Albrecht von Wallenstein

Albrecht von Wallenstein (1583-1634), also known as Albrecht z Valdštejna in Czech and Albrecht von Waldstein in German, was a Bohemian military leader and nobleman who played a significant role in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). Born into a Protestant family in the Kingdom of Bohemia (present-day Czech Republic), Wallenstein converted to Catholicism and rose to prominence under the patronage of Emperor Ferdinand II. He became one of the most influential and controversial figures of the war, commanding vast armies and amassing considerable power and wealth. Wallenstein's military prowess and strategic acumen were evident in his victories at the Battle of Dessau Bridge (1626) and the Battle of Lützen (1632). However, his growing influence and perceived ambition led to his eventual downfall. In 1634, Emperor Ferdinand II, influenced by rival factions at court, ordered Wallenstein's assassination, fearing he might defect to the enemy. Wallenstein's death marked a turning point in the Thirty Years' War, and his legacy remains a subject of historical debate.

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Bohemian military leader and statesman (1583–1634)

Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius von Wallenstein, Duke of Friedland, also von Waldstein, was a Bohemian military leader and statesman who fought on the Catholic side during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). His successful martial career made him one of the richest and most influential men in the Holy Roman Empire by the time of his death. Wallenstein became the supreme commander of the armies of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II and was a major figure of the Thirty Years' War. Albrecht von Wallenstein is considered one of the most important military leaders produced by the early modern period.

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