| Fort Frederiksborg | |
|---|---|
| Part ofDanish Gold Coast | |
_-_some_now_first_printed_from_original_manuscripts%2c_others_now_first_published_in_English_-_in_six_volumes_with_a_general_preface_giving_an_account_of_(20006160073).jpg) Illustration fromA Collection of Voyages and Travels Fort Frederiksborg (Ghana) | |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1661 (1661) |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Denmark-Norway (1661-1679) England (1679-1700) |
Fort Frederiksborg, laterFort Royal, was aDanish-Norwegian and laterEnglish fort on theGold Coast in contemporaryGhana. It was built in 1661, with the approval of the King of Fetu, a few hundred yards fromCape Coast Castle, which was at that time in Swedish hands, on Amanfro Hill.[1] Along with severalother castles and forts nearby, Fort Frederiksborg was inscribed on theWorld Heritage List in 1979 because of its testimony to European economic influence on West Africa and theAtlantic slave trade.[2]
Frederiksborg was a small fort from which Cape Coast Castle could easily be bombarded. It functioned for a short time as the headquarters of theDanish West India Company on theDanish Gold Coast, before it was moved toChristiansborg Castle in Osu.[3]
In 1665 the EnglishRoyal African Company took overCape Coast Castle and reinforced it to use it as their new headquarters. The Danes had little use of their fort. The fort was first pawned to the English in 1679 before it was finally sold to them in 1685.[4]
The English reconstructed the fort in 1699 and renamed itFort Royal. They soon abandoned it again, however.[4]
