Albrecht von Wallenstein

Albrecht von Wallenstein (1583–1634) was a Bohemian nobleman and, after converting to Catholicism in 1606, supreme commander of Emperor Ferdinand II's armies in the Thirty Years' War. A wealthy widow's marriage and confiscated Bohemian rebel lands brought him estates. In 1625 he raised fifty thousand men at his own expense, routed the Protestants at Dessau Bridge in 1626 and became Duke of Friedland.

Dismissed in 1630, he was recalled after Swedish victories and checked Gustavus Adolphus at the Alte Veste in 1632. Secret peace talks in 1633 made the emperor brand him a traitor, and in February 1634 he was murdered at Eger.