Battle of Friedland
Pravdinsk (formerly Friedland), Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia
What happened
Napoleon's French army, with Saxon and Polish troops, fought the Russian army of General Levin August von Bennigsen. Bennigsen sent his army across the Alle River, hoping to destroy Marshal Lannes's lone corps before Napoleon arrived. Lannes held on until Napoleon brought up his army. Napoleon attacked the Russian left, which was trapped against the river, and the Russians retreated back across the Alle.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It effectively ended the War of the Fourth Coalition. Tsar Alexander I agreed to peace talks.
What came next
At the Treaties of Tilsit, Russia joined Napoleon's trade blockade of Britain and Prussia lost almost half its land. Part of those lands became the Kingdom of Westphalia, ruled by Napoleon's brother Jérôme.
Did you know?
At Tilsit, Alexander reportedly told Napoleon, 'I hate the English as much as you do', and Napoleon replied, 'Then we have already made peace.'
Timeline
- 1807The Battle of Eylau is indecisive.
- 14 June 1807Napoleon wins at Friedland.
- 1807The Treaties of Tilsit are signed.
- 1946Friedland is renamed Pravdinsk.