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Battle of Lützen

Type Event Region Europe Time 1632

In November 1632, a key Thirty Years' War battle erupted near Lützen in the Saxon lands of the Holy Roman Empire, where Swedish King Gustavus II led …

Timeline

  1. 1632Electorate of Saxony · Electorate of SaxonyIn autumn 1632, Gustavus II joined forces with the Saxon Elector's army, pursuing Wallenstein southwest from Leipzig; Wallenstein stationed his main force near Lützen, forming a standoff. Gustavus resolved on a quick battle, marching rapidly in early November to approach the Imperial positions.
  2. 1632Battlefield of Lützen · Electorate of SaxonyThe battle began at dawn in heavy fog, with about 20,000 men on each side fighting for hours. Gustavus personally led a charge of the right-wing cavalry and was shot dead in the melee. Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar took over command and rallied morale to continue the fight; the Imperial left wing finally broke and Wallenstein withdrew with the remnants to Bohemia.
  3. 1632Lützen and Saxony · Electorate of SaxonyThe Protestant coalition occupied the field and won a tactical victory at a terrible cost. Gustavus II's body was returned to Stockholm for a state funeral. Swedish leadership of the war passed to a regency council led by Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna, significantly changing the war's course. Wallenstein was assassinated within two years of withdrawing to Bohemia, and the Imperial army also fell into difficulties.

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