Treaty of Frederiksborg - November 9, 1720

On November 9, 1720, the Treaty of Frederiksborg was signed between Sweden and Denmark-Norway at Frederiksborg Castle, effectively ending the hostilities between these nations as part of the broader conflict known as the Great Northern War. This conflict had engulfed numerous Northern European powers, including Russia, Poland-Lithuania, and part of the time, Saxony, against the Swedish Empire as they contended for supremacy in the Baltic region.

Background

The Great Northern War (1700-1721) was a pivotal series of military campaigns involving a coalition against the Swedish Empire, then a dominant power in Northern Europe under King Charles XII. After a series of initial Swedish victories, the tide of war turned against Sweden following Charles XII’s disastrous invasion of Russia, particularly the Battle of Poltava in 1709, which marked the beginning of Sweden’s decline as a major power.

In the latter stages of the war, Denmark-Norway sought to recover territories lost to Sweden earlier in the Treaty of Roskilde (1658). The conflict between Sweden and Denmark-Norway had been characterized by a series of engagements both on land and at sea, with key battles such as the Battle of Dynekilen in 1716 and the Danish invasion attempt thwarted in the Battle of Strömstad.

The Treaty

Negotiations leading up to the Treaty of Frederiksborg were influenced heavily by broader European power dynamics and the desire to stabilize a war-torn region. By late 1720, Charles XII had died, and Sweden, facing pressure from multiple fronts and economic exhaustion, was willing to seek peace.

Terms of the Treaty

1. Territorial Adjustments: Sweden agreed to minor territorial concessions, but most importantly, they retained control over Swedish Pomerania, a significant point of negotiation. Denmark-Norway had aimed to exert influence over these regions.

2. Financial Compensation: Sweden conceded to pay Denmark-Norway approximately 600,000 riksdalers, a sum which symbolically underscored its declining position.

3. Naval Limitations: Denmark accepted restrictions on building fortifications in certain areas, as part of ensuring regional stability and curbing further conflict.

Aftermath and Significance

The Treaty of Frederiksborg represented a shift in Scandinavian geopolitics. Though Sweden had largely maintained crucial territories, the war had depleted its resources and signaled the waning of its era as a major European power. Conversely, Denmark-Norway emerged in a somewhat stronger regional position, despite failing to reclaim all previously lost territories.

While the treaty did not completely resolve all animosities, it laid the groundwork for a peaceful northern Europe. The broader Great Northern War would continue until the Treaty of Nystad in 1721 marked the official end, with Russia solidifying its ascending status and reshaping the balance of power in the Baltic region.