15 Facts About Niels Juel

Niels Juel served as supreme commander of the Dano-Norwegian Navy during the late 17th century and oversaw development of the Danish-Norwegian Navy.

Niels Juel was born the son of Erik Juel and Sophie Sehested, both of whom were descended from Danish nobility, who lived in Jutland where the father had a career as a local functionary and judge.

Niels Juel was the brother of the diplomat Jens Juel.

Niels Juel was born in Christiania, Norway, where his family sought refuge during the 1627 invasion of Jutland during the Thirty Years' War, while his father took part in the defense of the country at home.

From 1635 to 1642, Juel was brought up by his aunt Karen Sehested at the Stenalt estate near Randers.

Niels Juel served his naval apprenticeship under Dutch Admiral Maarten Tromp and Dutch Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, taking part in all the major engagements of the First Anglo-Dutch War, a conflict between England and the Dutch Republic.

Niels Juel served with distinction during the Dano-Swedish War and took a prominent part in the defence of Copenhagen against the forces of King Charles X of Sweden.

Niels Juel then won a European reputation, and raised Danish sea-power to unprecedented eminence, by the system of naval tactics, which consisted of cutting off a part of the enemy's force and concentrating the whole attack on it.

Niels Juel first employed this maneuver at the Battle of Jasmund off Rugen when he broke through the enemy's line in close column and cut off five of their ships, despite nightfall prevented him from pursuing them.

Niels Juel's operations were considerably hampered at this period by the conduct of his auxiliary, Dutch Lieutenant Admiral Philips van Almonde, who accused the Danish admiral of cowardice.

Niels Juel took a leading part in Cornelis Tromp's great victory off Battle of Oland, which enabled the Danes to invade Scania unopposed.

In spring 1678, Niels Juel put to sea with 84 ships carrying 2,400 cannon, but as the Swedes were no longer had the naval strength to engage such a formidable fleet on the open sea, his operations were limited to blockading the Swedish ports and transporting troops to Rugen.

Niels Juel was the daughter of nobleman Knud Ulfeldt and Vibeke Podebusk.

Niels Juel was betrothed to him after her father died when she was 20, he was 30 years old.

Niels Juel gave birth to their four children between 1664 and 1672.