CHAPTER VI.

STRALSUND AND ROCHELLE.

SECTION I.--_Fresh Successes of Wallenstein (August 1626-October 1627)._

1626 Divergence between the League and Wallenstein 98

Nov. Wallenstein advocates religious equality and the predominance of the army 98

1627 He persuades Ferdinand to increase his army, and is Jan. created Duke of Friedland, in spite of the growing dissatisfaction with his proceedings 100

May-Aug. The King of Denmark hopes to resist Tilly, but Wallenstein returns from Hungary, and gains possession of Silesia 101

Sept. 20. Defeat of the Margrave of Baden at Heiligenhafen 102

Oct. Christian IV. flies to the Island of Fünen, leaving Jutland to Wallenstein 102

SECTION II.--_Resistance to Wallenstein in the Empire (October 1627-February 1628)._

1627 Meeting of the Electors at Mühlhausen. They complain Oct. of Wallenstein 103

1628 The commercial towns of North Germany jealous of Wallenstein 105

Feb. The Emperor declares the Dukes of Mecklenburg to have forfeited their lands and titles, and pledges the territory to Wallenstein 106

Wallenstein tries in vain to gain over the Hanse Towns 106

He attempts to establish himself on the coast of the Baltic by getting possession of the towns 108

SECTION III.--_The Siege of Stralsund (August-February 1628)._

Feb. As Stralsund refuses to admit a garrison, it is attacked by Wallenstein's orders 108

May It is succoured by Denmark and Sweden 109

Aug. 3. The siege is raised 110

SECTION IV.--_The Siege of Rochelle (1625-1628)._

1625 Richelieu would have made peace with the Huguenots if he had been able 112

1626 An agreement is effected, but comes to nothing through the jealousy of Charles I. 112

1627 War between France and England, Buckingham's expedition to Rhé 113

Nov. Richelieu besieges Rochelle 114

1628 Mar. _Meeting of the third Parliament of Charles I._

May Failure of an English fleet to succour Rochelle 115

June _The Petition of Right granted_

Aug. Murder of the Duke of Buckingham 115

Nov. 1. Surrender of Rochelle 115

Contrast between France and Germany. Toleration granted to the Huguenots 116