Battle of Vlotho
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Vlotho was the culmination of an attempt by Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine
to launch a campaign with the aim of recapturing the Rhenish Palatinate. Charles Louis' defeat marked the last time either Palatine or English forces played an important role in the Thirty Years' War
.
, the Winter King, had died in 1632. The desire to recover the Palatinate, which had sparked English intervention in the Thirty Years' War in the previous years was at this point disregarded by most. In 1638 Charles Louis, 2nd son and heir of Frederick made one last attempt to recover his territories. Choosing as his base of operations the town of Meppen
, on the Münster
-East Frisia
n frontier, he raised a force of 4000 men using English gold. Alongside Charles Louis were his brother Rupert and a company of English gallants dedicated to the Winter Queen
, including Spencer Compton, 2nd Marquess of Northampton
and William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven. James King, a Scottish mercenary commanding the Swedish forces in Westphalia promised them his assistance.
To counter the Palatine army, Imperial general Melchior von Hatzfeldt was sent north and instructed to raise an army of 4500 men from the Westphalian garrisons. In May Hatzfeldt launched a surprise attack on Meppen, scattering the Palatine forces and capturing their artillery. Charles Louis retreated south with 1700 survivors and took cover in Cleves, protected by Dutch forces. In Autumn he marched back north, joining James King and his Swedish forces in Stadtlohn
, to try to recapture Meppen.
The town, however, was held too strongly by the imperial forces. At this point the East Frisians flooded the frontier to deny entry to both armies, while the Hessians
refused to join what they regarded as a fool's errand. Charles Louis headed East, hoping to capture Lemgo
and use it as a new base closer to Swedish territory.
. However the faster Imperial cavalry managed to outpace the Palatines and cut off their path at Vlotho bridge. Prince Rupert and King attempted a charge on the enemy line using Swedish cavalry but the attempt failed, Rupert was captured at this point by Walter Devereux
, Wallenstein's assassin. King managed to escape to Minden with only five companions. Charles Louis tried to escape in his coach but it sank in the Weser. He survived by clutching a branch and managed to return to his Dutch exile.
in Austria
for three years. Resisting attempts to convert him to Catholicism, Rupert alleviated his years of captivity by learning the art of engraving, by studying military textbooks and manuals, and by a love affair with the daughter of the governor of Linz. Thanks to the diplomatic efforts of King Charles I
(1625–49), King of England, he was released in October 1641 on condition that he would never again bear arms against the Holy Roman Emperor
.
The defeat was the last gasp of the Palatine cause and English intervention in the war. Soon the start of the English Civil War
prompted he return of most British soldiers and officers.
Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine
Charles Louis, , Elector Palatine KG was the second son of Frederick V of the Palatinate, the "Winter King" of Bohemia, and his wife, Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King James I of England ....
to launch a campaign with the aim of recapturing the Rhenish Palatinate. Charles Louis' defeat marked the last time either Palatine or English forces played an important role in the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
.
Background
Frederick VFrederick V, Elector Palatine
Frederick V was Elector Palatine , and, as Frederick I , King of Bohemia ....
, the Winter King, had died in 1632. The desire to recover the Palatinate, which had sparked English intervention in the Thirty Years' War in the previous years was at this point disregarded by most. In 1638 Charles Louis, 2nd son and heir of Frederick made one last attempt to recover his territories. Choosing as his base of operations the town of Meppen
Meppen, Germany
Meppen is a town in and the seat of the Emsland district of Lower Saxony, Germany, at the confluence of the Ems, Hase, and Nordradde rivers and the Dortmund-Ems canal...
, on the Münster
Münster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
-East Frisia
East Frisia
East Frisia or Eastern Friesland is a coastal region in the northwest of the German federal state of Lower Saxony....
n frontier, he raised a force of 4000 men using English gold. Alongside Charles Louis were his brother Rupert and a company of English gallants dedicated to the Winter Queen
Elizabeth of Bohemia
Elizabeth of Bohemia was the eldest daughter of King James VI and I, King of Scotland, England, Ireland, and Anne of Denmark. As the wife of Frederick V, Elector Palatine, she was Electress Palatine and briefly Queen of Bohemia...
