March 5: Battle of Jankau

The Edict of Restitution of 1618 demanded that the protestant leaders return their lands to Roman Catholic rule. When Germany refused to give in to the Holy Roman Empire, they faced war once again. The 30 years war that ensued was one of the bloodiest in European history.

The Catholic Hapsburg’s began capturing protestant territories throughout Europe. Protestant cities were falling at every turn, and Germany began to lose hope of protecting their lands and their beliefs. It was then that Sweden intervened.

Sweden had largely accepted protestant Lutheranism, and was sympathetic to the plight of the Germans. When Sweden felt its own power threatened by the expanding empire, it chose to act. The beloved King and brilliant general, Gustavus Adolphus (pictured above), led his army of outnumbered Swedes to victory after victory in Bohemia.

When the Imperial troops assumed that the fighting would break for the winter, the northern Swedes leveled a surprise attack that devastated their enemies. Unfortunately, Adolphus fell in the battle. Unshaken, his fighters continued to aid the protestant cause.

On March 5, 1644, the Swedish troops won a decisive victory at Jankau, in present day Czech Republic. Emperor Ferdinand III was forced to give up his campaign. The battle eventually led to the signing of the treaty of Westphalia, which guaranteed peace between the two sides after thirty years of fighting.

The Swedes intervened in the most hopeless time, defending Germany from Imperial invasion. The victory at Jankau protected the Lutheran lands and helped to cement the protestant faith.

Verse of the day: Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.