Battles & Campaigns · 1613
Treaty of Knäred
Knäred, Halland, Sweden
What happened
The two kingdoms had fought the Kalmar War since 1611. Peace talks began on English initiative and the treaty was signed at a border bridge near Knäred. Both sides gave back what they had taken, but Sweden had to pay a huge ransom to get back its fortress of Älvsborg.
Why it matters
It ended the Kalmar War. Älvsborg was Sweden's only access to the sea in the west, so getting it back mattered greatly.
What came next
Sweden finished paying the ransom by 1619. In 1925 a memorial stone was put up at the site.
Did you know?
The ransom for Älvsborg was one million riksdaler.
Timeline
- 1611Kalmar War begins.
- Jan 1613Treaty of Knäred.
- 1619Älvsborg ransom fully paid.
- 1925Memorial stone erected at the site.