The History of the Thirty Years' War   By: Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805)

Translated from the German by the Rev. A. J. W. Morrison, M.A.

Preface

The present is the only collected edition of the principal works of Schiller which is accessible to English readers. Detached poems or dramas have been translated at various times, and sometimes by men of eminence, since the first publication of the original works; and in several instances these versions have been incorporated, after some revision or necessary correction, into the following collection; but on the other hand a large proportion of the contents have been specially translated for this edition, in which category are the historical works which occupy this volume and a portion of the next.

Schiller was not less efficiently qualified by nature for an historian than for a dramatist. He was formed to excel in all departments of literature, and the admirable lucidity of style and soundness and impartiality of judgment displayed in his historical writings will not easily by surpassed, and will always recommend them as popular expositions of the periods of which they treat.

Since the first publication of this edition many corrections and improvements have been made, with a view to rendering it as acceptable as possible to English readers.

Contents

History of the Thirty Years' War

Book I.

Introduction. General effects of the Reformation. Revolt of Matthias. The Emperor cedes Austria and Hungary to him. Matthias acknowledged King of Bohemia. The Elector of Cologne abjures the Catholic Religion. Consequences. The Elector Palatine. Dispute respecting the Succession of Juliers. Designs of Henry IV. of France. Formation of the Union. The League. Death of the Emperor Rodolph. Matthias succeeds him. Troubles in Bohemia. Civil War. Ferdinand extirpates the Protestant Religion from Styria. The Elector Palatine, Frederick V., is chosen King by the Bohemians. He accepts the Crown of Bohemia. Bethlen Gabor, Prince of Transylvania, invades Austria. The Duke of Bavaria and the Princes of the League embrace the cause of Ferdinand. The Union arm for Frederick. The Battle of Prague and total subjection of Bohemia.

Book II.

State of the Empire. Of Europe. Mansfeld. Christian, Duke of Brunswick. Wallenstein raises an Imperial Army at his own expense. The King of Denmark defeated. Death of Mansfeld. Edict of Restitution in 1628. Diet at Ratisbon. Negociations. Wallenstein deprived of the Command. Gustavus Adolphus. Swedish Army. Gustavus Adolphus takes his leave of the States at Stockholm. Invasion by the Swedes. Their progress in Germany. Count Tilly takes the Command of the Imperial Troops. Treaty with France. Congress at Leipzig. Siege and cruel fate of Magdeburg. Firmness of the Landgrave of Cassel. Junction of the Saxons with the Swedes. Battle of Leipzig. Consequences of that Victory.

Book III.

Situation of Gustavus Adolphus after the Battle of Leipzig. Progress of Gustavus Adolphus. The French invade Lorraine. Frankfort taken. Capitulation of Mentz. Tilly ordered by Maximilian to protect Bavaria. Gustavus Adolphus passes the Lech. Defeat and Death of Tilly. Gustavus takes Munich. The Saxon Army invades Bohemia, and takes Prague. Distress of the Emperor. Secret Triumph of Wallenstein. He offers to Join Gustavus Adolphus. Wallenstein re assumes the Command. Junction of Wallenstein with the Bavarians. Gustavus Adolphus defends Nuremberg. Attacks Wallenstein's Intrenchments. Enters Saxony. Goes to the succour of the Elector of Saxony. Marches against Wallenstein. Battle of Lutzen. Death of Gustavus Adolphus. Situation of Germany after the Battle of Lutzen.

Book IV.