Thirty Years’ War
The Duke of Marlborough: Masterstroke at Blenheim
By Jonas L. GoldsteinWhen Louis XIV assumed the throne of France in 1661, Europe was at peace. He acknowledged as much in his memoirs: “Everything was quiet everywhere. Read more
Thirty Years’ War
Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Duke of Cumberland
By Arnold BlumbergThe election of the Protestant Frederick V, Elector of the Palatine, to the throne of Bohemia instead of the Catholic Hapsburg, Ferdinand of Austria, sparked what was to become the Thirty Years War. Read more
Thirty Years’ War
Trampled Banners: The Battle of Nördlingen (1634)
By William E. WelshFrom within the walled city of Nördlingen in the Upper Palatinate, a lone rocket arced slowly skyward on the night of September 3, 1634. Read more
Thirty Years’ War
Decision at the Battle of the Dunes
By Roy Morris Jr.The cold North Sea surf washed over the boots of the advancing English infantry of Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army as they tromped through the drifting sand dunes across the beach at Dunkirk on the morning of June 14, 1658. Read more
Thirty Years’ War
Fehrbellin: The Battle that Made Prussia
By Louis CiotolaFor nearly two and a half centuries, Prussia celebrated June 28 as a birthday of sorts. On that date in 1675, the Prussians achieved the start of their proud military tradition. Read more
Thirty Years’ War
The Vicomte de Turenne
By Arnold BlumbergThe French conquest of Lorraine was nearly complete by March 1634 during the Thirty Years War. The only place of importance still in the hands of Duke Charles of Lorraine, a Hapsburg commander, was the fortress of La Motte, which was encircled by a French army under Marechal La Force. Read more
Thirty Years’ War
The Lion’s Last Roar
By Eric NiderostKing Gustavus II Adolphus of Sweden rode forward confidently, digging his heels into Streiff, his war horse, signaling the animal to quicken his pace and jump the ditch that was just ahead. Read more
Thirty Years’ War
Spanish Disaster at Rocroi
By William WelshFive hundred Spanish musketeers filed into the dim forest on the southern edge of a wooded plain south of the border fort at Rocroi, France, at dusk on May 18, 1643. Read more
Thirty Years’ War
Fire By Volley: European Musketry at War
By Gustav PersonOn the snowy field of Mollwitz, Poland, on April 10, 1741, newly installed King Frederick II of Prussia faced a formidable army of Austria. Read more
Thirty Years’ War
King Billy at the Boyne River
By Eric NiderostOn March 12, 1689, James II, recently deposed king of England, landed in Ireland in a last-ditch attempt to regain his throne. Read more