, including Spencer Compton, 2nd Marquess of Northampton
Spencer Compton, 2nd Marquess of Northampton
Spencer Joshua Alwyne Compton, 2nd Marquess of Northampton , known as Lord Compton from 1796 to 1812 and as Earl Compton from 1812 to 1828, was a British nobleman and patron of science and the arts....
and William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven. James King, a Scottish mercenary commanding the Swedish forces in Westphalia promised them his assistance.
To counter the Palatine army, Imperial general Melchior von Hatzfeldt was sent north and instructed to raise an army of 4500 men from the Westphalian garrisons. In May Hatzfeldt launched a surprise attack on Meppen, scattering the Palatine forces and capturing their artillery. Charles Louis retreated south with 1700 survivors and took cover in Cleves, protected by Dutch forces. In Autumn he marched back north, joining James King and his Swedish forces in Stadtlohn
Stadtlohn
Stadtlohn is a town in the north-west of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, part of the district Borken. The Berkel river flows through it on its way to the Netherlands.-Division of the town:Stadtlohn consists of 9 districts:* Almsick* Büren* Estern...
, to try to recapture Meppen.
The town, however, was held too strongly by the imperial forces. At this point the East Frisians flooded the frontier to deny entry to both armies, while the Hessians
Hesse-Kassel
The Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel or Hesse-Cassel was a state in the Holy Roman Empire under Imperial immediacy that came into existence when the Landgraviate of Hesse was divided in 1567 upon the death of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. His eldest son William IV inherited the northern half and the...
refused to join what they regarded as a fool's errand. Charles Louis headed East, hoping to capture Lemgo
Lemgo
Lemgo is a city in the Lippe district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with a population of c. 42,000.It was founded in the 12th century by Bernhard II at the crossroad of two merchant routes. Lemgo was a member of the Hanseatic League, a medieval trading association of free cities in several...
and use it as a new base closer to Swedish territory.
The Battle
While the Palatine forces were laying siege to Lemgo, Hatzfeldt's pursuit caught up with them, causing a further retreat attempt towards MindenMinden
Minden is a town of about 83,000 inhabitants in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The town extends along both sides of the river Weser. It is the capital of the Kreis of Minden-Lübbecke, which is part of the region of Detmold. Minden is the historic political centre of the...
. However the faster Imperial cavalry managed to outpace the Palatines and cut off their path at Vlotho bridge. Prince Rupert and King attempted a charge on the enemy line using Swedish cavalry but the attempt failed, Rupert was captured at this point by Walter Devereux
Walter Devereux
Walter Devereux may refer to:*Walter Devereux , Lord Chancellor of Ireland 1449–c.1451*Walter Devereux, 7th Baron Ferrers of Chartley . Son of the above. A Yorkist politician and military officer during the Wars of the Roses...
, Wallenstein's assassin. King managed to escape to Minden with only five companions. Charles Louis tried to escape in his coach but it sank in the Weser. He survived by clutching a branch and managed to return to his Dutch exile.
Aftermath
Rupert was taken prisoner and held at LinzLinz
Linz is the third-largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria . It is located in the north centre of Austria, approximately south of the Czech border, on both sides of the river Danube. The population of the city is , and that of the Greater Linz conurbation is about...
in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
for three years. Resisting attempts to convert him to Catholicism, Rupert alleviated his years of captivity by learning the art of engraving, by studying military textbooks and manuals, and by a love affair with the daughter of the governor of Linz. Thanks to the diplomatic efforts of King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
(1625–49), King of England, he was released in October 1641 on condition that he would never again bear arms against the Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
.
The defeat was the last gasp of the Palatine cause and English intervention in the war. Soon the start of the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
prompted he return of most British soldiers and officers.