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Norwegian FortressesNorwegian Fortresses A Historical Context for Norwegian Fortresses Most Norwegian fortresses were constructed in the period of intense competition among the Baltic powers (Denmark-Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland and the German states) for northern supremacy. The 17th and beginning of the 18th Century was a period of virtually continuous war or preparation for war: In 1600 Denmark controlled virtually all land bordering on the Skagerrak, Kattegat, Store Blt and the restricted Sound (resund). The current Swedish provinces of Skne and Halland were Danish and the province of Bahusln was then Norwegian (as they had been for all recorded history). All powers interested in Baltic trade or otherwise forced to pass through waters controlled by Denmark had a strong interest in breaking Denmarks control and lifting the Sound dues Denmark levied for passage through the resund. Hence the naval trading powers, particularly Holland and England, contributed to the Northern unrest of the period. And the larger political balance in Europe can not be forgotten. As one example, the danger of French domination under Louis XIV resulted in a 1668 triple alliance of England, Holland and Sweden. This alliance worked to Swedens favor when treaties were negotiated. Norwegian Fortresses Links to Norwegian Fortresses References Norges festninger by Guthorm Kavli; Universitetsforlaget; 1987; ISBN 82-00-18430-7 The Struggle for Supremacy in the Baltic: 1600-1725 by Jill Lisk; Funk & Wagnalls, New York, 1967 The Northern Wars, 1558-1721 by Robert I. Frost; Longman, Harlow, England; 2000 ISBN 0-582-06429-5
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