Germany, 1626
Rain poured over parts of the city.
A troop of Danish soldiers advanced from Lower Saxony.
Tilly, the general and military leader of the Catholic League of Germany, watched from the hilltop at Lutter.
“They’re coming,” he said.
“Yes, it seems they have no strategy to fight us,” replied General Wallenstein with a smirk. “They can be defeated easily.”
Wallenstein was a Catholic general, commander of the Holy Roman Empire, and a strong rival to other generals such as Tilly. Tilly and Wallenstein were allies, but they could also be considered political and military rivals. They fought on the same side (Catholic) for most of the Thirty Years’ War.
The rain grew heavier. The ground turned slippery, wet, and damp.
“Prepare!” shouted Wallenstein.
Wallenstein’s imperial troops formed up, ready to face the Danish soldiers.
They were now only 90 meters apart. Wallenstein and his troops still waited on the hilltop, while the Danish soldiers halted their march.
“I will not let Protestants be crushed under the feet of southern oppressors! On this land, we fight not only to win but for our faith!” shouted Christian IV, King of Denmark and leader of his army.
“Your faith will not protect the Jutland Protestants from destruction, King of Denmark!” Wallenstein retorted.
Thunder rumbled in the distance. Christian IV raised his sword high, his eyes burning with resolve. “ADVANCE!” The Danish soldiers lifted their spears and charged up the slope, following their king’s command.
Shouts of determination rose from the Danish lines.
Heavy rain continued to pour over the mud and earth. Their boots sank, their banners weighed down by water.
The Catholic trumpets sounded, signaling the battle between the Catholic troops (Wallenstein) and the Protestant troops (Christian IV) had begun. Muskets fired, cannon shots struck the center ranks of the Danish army. Soldiers fell, formations slowly crumbled. Christian IV kept running forward, rallying his troops from the front.
“Keep going! For Denmark! For the Protestants! For God!” Christian IV roared.
Now, the two forces clashed directly. Both sides stabbed and slashed at each other. The fierce spirit of the Danish soldiers forced Wallenstein’s troops to fall back. Swords met spears, shields were smashed by maces. War cries mixed with the roar of thunder.
Because of the rain-soaked mud, the rear lines of the Danish troops became stuck, slowing their advance. The formation broke further, and Wallenstein’s troops pushed the Danes back. Christian IV tried to hold his lines together, but his troops scattered and began to flee.
“Wait! This is not our end!” shouted Christian IV. But no one heard him.
Christian IV watched as the officers beside him fell one by one to bullets and blades.
“Damn it!” he cursed. “Everyone, retreat now!”
The Danish troops retreated.
“Chase them!” Wallenstein shouted.
Wallenstein’s troops pursued them, advancing without resistance from the Danish forces. From Lutter all the way to Jutland, Danish fortresses fell one after another. Farmers fled. Towns fell silent. Denmark had no allies. Many people escaped to the island of Funen, and some were carried away by ship to safer places.