Brother in law Count Magnus de la Guarde in Leifland against Muscovy and Lithuania and marched himself laying all in ashes behind him to secure his Rear from the pursuit of the Polish Cavalry with about 6000 Horse towards Pomerania He had in vain sollicited the Duke of Brandenburgh to lend him some Troops though he had offered him Thorn Elbing and Marienburg as cautions provided he might leave Swedish Officers in them Being therefore obliged to stand upon his own bottom he came to Stetin whence he wrote to all the Electors especially him of Mentz as most addicted to France complaining of the Danish invading of him in the Empire which was against the tenor of the instrument of Peace and besought his counsel and assistance Whilst the King of Sweden hastens thus by Land towards Denmark the King of Denmark being advertised though falsly that he took his journey by water put to Sea in person with his whole Fleet and coasting the Countrey of Pomerania came to Dansick where he understood the truth of King Charls his motion which obliged him after a fruitless survey of the Baltick Sea to return in great hast to Coppenhagen Whilst the Swedes were on their way towards Holstein part of the Danish forces had taken Bremerford a good place in the Dutchy of Bremen and two other Forts the Bellemer Sconce lying upon the Elbe and the Leher Sconce commanding the Weser They sollicited also the City of Bremen by an Ambassador to quit the Swedes party but not with that success they had hoped for it seemed yet too early for them to declare Although they were assured in answer to their address to the States Aug. 13. of being assisted in case they were attempted conformable to the Treaty betwixt them which regarded the Swedes not the Danes And here some take the freedom to blame the Danish Conduct for had they carried the War into Sweden it self disfurnished of her principal Defendants Her King absent in a remote Countrey the very terror of an invading Army would have wrought that confusion and consternation in the Country as might probably have given the Dane opportunity to have driven on the War as far as Stockholm But they on the contrary attack the Swedish Dominions in Germany Allarming
thereby their friends as well as their enemies For the Princes of the nether Saxon circle declare the invâ—ding of the Dutchy of Bremen to be a breach of the peac◠〈◊〉 the Empire and a violation of the Instrument of Peace for the observation whereof they stood reciprocally engaged By this time King Charles was advanced as far as Hamburgh with his harassed and ill accoutred Troops without opposition where he mounted and cloathed and armed them by the favour of that Ciâ—y jealous of its own Lords greatness and the assistance of good supplies of moneys which he received there upon the French accompt It seemed strange what was become of the Danish Army but that however sixteen thousand strong In stead of fighting the enemy in Pomerania or Mecklenburg or any where before they reach'd Hambourg still retired before them but whether affrighted with the reputation of these glorious Ruffians or betrayed by their own dissentions I will not determine though it be certain that King Charles had his Ulefeld in Denmark as well as his Radizeuski in Poland The Swedes being thus refreshed and lusty grew also very numerous by the accession of such whom the hopes and liberty of pillage daily added to their party They followed the retiring Danes as far as Frâ—dericks-ode which they also after some time took by assault under the conduct of Marshal Wrangel Fredericks-ode is seated upon the lesser Belt a new Town endowed with many priviledges to invite Inhabitants and fortified on the land side though the Works were not fully finished after the modern fashion the Sea was esteemed a sufficient guard on that side it watered being strengthened with Pallisadoes from the adjoyning Bulwarks as far as deep water But the Swedes under favour of the darkness and some false Allarms in other places broke down this wooden Fence and rushing in on that part up to the Saddle skirts in water wheeled about the Bastion and entred the Town rendring themselves Masters of the same without any considerable resistance This victory equalled a gained battle for they made above 2000 prisoners besides the slain which amounted to as many more well nigh 200 Officers 33 Colours and above fourscore pieces of Cannon with other store of Ammunition and plunder This success rendred them also absolute Masters of Holstein except Krempen and Gluckstadt and Rensbourg gave them the plunder and contribution of all Jutland and the communication betwixt the North and East Seas by the lesser Belt It was thought strange that so strong a place as Fredericks-ode and so well provided with Garrison and provisions should be taken by a number scarce equal to them within Andrew Bilde Marshal of the Kingdom was Governour of this important place but whether he lost it by his fate or by his folly by his cowardise or by his treason is still disputeable However it was it cost him his life he being mortally wounded in the attack which did not yet suffice to clear his memory from obloquie and a suspition of disloyalty The Swedes themselves contributed much though accidently to this rumour for they sent his body richly vested without ransom over into Funen which encreased the ill reports or him though it might as well have been thought an argument of their generous humanity as his perfidie as they will hereafter evince in the person of Vice Admiral De Witt slain in the Sound and returned with no less honour and pomp King Frederick hearing of this great loss quits Schonen where he had in person twice beaten the