‘Breaching neutrality’ : English prize-taking and Swedish neutrality in the First Anglo-Dutch War, 1651-1654

Abstract

This article considers the impact of English seizure of neutral Swedish vessels during the First Anglo-Dutch War. These actions were undertaken at a time when no bi-lateral 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.