Danish protection of merchant convoys, including vessels using Danish neutrality, led to the clash involving the frigate Freya. Freya refused a British search and fought until the larger inspecting squadron forced her to strike, after which Denmark-Norway looked to Russia for support. A British visit to Copenhagen briefly produced rules for convoys, but Russia's renewed League of Armed Neutrality and alliance with France made the settlement unstable. Denmark-Norway feared that abandoning the league would invite pressure or invasion from its continental neighbours, while Britain feared the alternative.
Chapter · 20:59-30:41
Danish convoys and the road to war
Danish escorted trade, the Freya incident, and Russia's league placed Denmark-Norway between British blockade policy and continental coercion.