enemy by Helmstat and flies into Funen to give orders for the conservation of that Island the second of Denmark Which done he leaves his Bastard Brother Guldenlew there with 3000. men and returns to Coppenhagen to struggle with the divided factions of his Nobles which did not end but in theirs and their Countries Ruine But leaving the Danes to their dissentions and the Swedes posted in their new conquests let us step back a little to take a short view and prospect of the civil transactions contemporary with the former England had too great an interest in the Baltick which may not improperly be called the Mediterranean of the North to sit still without making reflection upon the great commotions in those parts And besides the concerns of a free and undisturbed Commerce England being at that time in an open War with Spain had much rather that the Swedish Arms had been at liberty to give a check to the other Austrian Branch in Germany than to have been diverted by a Warre with Denmark Upon this account two Gentlemen are made choice of to endeavour a Reconciliation betwixt the two Kings Mr. Meadowe being sent to the Court of Denmark and Mr. Jepson to that of Sweden The former arrived in Denmark in the beginning of September 1657. much about the time that the Swede entred Jutland He was received far above his Character being that of Envoy Extraordinary to the regret of other forreign Ministers But the conjuncture of time and affairs obliged the Danes by all possible waies and means to ingratiate themselves with the English So that the Envoyes Proposition for a Mediation after he had declared the ruinous effects of a War Sep. 25. 1657. was accepted off The Dane declaring that he was ready to enter upon a Treaty of a sure and honourable peace under the Mediation of England and that so soon as the King of Sweden should testifie a suitable concurrence on his part This Declaration was transmitted to the Swede with all possible diligence and drew from him a reply dated at Wismar in October following in which offer many expostulations how injuriously he had been dealt with 19. 1657. intermixt with some language which the Dane resented as opprobious He declares likewise his assent to enter upon a Treaty under the Mediation of France and England and that the preliminaries as to place of treating number of Commissioners sale conducts c. should be adjousted according to the transactions betwixt the two Crowns in the year 1644. upon the confines of the two Kingdoms This reply produced another Declaration from the Dane Nov. 5. That he consents also to the transactions in 44. only as to the place of the future Treaty conceives Lubeck or some other in that neighbourhood to be most commodious That the Treaty should commence under the Mediation of England and also of the States General and so soon as France should offer him their Mediation he would accept of that likewise But that the designed Peace be not restrained to the two Crowns only but that the King of Poland and the Elector of Brandenburg be comprehended in the same It was easie to see how this comprehension of the Pole insisted on by the Dane would trouble the scene of affairs which obliged the English Mediatour to remonstrate it to be a novel Proposal and how that it would render the so much desired peace tedious and difficult if not impossible for that
absence arrived safe in Holland where having given the States a summary Report of his actions and negotiations in the North he received though not without some opposition the publick thanks of the Assembly for his prudent and valorous Conduct King Charles was gone to Nykopping in Falster where he continued some time to be nearer Pomeranta where the Confederates domineered at pleasure and the better to observe the motion of the Dutch Fleet. Collonel Sidney and Sir Robert Honniwood as also the French Embassadour not yet despairing of Peace went thither to him which the Dutch being looked upon as Enemies refused to do but yet that it might appear how desirous they were of an Accommodation they dispatched me with Letters and Messages intimating so much to His Majesty The Plenipotentiaries being arrived at Nykopping began to treat again but being nothing could be concluded without the Dutch it was thought good to invite them also thither which was done by Letters from the Court from the Embassadours and from me by the Kings order and the other Embassadours entreaty They had also Passports sent them from the King and a Convoy with some of His Majesties servants to wait upon them and serve them by the way so that there appeared now more hopes than ever of composing these ruinous differences Being come to Nycopping they were lodged and defrayed by the Kings Order and the Treaty was re-assumed with no less expectation than seeming propension to a Peace on all sides But these flourishes quickly vanished for the King Persisting in his former opinion and the Embassadors not departing from theirs there was nothing concluded Octob. 