Wilson, Peter H. Lützen 1632

The most famous battle of the 30 Years War.
This book is the first to combine an analysis of the battle itself with an assessment of its cultural, political and military legacy, and, moreover, the first to take into account the latest archaeological findings for a reassessment of the events and their significance. In doing so, it challenges the commonly held view that Lützen was a milestone in military development, arguing instead that the impact of the battle was much more significant on a cultural and political level.

The Thirty Years' War (1618-48) was the most destructive conflict in Europe before the two world wars. In November 1632, in the midst of this terrible war, two of the greatest generals in European history faced each other at Lützen. Neither of them was able to achieve the goal they had set for themselves. Albrecht von Wallenstein withdrew his battered imperial army at nightfall, unaware that his opponent, King Gustav Adolf of Sweden, had died a few hours earlier.
The inconclusive outcome of the battle was soon reflected in pictures and writings and became the subject of political and historical disputes. Swedish propaganda quickly cultivated the enduring image of the king as having sacrificed himself for the Protestant cause and against the spectre of a Catholic-Habsburg "universal monarchy". The common assumption that the king "died in the hour of victory" became an essential part of the way Gustav Adolf's contribution to modern warfare was kept alive, even celebrated. And if we look at the wider impact of Lützen, we can see how such events were permanently reinterpreted as elements of propaganda, religious or national identity and a professional military culture. The religious and political references of the battle also led to its adoption as a symbol by proponents of German unity under Prussian leadership. The battlefield remains a pilgrimage site to this day and is also a place where Protestant-German and Nordic cultures are cultivated.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Context: The Thirty Years' War
Chapter 3 - The campaigns of 1630-32
Chapter 4 - The battle
Chapter 5 - Military legacy
Chapter 6 - Political and cultural legacy
Chapter 7 - Conclusion

Final notes
Battle orders
Image credits
Bibliography
Index.