The Thirty Years' War

Date: 1618 - 1648
Location: Germany

The Battle of Lützen by Carl Wahlbom shows the death of King Gustavus Adolphus on 16 November 1632.

The Protestant Reformation, that was established by Martin Luther, a German Monk, led to several wars in Europe the following two centuries. Amongst the first of these wars was the Thirty Years' War that commenced in 1618. Several German States allied with Gustvus Adolphus of Sweden against the Catholic forces of the Holy Roman Empire. The army of Gustavus, that grew larger and larger through the surrender of several German States until it reached some 170000 men spread throughout Germany, had clashed with the Catholic army for the first time decisively at Lutzen on November 6, 1632. Although Gustavus Adolphus was killed in battle, his army won a glorious and triumphal victory, which, in 1648, led to the surrender of Albrecht von Wallenstein, end of the war, and the considerable spread of protestantism throughout Germany.