Siege of Viborg (1599)
| Siege of Viborg | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the War against Sigismund | |||||||||
Overview of Viborg from 1644 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Sweden | |||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Duke Charles Axel Ryning Peder Stolpe |
Arvid Henriksson Tavast Ivar Tavast Lorentz Mårtensson Axel Kurck (POW) Kasper Tiesenhausen Willam Farensbach | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
| Several landsknecht companies |
Viborg garrison Three cavalry companies | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| Unknown |
1,200–3,000 men in the garrison c. 300–400 men in the relief force | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Minor | Several killed and captured | ||||||||
The siege of Viborg (Swedish: belägringen av Viborg) occurred from 21–23 September 1599 during the War against Sigismund. A force led by Duke Charles (later Charles IX) besieged the town and castle of Viborg, capturing the town shortly after landing and forcing the castle garrison to capitulate two days later.
In August 1599, Charles launched an expedition to Finland, defeating forces led by Axel Kurck at the battle of S:t Mårtens before advancing on Helsinki, where he seized several ships. He departed the city on 17 September and reached Viborg on 21 September. After the town refused his demand to surrender, Charles landed his troops and captured the suburb of Siikaniemi.
The burghers of Viborg largely sympathized with Charles, refusing to assist in the town's defense and raising food prices for the garrison. On the day of Charles' arrival, a group of burghers offered to open the Håkans/Vattu Gate for the Swedish forces if their lives and property were protected. Peder Stolpe subsequently assaulted and captured the gate with several companies at 3 p.m., allowing Charles' troops to enter the town.
As the situation for the defenders worsened, negotiations began on 23 September, and the castle capitulated later that day.