Finnish War

Russia invaded Swedish Finland in February 1808 after diplomatic pressure associated with the Continental System. Swedish forces resisted on land and in the archipelago but could not recover the territory.

The Treaty of Fredrikshamn transferred Finland to Russia as an autonomous grand duchy. The war also destabilised the Swedish monarchy and altered the strategic balance of the Baltic.

The Baltic Prize places Kydd’s squadron alongside the northern campaigns and makes control of sea routes essential to Sweden’s survival.