The battle was a part of the blockade that the Royal Navy maintained on the country from 1807 to 1814 during the Napoleonic Wars.

[1] HMS Venus was in pursuit of four Dano-Norwegian merchant vessels that had sought refuge in the fjord leading to Grimstad.

Among these vessels was the sloop Frau Maria, which was en-route from Bergen to Flensburg carrying fish, salt, and cod liver oil.

[1] Venus anchored outside the outer islands of Grimstad and deployed three small boats manned by Royal Marines.

Dano-Norwegian forces in Grimstad mobilized and engaged the British-controlled sloop using rifles and a few small cannons.