25. The Swedes Commissioners having exhibited some previous demands to the Mediatours declared that they must be first granted before they could come to the main business of Peace These were that the three States should first joyntly and generally and then severally and apart stand good and be bound for the performance of the Treaty with Denmark That they should undertake that the War which the Emperour and Electour of Brandenburg had raised in Germany and did actually wage against the Swedish Provinces there in favour of Denmark should be laid aside with all speed and a plenary restitution made of all they had taken therein and that they should become Sureties that the King of Sweden should not be disturbed for the future by any contrary to the German Instrument of Peace Further in case the aforesaid Enemies should refuse to restore what they had violently usurped that then the three States should compel them to it by force and interpose and engage for the Swedes future defence and fecurity in those Provinces which appertained to them Lastly these things being thus granted the King of Sweden would then condescend in favour of the three States to a Peace with Denmark and that upon the Basis of the Rotschild Treaty taken in its right and genuine sence which could not otherwise be done The Mediatours answered to these Demands that the three States would become sureties for and engage themselves to assert what ever should be agreed upon betwixt the Kings That as soon as the Peace was made in Denmark they would use their utmost endeavours to compose the Wars in Germany and oblige the Emperour and Elector of Brandenburg to restore those places they had taken from the Swedes That the King of Sweden should for his part in the interim consent to a pacification according to the Rotschild Treaty save that the second Article of it should be so interpreted that either and both of the Kings should be at liberty to Treat and make Leagues with any Prince or Commonwealth whatsoever for the mutual defence of themselves and States That all dubious expressions in the said Treaty should be explained or expunged to impede new disputes That the Castle City and Territory of Drontkeym should be restored to the King of Denmark in consideration of all those vast losses which he had suffered by this last invasion And lastly that there should be a time prefixed for the removal of the Swedish Garrisons and Armies out of all the Isles and Provinces of Denmark and that in all other things and particulars the Treaty of Rotschild should stand in full force and vigour They made also other propositions concerning a free passage through the Sound about removing of misunderstandings betwixt the Swedes and United Provinces the Ratification of the Treaty of Elbing the Peace with Poland and of restoring the old friendship betwixt the King of Sweden and the Elector of Brandenburg And these were the Proposals made on the King and Mediators sides but his Majesty seemed the most refractory not that he was averse from Peace for he had too many Enemies to struggle with but lest he might be thought to desire it for fear of War and even then when he was most threatned In the mean time the dayes were passed in Feasting and Hunting the King having then invited the Mediators to those diversions His Majesty was at Table with the said Embassadours when he received the news of the Enemies Fleet and land-Land-Armies being at Sea neither did he therefore quit his Guests but concealing the matter continued his feasting till late in the night The next morning betimes he surrounded the Island viewed its Forts and left good Guards at all its Entries Avenues in case the Enemy should attempt to land there but being advertised by quick Posts and manifold Beacons which he had ordered upon all the heights in the Country that the Fleet was entred the Creat Belt he flew with all the Forces he could get together to Corseur a Sea Town in Zeland Being come thither he perceived that the Enemies design was upon Funen He therefore sent Field-Marshal Steynboch thithea with Orders to the Prince of Sutlsbach to quit the Island and transport himself and all his Forces leaving only a Garrison in Newburg into Zeland But these Orders came too late for they did not only want shipping in Funen but the whole Streight was covered with the Enemies numerous Fleet. The King seeing this dispatcht an Express to His Admiral to hasten thither with the Fleet which lay in the Haven of Lanskrown with all possible speed He being upon the Point to hoist sail received contrary commands to stay which were again followed by other Orders to come away and yet others in the neck of them not to stir and all in one and the same day so uncertain he was what to determine One while he resolved to fight them at Sea but finding the odds too great would pass over into Funen in person He fretted to see the Enemy brave it in his presence and could not suffer that his Army should engage in his absence But he had no shipping ready and the Enemy were absolutely Masters at Sea so that it was impossible for him either to fight them or joyn with his own Troops And thus this brave Prince being hurried betwixt the passions of hope
maintain that Peace wherein they had been joint Mediators The issue of my Negotiations was this The K. of Denmark absolutely refused to treat sperately with Sweden the K. of Sweden declares himself willing to treat but not willing to accept of the Rotschild Treaty as the terms and conditions of the Peace Pretending that this would be tacitly to accuse His last enterprise upon Denmark of injustice for if the Dane gave the occasion of the War by entring into new practises and combinations with his Enemies after the former Peace made which he avers they did though both Kings as is usual in such cases highly protest the right of their Cause and the justice of their Armes then sayes he I ought to have better security for the future that the Dane by an innate animosity and desire of revenge fomented by other States start not out upon every occasion to traverse my designs and work me mischief when they shall find me intangled in a remote War as formerly in Poland especially being contiguous with Sweden and so most capable of doing me hurt Besides that He pretended satisfaction for the loss of Thoren and a considerable part of Prussia occasioned by this diversion