Mindesten for Træskoslaget, Køge

A small stone with a dramatic story behind it

Mindesten for Træskoslaget may look unassuming at first glance: a single memorial stone set within the streetscape of Nørregade in Køge. Yet it marks one of the most dramatic moments in the town’s history, the Battle of Køge in August 1807. This clash between British troops and Danish militia formed part of the wider Gunboat War, when Denmark–Norway tried to defend its fleet and territory in a tense European conflict. The stone stands close to where Danish forces offered organized resistance before being overwhelmed. Many of those who fought were local militiamen, not professional soldiers, and the memorial anchors that story in the very town they came from.

From battlefields to the “Clogs Battle” nickname

The battle is widely known in Danish as Træskoslaget – the “Clogs Battle” – a name that comes from the wooden clogs worn by many of the militiamen. As British troops advanced and the Danish lines broke, some soldiers are said to have thrown off their heavy clogs to flee more easily across the fields and lanes around Køge. The nickname captures the contrast between a great-power army and a locally raised defense force, drawn largely from farmers and townspeople. Standing by the stone, it is easy to imagine the chaos of that day: smoke from cannon fire drifting over the landscape, shouted orders, and the sudden collapse of an inexperienced army facing a professional opponent.

Commemorating sacrifice a century later

The memorial stone was erected in 1907, on the hundredth anniversary of the battle, at a time when anniversaries and monuments played an important role in shaping national memory. Its simple design reflects early 20th-century taste for sober, dignified commemoration rather than heroic statues on horseback. Inscribed text recalls the Danish militiamen who fell in the fighting, emphasizing both their sacrifice and their status as ordinary citizens called to arms. The stone ties local identity to larger national narratives of resistance and loss during the Napoleonic era, when Denmark found itself caught between rival great powers.

A quiet pause in the fabric of the old town

Today, Mindesten for Træskoslaget sits in a central, walkable part of Køge, within easy reach of the historic town square and the church. The surroundings are urban rather than park-like, but there is usually enough space nearby to pause, read the inscription and reflect without stepping far out of everyday pedestrian flow. Because the memorial is outdoors and always accessible, it is an easy addition to a broader stroll through Køge’s cobbled streets, timbered houses and churches. Even a brief stop provides a useful historical anchor, adding context to other sites linked to the same period and conflict.

Connecting local streets to wider European history

Although the stone focuses on the local militia, the events it recalls were part of a much wider story. The battle took place while British forces attempted to neutralize the Danish fleet to prevent it falling into French hands. Decisions taken in distant capitals translated into fighting on the edge of this market town, where farmers and townsfolk suddenly found themselves in the path of a major army. For visitors interested in history, the memorial offers a compact, tangible starting point for exploring themes such as small-state politics, citizen armies and the human cost of strategic decisions. It is a reminder that even quiet provincial streets can have roots in far-reaching global events.

A brief but meaningful stop on a Køge itinerary

Mindesten for Træskoslaget is not a destination that demands a long visit, but it rewards those who take a few extra minutes to read, think and perhaps look up more about the Battle of Køge. Combined with nearby museums, churches and historic squares, it forms part of a network of places that together tell the story of the town. History enthusiasts, students, families and casual urban explorers alike can use this spot as a simple, accessible waypoint in understanding how conflict, memory and everyday life intersect in contemporary Køge.