Battle of Copenhagen (1807)

The Battle of Copenhagen (also known as the Bombardment of Copenhagen) occurred between 16 August and 7 September 1807 during the Napoleonic Wars. British forces bombarded the Danish capital of Copenhagen in order to capture or destroy the Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy. Following the bombardment, defending Danish forces surrendered to the British along with most of their navy, which was taken to England. The battle led to the outbreak of the Anglo-Russian War of 1807–1812.

From 1803 onwards, Britain and France had been embroiled in the Napoleonic Wars, and by 1807 both nations were focused on Denmark, which maintained a large navy. The Danish government attempted to remain neutral, but this pleased neither the British or French, with the former being concerned by the possibility of France taking control of the Danish navy. In mid-July 1807, George III authorised a British expedition to monitor Copenhagen and capture the city if necessary. On 26 July, Admiral James Gambier set sail for Copenhagen leading a fleet of 17 warships and several troopships transporting 18,000 soldiers, arriving off the city on 15 August.

British troops landed at Vedbæk on 16 August and began besieging Copenhagen, defeating a Danish army at the Battle of Køge on 29 August. On 2 September, Gambier's fleet began bombarding Copenhagen, which led to the city's defenders suing for peace on 5 September and surrendering two days later. Most of the Danish navy was captured and sailed to England, while several Danish warships under construction were destroyed by the British. Following the battle, the Danes allied with France and joined the anti-British Continental System, along with engaging in the Gunboat War against Britain. The attack gave rise to the term to Copenhagenize as a reference to the pre-emptive seizure of a nation's fleet while it was anchored.