of his Arms in Denmark As also for the loss of these opportunities in Germany during the vacancy of the Empire which He might have improved by the presence of His Army in those parts and the assistance of France and his other Allies either to have turned aside the Succession from the House of Austria his Hereditary Enemy or to have capitulated advantages for himself with the Emperour that was to be Elected or at least wise to have prevented the conjunction and confederacy betwixt the now Emperour and the Electour of Brandenburg Many other difficulties lay in the way of the Rotschild Treaty amongst which it was not the least that the King had already disposed of to the Officers of his Court and Army the Lands in Schonen and Bleking which by the Treaty of Rotschild are reserved to their respective Proprietors viz. the Danish Nobility However after many instances and solicitations together with the advantage of the Report which was about this time confirmed from all hands that the Peace betwixt France and Spain was intended in good earnest which might probably oblige England to retire home their forces for their own security and slacken any assistance from France and so Sweden left alone to contest with so many Enemies His Majesty began at last to hearken to the Proposition of the Rotschild Treaty and by a Paper in writing signed by His Commissioners bearing date the 21 of April in answer to a former Memorial of mine expresly accepted the said Treaty but then subjoyned to the words of acceptance a provisional clause of better security than what was formerly granted him by the bare disposition of the Rotschild Treaty Which clause I not being satisfied with as that which might be interpreted as elusory of the fore-going words His Majesty soon after declared to me that as to point of future security He would acquiess in the special Garranty of England and France which I had power also to offer Him on the part of England In pursuance of the Instructions sent upon the Fleet under General Mountague and the better to facilitate the work of the Peace by engaging the States General to act in Consort with England and France A Treaty was concluded at the Hague the 11 of May 1659. Betwixt the three States in order to re-establish a Peace betwixt the two Northern Kings upon the root and foundation of the Rotschild Treaty There Weeks time was limited to the Negotiation of the publick Ministers upon the place after the expiration of which Term neither England nor the States were to assist either of the Kings who should refuse the Peace during his refusal The King of Sweden though unbeknown to the States General had already assented to treat upon the foot and foundation of the Rotschild Treaty his safe Conducts prepared his Commissioners nominated I as Mediator propounded Fredericksburg for the place of the Treaty which the King also accepted The Dutch Deputies Extraordinary from the States General to the two Kings who arrived about this time made their instances and applications to his Majesty of Denmark as I had formerly also done to draw from him a suitable concurrence to the Rotschild Treaty But that King still persisted in the same resolution not to treat separately but propounded an Universal Treaty at which the Ministers of his respective Allies and Confederates might be present and to this end nominated Lubec for the place of a general Assembly I urged upon the Dutch Deputies the fourth Article of the Treaty of the Hague wherein 't is covenanted that no assistance was to be given to the Prince that should refuse a Peace upon just and reasonable conditions which reasonable conditions are by the first Article to be expounded the Treaty at Rotschild Now he who refuses to treat which in this case according to the sense of the three Estates was to treat separately refuses a Peace upon what conditions soever The Deputies were at accord with me that His Majesty of Denmark continuing in that resolution their Fleets could no longer assist him and wrote to General Opdam their Commander in chief to the same effect who at that time was with his Fleet in the Belt He notwithstanding continued still to favour under-hand the Dane but durst not so vigorously and openly assist him as otherwise he would partly by reason of the contrary Advise and Orders which he had received from the Deputies of the States but more especially because over-awed by the presence of the English Fleet. This suspension of Assistance on the part of the Hollander though the English Fleet remained Neutral and acted nothing onely obliged the other to the performance of Covenants gave the Swede some considerable advantages who upon this opportunity reduced the Isles of Moenen Falster and Laland together with the capital Town of Naskow under his obedience The truth is the Dutch Deputies found themselves engaged in some difficulties for whereas they supposed that the King of Sweden would have been the refuser of the Treaty and consequently the English Fleet bound up from giving him any Assistance which was the main thing they aimed at and the King of Denmark the accepter and consequently the Dutch Fleet at liberty to assist him they found the quite contrary and so had tied up their own hands by their Treaty made at the Hague This was the state of Affairs in the Northern parts at the time of the Change of the Government here in England and the Parliaments being restored to their former authority And this was the true season of ripening things to a conclusion and if the Negotiation had continued still in the same train and method that is if the Parliament had either immediately sent new powers to me to act according to my former Instructions viz.