Frederick VI of Denmark

As Crown Prince Regent, Frederick VI led the Danish defense against a British fleet under Nelson that attacked Copenhagen to break up the League of Armed Neutrality. The Danish fleet was destroyed, but Frederick's resistance earned him popularity. Denmark was forced to withdraw from the League.

Britain, fearing the Danish fleet would fall into Napoleon's hands, bombarded Copenhagen and captured the Danish navy. Frederick VI, who had refused to surrender the fleet, was forced into an alliance with France. This event devastated the city and led to Denmark's involvement in the Napoleonic Wars.

After Napoleon's defeat, Denmark-Norway, as a French ally, was forced to cede Norway to Sweden under the Treaty of Kiel. Frederick VI accepted the loss, ending the 400-year union between Denmark and Norway. This was a major territorial and national humiliation for Denmark.

In response to growing liberal demands, Frederick VI established four consultative provincial assemblies (St