Johannes Klingenberg Sejersted

Already in 1813, on Christian Frederick's request, Sejersted had crafted a military plan for a soon-to-become-independent Norway. The plan was defensive. In principle it was a copy of Christian August's actions in 1808; specifically Sejersted did not wish to invade Sweden, only route Swedish forces from Norway if necessary.[1]

In January 1814 the Treaty of Kiel was signed, giving Sweden (as a victorious country in the Napoleonic Wars) control over Norway.[4] In the same month Sejersted received a direct order to create a more offensive strategic plan. He did so, however the plan was never actually followed.[1] Since Norwegian independence ran afoul of the Treaty of Kiel, Sweden took action and invaded Norway in the summer.[5] In reality, then, Norway came to follow a defensive strategy. However, there were some important discrepancies between Sejersted's politically influenced plan and the battleground. Thus, Norwegian forces experienced a retreat from Rakkestad near the Swedish border early in the conflict. Sejersted then crafted a new plan, but this was abandoned as Christian Frederick, in May crowned as King and thus commander-in-chief, abandoned a Norwegian stronghold at Langnes. A third defensive plan followed, but again the King acted against it to achieve a short-term goal.[1] In sum Sejersted appealed fruitlessly to Christian Frederick to enact a truly forceful defence of Norway,[2] and in the latter phase of the conflict he stood without real influence.[1] Sweden overran Norway, leading to the Convention of Moss, a new Constitution in November and the ascent of Charles II to the throne in a personal union between Sweden and Norway.[6]