'Breaching Neutrality': English prize-taking and Swedish neutrality in the First Anglo-Dutch War, 1651–1654. Issue 2 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murdoch, Steve
• Is Part Of: Mariner's mirror. Volume 105:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 134
• Page End: 147
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Anglo-Dutch War -- maritime law -- neutrality -- privateering -- naval warfare -- early modern -- English history -- Swedish history; Naval history -- Periodicals; Naval art and science -- Periodicals; Maritieme geschiedenis (wetenschap); Electronic journals; History -- Periodicals; 623.805
• DOI: 10.1080/00253359.2019.1589112
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-680X

Abstract

Abstract : This article considers the impact of English seizure of neutral Swedish vessels during the First Anglo-Dutch War, 1651–4. These actions were undertaken at a time when no bilateral diplomatic treaty existed between the two nations and thus the legal basis for such prize-taking was hotly disputed on both sides. Through an examination of extant sources in both England and Sweden, the article scrutinises a number of case studies in a period where the concept of any meaningful international maritime law remained primitive. It concludes with a review of the diplomatic machinations which sought to recover ships, goods or compensation in the years following the conclusion of the war.