A small reminder before you begin this podcast, guys.

If you would like to check out history podcasters by searching them in Google or iTunes,

then you'll come across an absolute treasure trove of collaborative efforts between all of us podcasters

as we try to band together and make a really special product.

On that podcast feed, there's episodes which include myself interviewing Benjamin

Ashwell from the Italian Unification podcast. There's also other interviews between other

podcasters, as well as collage episodes in which we all discuss a certain theme. I'd highly

recommend you check it out. That again is History Podcasters.

Thanks guys and enjoy the episode.

This is a war between God and the devil.

If he is with God, he must join me.

If he is for the devil, he must fight me.

There is no third way.

King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. Albrecht Venzhouer von Vollenstein knew he was on borrowed time. In 1629 his standing was at its peak.

His power was centered upon his command of the largest army seen at the time,

at least a hundred thousand men strong,

while his word was law throughout his domains,

and his prerogatives allowed him to appoint colonels, authorise recruitment,

and dismiss whomever he pleased.

His personal status as Duke of Freeland, Sagan and Mecklenburg placed him second only to

the six electors of the empire.

Rumors abounded that Wallenstein, having defeated the Danish king and his sympathizers and

...