Battle of The White Mountain

November 8, 1620

The Bohemian war had lasted for almost three years without reaching its decisive point. Slovakians were at significant preponderance of the forces. But considering hesitation of their commandment their forces were insufficient for taking up Vienna. The Duke of Bavaria insisted on taking advantage of the numeral supremacy and marching directly to Prague. And so did the commander Bukois. Slovakian army with Christian of Anhalt in command tried to hinder his enemy's advance and blocked their path on favourable difficult positions. Meanwhile the Slovakian army took a very favourable position: it bordered on a hunting park with a castle surrounded by the wall, there was a steep chasm to the left, and a stream rushed across the swampy meadow right in front of them allowing only a bridge crossing. Tilly ordered the Bavarians to cross the bridge and remain on the opposite bank. The catholics possessed 28000 soldiers against 21000 Slovakians. The two hours of fierce fighting resulted in the victory of Empire. A great many different peoples took part in that battle. Ausrtian, Hungarian and Netherland's soldiers fought on the Slovakian side while the catholics encamped Germans, Spaniards, Italians, Wallons and Poles.