Produced by A. Light
THE HISTORY OF THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR
By Frederick Schiller
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 ofSchiller which is accessible to English readers. Detached poems ordramas have been translated at various times, and sometimes by men ofeminence, since the first publication of the original works; and inseveral instances these versions have been incorporated, after somerevision or necessary correction, into the following collection; but onthe other hand a large proportion of the contents have been speciallytranslated for this edition, in which category are the historical workswhich occupy this volume and a portion of the next.
Schiller was not less efficiently qualified by nature for an historianthan for a dramatist. He was formed to excel in all departments ofliterature, and the admirable lucidity of style and soundness andimpartiality of judgment displayed in his historical writings willnot easily by surpassed, and will always recommend them as popularexpositions of the periods of which they treat.
Since the first publication of this edition many corrections andimprovements have been made, with a view to rendering it as acceptableas possible to English readers.
Contents
History of the Thirty Years' War
Book I.
Introduction. — General effects of the Reformation. — Revolt ofMatthias. — The Emperor cedes Austria and Hungary to him. — Matthiasacknowledged King of Bohemia. — The Elector of Cologne abjures theCatholic Religion. — Consequences. — The Elector Palatine. — Disputerespecting the Succession of Juliers. — Designs of Henry IV. of France.— Formation of the Union. — The League. — Death of the EmperorRodolph. — Matthias succeeds him. — Troubles in Bohemia. — CivilWar. — Ferdinand extirpates the Protestant Religion from Styria. — TheElector Palatine, Frederick V., is chosen King by the Bohemians. — Heaccepts the Crown of Bohemia. — Bethlen Gabor, Prince of Transylvania,invades Austria. — The Duke of Bavaria and the Princes of the Leagueembrace the cause of Ferdinand. — The Union arm for Frederick. — TheBattle of Prague and total subjection of Bohemia.
Book II.
State of the Empire. — Of Europe. — Mansfeld. — Christian, Duke ofBrunswick. — Wallenstein raises an Imperial Army at his own expense.— The King of Denmark defeated. — Death of Mansfeld. — Edictof Restitution in 1628. — Diet at Ratisbon. — Negociations. —Wallenstein deprived of the Command. — Gustavus Adolphus. — SwedishArmy. — Gustavus Adolphus takes his leave of the States at Stockholm.— Invasion by the Swedes. — Their progress in Germany. — Count Tillytakes the Command of the Imperial Troops. — Treaty with France. —Congress at Leipzig. — Siege and cruel fate of Magdeburg. — Firmnessof 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. — Progressof Gustavus Adolphus. — The French invade Lorraine. — Frankfort taken.— Capitulation of Mentz. — Tilly ordered by Maximilian to protectBavaria. — Gustavus Adolphus passes the Lech. — Defeat and Death ofTilly. — Gustavus takes Munich. — The Saxon Army invades Bohemia,and takes Prague. — Distress of the Emperor. — Secret Triumph ofWallenstein.