Brätte Grows

In the 1610s, Brätte doubled its population. During the Kalmar War between Sweden and Denmark, the town of Nya Lödöse was burned in 1612 and the fortress of Älvsborg was pledged to Denmark. This meant that Sweden's only gateway to the North Sea was closed, as Halland and Bohuslän were Danish provinces. Around 250 people who had lived in Nya Lödöse then settled in Brätte and the town's population grew to around 450 inhabitants. Brätte gained several new craftsmen and traders. The economy was strengthened and it became the country's westernmost shipping port.

In 1619, Sweden redeemed Älvsborg for 1 million riksdaler and then Gothenburg was founded, which became a difficult trading competitor to Brätte.