Battle Battle of Mühlberg



battle of mühlberg 1547 , imprisonment of elector johann friedrich of saxony (painting 1630, deutsches historisches museum)



titian s equestrian portrait of charles of spain , v of holy roman empire (1548) celebrates charles victory @ mühlberg


the imperial-spanish forces commanded emperor charles v , commander-in-chief in germany, don fernando Álvarez de toledo, duke of alba. schmalkaldic league s commanders not agree on military actions on battlefield, thereby allowing charles forces run through league s defences.


the emperor 47 years old @ time, , suffering gout. therefore carried battle in litter, rather on great warhorse in modern armour depicted court painter, titian.


the imperial-spanish army under duke of alba arrived on elbe river on 23 april , battle began in morning. charles tercios, spanish professional soldiers of high quality , german mercenaries, took advantage of morning mist outflank schmalkaldic forces. protestant troops taken surprise and, after token resistance, fled in panic.


the protestant army destroyed (over 7,000 dead or wounded , 1,000 prisoners) , various protestant leaders (including elector john frederick of saxony , landgrave philip of hesse) captured hungarian cavalry.








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