Frederik VI ruled as King of Denmark from 1806 until 1839. Before that he had ruled as Crown Prince on behalf of Christian VII after having seized power by means of a coup d'état in 1784. Frederik began his long regency by implementing far-sighted measures, including the great agricultural reforms, in cooperation with competent advisors. In contrast, the Napoleonic Wars, which for Denmark meant the Battle of Copenhagen of 1801, the Bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807, and the relinquishing of Norway in 1814, did not go well for Frederik VI.

Frederik VI did not care for revolutions, but he reigned in an age in which absolute monarchy became controversial, and as King he had to take action to confront contemporary demands for social reforms.

This book is part of the Crown Series, a series of small books on the Danish monarchy and related subjects published in cooperation with the Royal Danish Collection.