CHAPTER V.

INTERVENTION OF THE KING OF DENMARK.

SECTION I.--_Christian IV. and Gustavus Adolphus (1624)._

Character and position of Christian IV., King of Denmark 78

Genius of Gustavus Adolphus 79

Sketch of the earlier part of his reign 80

His interest in German affairs 82

SECTION II.--_English Diplomacy (August 1624-July 1625)._

1624 The Kings of Denmark and Sweden asked by James Aug. I. to join him in recovering the Palatinate 84

1625 The English Government, thinking the demands of Jan. Gustavus exorbitant, forms an alliance with Christian IV. 85

June _Meeting of the first Parliament of Charles I._

June Gustavus directs his forces against Poland 86

Mar. 27. Death of James I. Accession of Charles I. 86

July 18. Christian IV., at the head of the Circle of Lower Saxony, enters upon war with the army of the League commanded by Tilly 87

Aug. _Dissolution of the first Parliament of Charles I._

SECTION III.--_Wallenstein's Armament (July 1625-February 1626)._

The Emperor needs more forces 87

Wallenstein offers to raise an army for him. Account of Wallenstein's early life 89

The system by which the army is to be supported is to be one of forced contributions 90

Oppressive burdens laid thereby on the country 91

Wallenstein enters the dioceses of Magdeburg and Halberstadt, and lies quietly there during the winter 92

1626 Failure of negotiations for peace 93 Feb.

SECTION IV.--_Defeat of Mansfeld and Christian IV. (February-August 1626)._

1626 Numerical superiority on the side of the King of Feb. Denmark, but the Imperialists are superior in other respects 94

Failure of the supplies promised to Christian by Charles I. 95

Feb. _Meeting of the second Parliament of Charles I.--Impeachment of Buckingham_

Ap. 25. Mansfeld defeated by Wallenstein at the Bridge of Dessau 96

June _Dissolution of the second Parliament of Charles I._

Aug. 27. Christian IV. defeated by Tilly at Lutter 97

Wallenstein pursues Mansfeld into Hungary 97