The

The Hi, this is a history of Europe Key Battles podcast, and it's the seventh and final part on the 30 Years' War.

On the 6th of September 1634 at the Battle of Nordlingen, the Swedish army suffered a

crushing defeat at the hands of the Imperial Army.

Up until the fateful Battle of Lutzen four years before, the Swedes and their Protestant allies

had swept victorously across Central Europe. But everything changed in Lutzen with the death

of their King Gustavus Adolphus. The reigns of power in Stockholm were taken up by the chief minister Axel Auctionsterner,

who wanted to extricate his forces from central and southern Germany,

but on terms where he could retain as much of the gains in northern Germany as possible,

especially along the Baltic coastline.

The new... in northern Germany as possible, especially along the Baltic coastline. The news of the Swedish defeat at Nordlingen was a shock to the Chief Minister in France,

Cardinal Eretius Lowe. He immediately realised the danger that France faced if the Habsburgs

swept the Swedes away completely

and advised the king that the time for Coval War was over.

France was actively engaged militarily to protect themselves and re-establish the balance of power

in Germany. Having said that, France's finances were in poor shape, as were her army, so she needed a few months to prepare for open war.

French diplomatic efforts were stepped up across Europe.

On the 8th of February, 1635, a Franco-Dutch alliance was concluded, providing for a joint invasion of the Spanish Netherlands.

This was followed on 28th of April by a new treaty of the Swedes at Compain.

And in May, French diplomats prevailed upon the Polish government to reconfirm the truce of

Altmark of Sweden. Fighting continued meanwhile in the Empire, the principal

Swedish army under the command of Field Marshal Johann Banner tried unsuccessfully to reach Bohemia,

...