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Thanks to Colin for his support, and thanks to you, history friend, for listening. Now enjoy episode 57 of the 30 Years' War.

Hello and welcome History Friends, patrons all, to episode 57 of the 30 Years' War.

So last time, we saw Gustavus Adolphus attempt to ride the wave of momentum in Germany,

following his thumping victory at Brightonfeld in September 1631.

Surprisingly, perhaps, this mission proved easier said than done as money shortages german resistance

the recall of wallenstein and some uninspiring campaigns but the kibosh and any promise

gustavus may have made himself to gain another brightonfeld even with his invasion of bavaria

the effective collapse of germany before him and the presence of the Winter King in his camp,

Gustavus would have to work very hard indeed to force another pitched battle.

Those battles he did participate in, like against Tilly on the River Leck,

or against Wallenstein in his base at Alta Vest, were a far cry from the stunning destruction of

imperial forces which Brightonfeld had been. And as he had worked to make Brightonfeld part two,

Gustavus' enemies hadn't sat still, his allies had become somewhat apprehensive, and the money

continued to drain away into the bottomless pit of the army at approximately 100,000 men strong by spring 1632.

The pressure was certainly on, but by mid-November of that year, after smashing the speed limit and covering 650 kilometres in 17 days,

Gustavus reached the edge of Saxony and found Wallenstein still making his way ponderously

towards Leipzig. Like most sane observers, Volenstein had expected Gustavus to take it easy and rest

...