On November 12, 1720 Peter Tordenskjold died in a sword duel.
He is also cited in the Danish royal anthem.
The Danish-Norwegian kingdom went through difficult years, defeated again and again by their northern enemies in successive contests.
But things did not go well and thestatus quoreturned.
Peter Tordenskjold threatens the commendant Danckwardt in the Swedish city Marstrand during the siege 1719.
Painted by the Danish artist Otto Bache (1875).
They did not look favorably on that way of fighting, nor did they bear his bravado.
For fourteen hours both ships took shot at each other and suffered considerable damage in the process.
Then Wessel had a boat lowered and sent with a white flag.
A painting by naval officer Bernhard Grodtschilling showing vessels from the Danish navy in the Great Northern War.
The ship at the center is Lvendals Galej.
Obviously the proposal was not accepted but they did toast together and exchange compliments.
Then, given the battered state of the two ships, each one went their own way.
He also captured the frigateVita Orn, which was renamedHvide rnand placed under his command.
But his career did not end there, far from it.
Portrait of Peter Tordenskjold by Jacob Coning.
The failure in the mission meant that in 1718 he was again brought before a court for recklessness.
Shortly after the trial, Tordenskjold rose through the ranks again, reaching rear admiral in December.
Success made him vice-admiral just as the war between Sweden and the kingdom of Denmark-Norway was ending.
The irony of fate wanted him to die not in battle, but by fighting against a Swede.
Von Holstein was ten years older than his opponent.
Then Von Holstein challenged him to a duel.
Servant Christian Kold, prays by Tordenskiold’s side after his death in the duel.
Painting by Vilhelm Rosenstand.
This article was originally published inLa Brujula Verde.
It has been translated from Spanish and republished with permission.
