Introduction: Making Copenhagening a Verb - 2nd Battle of Copenhagen (1807) p1 of 2

The 1807 expedition grew from Napoleon's Continental System and Britain's dependence on Baltic supplies and North Sea trade.

The blind-eye episode explains how Nelson could continue the 1801 attack after Admiral Hyde Parker signalled from the supporting force.

Denmark repeated its central vulnerability from 1801 by leaving an unready fleet concentrated in a lightly defended capital.

The Dardanelles comparison focuses on how defenders learn between attacks, making Denmark's repeated exposure at Copenhagen the exception.

Denmark faced a real choice between French invasion by land and British attack by sea, but French alignment demanded naval preparations Copenhagen had not made.

In this shorthand, to "Copenhagen" an opponent meant taking it by surprise and seizing the means of resistance.

The 1801 battle shows how narrow channels and shore batteries favoured a prepared defender, while specialist British mortar ships helped open the way for Nelson.

James Gambier's long service, support for education, and cautious decision at the Battle of the Basque Roads frame the later accusations against him.

William Cathcart's later service in Russia shows why the army commander brought diplomatic as well as military experience to Copenhagen.

Cathcart directed senior generals, the King's German Legion, engineers, and 185 field and siege guns, giving the expedition weight ashore.

Gambier chose capable 74-gun and 64-gun third rates for Copenhagen, preserving scarce first rates for operations elsewhere.

Gambier selected the 98-gun Prince of Wales for its mast height and the view it gave him across a complex combined operation.

A roster of experienced captains and another rear admiral shows how much command talent the Admiralty committed to Copenhagen.

Third rates offered the strength to face likely opponents and enough handiness to work toward Copenhagen's shallow approaches.

The British force waited visibly through August, using the threat of another Copenhagen attack to press Denmark toward negotiation.