“Preparations” of Western Pomerania for the Thirty Years’ War

Abstract

When dramatic events took place in Bohemia (May 1618), which in consequence led to the outbreak of a great European conflict later called the Thirty Years’ War, Duke Francis I ascended the throne in Szczecin. He had a ‘condottiere’s mentality’, shaped by his numerous journeys around Europe. The new ruler was quite poorly educated, had no love for art, and preferred wine, horses and hunting over books. No wonder, that one of the main goals he set himself was the military reinforcement of Pomerania. He did so because the situation in the Empire was becoming less and less stable.1 He started his energetic actions in this matter on two fields. Firstly, he tried to initiate the construction of modern fortifications surrounding the medieval walls of Szczecin and secondly to create a small permanent army maintained by the Pomeranian estates. In the spring of 1619, Francis I organised a commission from some of the most experienced duke’s councillors to determine the necessary size of the Pomeranian army. After discussions, the councillors decided that a permanent army that would fully secure the