On December the 4th 1676 two armies had faced each other near the city of Lund in Sweden. The invading Danish force numbering some 12,300 strong was led by 31 year old King Christian V of Denmark and carefully advised by General Carl von Arensdorff. Standing to face them was the outnumbered Swedish army of 8,000 commanded by King Charles XI of Sweden and Field Marshal Simon Grundel-Helmfelt. Although Swedish forces were lacking numerical equality they had a strong determination to defend their country.

King of Sweden, Charles XI, during the battle of Lund in 1676. Painting by Johan Philip Lemke

The Battle of Lund was fought over an entire day and when darkness fell the victor was determined.

In order to have any chance against the much larger Danish army, Field Marshal Simon Grundel-Helmfelt had to forge a daring plan which had the precious element of surprise on his side. He already received intelligence that the Danish army believes his forces are comfortably entered a winter camp. The element of surprise became obvious, he had to attack when the Danes were still asleep and even more he had now the chance.

A December’s morning cold winds accompanied the Swedish forces in their attempt to cross the river Kaevlinge that separated the two camps and meat the Danes. By 6 AM the entire Swedish army has successfully been moved to the south bank of the river. Now he had to meditate on another problem. Even if the Danish army was sleeping comfortably in their campaign tents, an infantry attack would end in disaster, sentries would surely spot the oncoming threat and alarm the army. Haste was needed and the only ones capable of a quick attack were his cavalry.

Field Marshal Simon Grundel-Helmfelt ordered the cavalry to attack the Danish camp from the south-east. He had to cancel the order because scouts reported an unsuitable terrain for mounted units. Charles XI of Sweden had now to rethink the new situation and elaborate with his generals a new plan.

To gain a tactical advantage he ordered his men to take control of the hills near the north wall of Lund. This maneuver has not passed with stealth and the Danish army got aware of what was happening. A real king of the hill fight started between the Danish left wing and the Swedes’ right, in the end Swedish success became reality and the Danes were pushed to the east.

Christian V of Demark managed to organize his army in battle formations by the time the Sun was clearly visible in the morning sky. Now the decisive battle would begin with his Danish forces and their 56 guns ready. The battlefield presented a line over a mile long with the Swedes to the west and the Danes to the east. King Charles XI of Sweden has had far less artillery available, only a total of ten guns, thus conferring him the uncomfortable position of numerical inferiority in every aspect.

Charles XI entered the opening of the battle with a successful flanking maneuver to crush the Danish left flank. His action brought the Danish commander Carl von Arensdorff in the care of military physicians after being badly wounded. Heavy damage was inflicted in the Danish line and Field Marshal Helmfelt took the cavalry and accompanied by the Swedish king pursued the fleeing Danish infantry.

Gaining control of the right flank was an advantage soon dismissed by the events on the left wing where the Danes fought vigorously and pushed the Swedes back. Even now they had still less troops to confront the enemy, soldiers began wondering where their leader is, their eyes searched their king who was not in sight. But by sunset when the Swedish live was close to admit defeat, King Charles XI returned with his cavalry rejuvenating his tired soldiers. After a hard struggle and Charles XI managed to break through the Danish line and join is fellow countrymen. Swedish troops found new energy to carry on the fight and not even an hour passed from their king’s return and the Danish army broke.

The Danes commenced to a desperate retreat with the Swedish cavalry in the back annihilating any troops who dared to stand in their way. Many Danes have been killed in the retreat until Field Marshal Simon Grundel-Helmfelt ordered that any surrendering troops will be given courtesy.

The night had fallen and the victorious was incontestably Charles XI of Sweden, but the Scanian War was far from over.