Won by the Sword
A Tale of the Thirty Years War
📘 About This Book
Excerpt from Won by the Sword: A Tale of the Thirty Years War In my preface to the Lion of the North I expressed a hope that I might some day be able to continue the history of the Thirty Years' War. The deaths of Gustavus and bis great rival Wallenstein, and the crushing defeat of the Swedes and their allies at the battle of Nordlingen, brought the first period of that war to a close. Hostilities, indeed, never ceased, but the Swedes no longer played the leading part on the Protestant side that they had hitherto occupied. Oxenstiern, the great chancellor of Sweden, saw that the only hope of eventual success lay in engaging France in the struggle, and he and the Duke of Weimar went to Paris and pointed out to Richelieu that unless France intervened, Austria must become the master of all Germany, and as the ally of Spain would have it in her power to completely dominate France. Richelieu perceived the opportunity, made a treaty with the Swedes and Weimar, and engaged to grant large subsidies to the former, and to send an army to co-operate with the latter. Then began the second period of this long and terrible struggle, France now taking the place that Sweden had hitherto occupied, and bearing the brunt of the conflict. She emerged triumphant, with her territories largely increased, while Austria was crushed and humiliated, and Spain was dethroned from her position as the dominating power of Europe. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
📖 Summary
Won by the Sword by G. A. Henty is a historical fiction novel set against the turbulent and devastating backdrop of the Thirty Years War. As a follow-up to the author's previous work, The Lion of the North, this narrative picks up the historical thread after the deaths of the great leaders Gustavus and Wallenstein, and the crushing defeat of the Swedes and their allies at the battle of Nordlingen. These monumental events brought the first major period of the Thirty Years War to a dramatic close. Although hostilities never truly ceased, the Swedish forces could no longer maintain their dominant leadership role on the Protestant side of the conflict. Recognizing the dire situation, Oxenstiern, the brilliant chancellor of Sweden, understood that the only viable hope for eventual Protestant success lay in drawing France directly into the struggle. To achieve this, Oxenstiern and the Duke of Weimar journeyed to Paris to negotiate with the powerful Cardinal Richelieu, pointing out the stark reality that unless France intervened decisively, the House of Austria would inevitably become the master of all Germany. Within this sweeping geopolitical framework, Henty weaves a tale of adventure, military strategy, and personal valor. The novel immerses readers in the complex alliances, political maneuvers, and battlefield realities of seventeenth-century Europe. Through the eyes of compelling characters navigating this era of unprecedented upheaval, the book explores how great nations shift the balance of power and how ordinary individuals find themselves caught in the machinery of continental war. Henty meticulously details the historical transitions of the era, offering a rich narrative that bridges the gap between textbook history and engaging storytelling. Readers are taken through the diplomatic halls of Paris and the war-torn landscapes of the Holy Roman Empire, witnessing firsthand the desperate gambles made by statesmen and soldiers alike. The 445-page volume serves as both an entertaining historical adventure and an informative exploration of a pivotal epoch in European history, capturing the endurance of human spirit amidst widespread devastation and shifting political tides.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Provides a vivid and engaging narrative based on genuine historical events of the seventeenth century.
Successfully bridges complex geopolitical strategy with an entertaining fictional story.
Offers a detailed look at the later stages of the Thirty Years War following the Swedish defeats.
Features rich context regarding the diplomatic efforts between Sweden and France.
⚠️ Cons
The dense historical context may occasionally slow down the pacing for casual readers.
Reflects the nineteenth-century writing style and perspectives of its author, which modern readers might find dated.
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Won by the Sword? +
The book was written by G. A. Henty.
What historical event is the setting for the novel? +
The story is set during the Thirty Years War, specifically following the battle of Nordlingen and the deaths of Gustavus and Wallenstein.
How many pages does the 2015 edition have? +
This edition contains 445 pages.
What major political move does Swedish Chancellor Oxenstiern attempt? +
He travels to Paris with the Duke of Weimar to persuade Cardinal Richelieu and France to intervene in the struggle against Austria.
Is this book related to any of the author's previous works? +
Yes, it serves as a continuation of the history of the Thirty Years War that the author began in The Lion of the North.
