1675-1700

From 1675 to 1679 the Scanian War was fought with Sweden. But the final goal, to win back Scania, was not reached as no European state would allow both sides of Øresund to be ruled by the same power again. During the war Griffenfeld, who during the previous years was probably Denmark’s most powerful official and politician, was arrested and convicted for treason.

Domestically the end of the 17th century was an age of reform, meant to safeguard Absolutism and to make Denmark a well organised state. A main event was the unification of legislation in one systematic Statute Book, Christian V’s Danish Law, which replaced the provincial laws. Also, in 1688, all agricultural land was measured and registered. That made more efficient taxation possible.

The Baroque gradually gained a footing in Denmark, especially after the death of Christian IV. It was now the dominating style with Abraham Wuchters as a distinguished representative.